Stranger Things was without a doubt one of the most popular new series of 2016, with the supernatural sci-fi series debuting on streaming service Netflix and becoming yet another brilliant addition to the platform’s original series roster.
Winona Ryder in Stranger Things / Credit: Netflix
Following a group of youngsters who are all searching for their missing best friend, it soon became apparent that this child abduction was like no other. In fact, Will Byers had been dragged into a parallel dimension where evil reigned supreme, and from that moment on audiences were hooked.
Co-creators Matt and Ross Duffer, in a conversation with Vulture, explained that the series wasn’t originally going to be so PG: “The Eleven character, the kind of powers she has and to have a young protagonist that’s violent – it’s not E.T. It’s not a happy situation. She’s killing people, and brutally murdering them.”
Matt added: “The original pilot was much more violent. It was originally like an R-rated thing. Winona [Ryder]’s character was like, ‘Eff this, eff that!’ It felt a little bit unnecessary. I don’t feel like we sacrificed anything by toning it down little bit.”
Bringing the level of violence down was obviously a great move on behalf of the Duffer brothers. In a time where shows such as The Walking Dead are being blasted for going too far with their gory scenes, Stranger Things actually allowed a wider scope of viewers to access it by toning things down. That’s not to say the series is one that people of all ages are watching – because there are certainly scary moments throughout – but the level of comfort of those watching has to be a little higher than it would have been if those brutal scenes described had remained.
Stranger Things will return to Netflix for its second season later this year.
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