After an 18-month hiatus, on July 4th, season 3 of Stranger Things will transport us back to Hawkins, Indiana in 1985.
The release date is mysteriously significant, as both a patriotic US holiday, but also as a reflection of the time period that the show will be set during (think back to Chapter 1 of Season 2, which was released in October in anticipation of the show’s Halloween episode).
Despite the intensity of Season 2 (RIP Bob “Samwise the Brave” Newby), and that the Duffer brothers have confirmed Season 3 would be their “grossest” (yikes), the showrunners have noted that it would also be “their most unapologetically fun” season.
Think the booming bromance between Steve Harrington and Dustin. Think beautifully placed 1985 references like New Coke and Mötley Crüe’s “Home Sweet Home”. Think the re-emergence of Billy as a Draconian lifeguard, as shown in the Fast Times at Ridgemont High throwback in the show’s most recent promo.
Say hello to new characters like Robin, who will be played by Maya Hawke, the daughter of acting power couple Ethan Hawke (Training Day) and Uma Thurman (Kill Bill). She will work with Steve at “Scoops Ahoy”, and has been described as an alternative girl, who is sharp and playful. Hawke has an upcoming role in Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.
Monsters are a necessity in the Stranger Things landscape of tentacles, Demogorgons and the Upside Down. The Duffer brothers have hinted that they were inspired by John Carpenter’s The Thing, in their creation of this season, which bodes well for the film’s horror prowess and terribly for our sleep.
While you eagerly await what’s to come, perhaps play a game of Stranger Things Dungeons & Dragons, or check out our Season 3 trailer-breakdown.
