Voice of Real Australia is a regular newsletter from ACM, which has journalists in every state and territory. Sign up here to get it by email, or here to forward it to a friend. Today's was written by Audience Engagement Producer Kayla Osborne.
The Goonies. Silence of the Lambs. War of the Worlds. Dungeons and Dragons. Lord of the Rings.
All cultural phenomena in their own time.
But the very best of what made those books, shows, movies and games so iconic is captured in Netflix's series Stranger Things.
Now in it's fourth season, the show is arguably one of the best out there. No joke, I would argue with you about that fact.
Growing up in the 90s with parents who grew up in the late 70s and early 80s has gifted me with a deep love of popular culture.
I watched just about every 80's teen movie available, my first album was News of the World by Queen on cassette tape (sorry, gen Z) and I rocked some interesting fashion as a 90's kid.
I found Star Wars, Lord of the Rings and other sci-fi/fantasy stories on my own.
So imagine the pure joy I felt when the Duffer Brothers bought a show that captured all of that cheesy 80's goodness to life, with a heaping side of sci-fi and fantasy.
If you've never seen it, firstly, why? And secondly, I'll keep this spoiler free so you can jump on Netflix right after this and binge it until you know what a Mindflayer and Demogorgon are.
You might even find a new meaning for 'Watergate' along the way.
The show's true genius lies in it's characters. Each one more loveable than the next.
Even characters introduced for a short amount of time seem to capture the hearts of audiences around the world (anyone remember those 'Justice for Barb' shirts from a few years ago?).
But does it have a good story?
No.
It has a great story! I know, I know, at this point it sounds like I am being paid to write this, but I promise neither Netflix or the Duffer Brothers have been in contact.
It's the same show responsible for Kate Bush's 1985 song Running Up That Hill currently being the number one song in the country.
However, it was Placebo's version that I jammed out to in my not-so-wild youth.
If you often find yourself looking back fondly on the shows of your youth, then this one is for you.
If Stand By Me, Alien, Carrie, ET, Firestarter, Nightmare on Elm Street, Gremlins, or any of the content I mentioned earlier has a soft spot in your heart, then give Stranger Things a go.
The final episodes of this season will be released on Netflix on July 1. But be warned - once you've watched episode one, you won't want to stop.
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