Uncovering Stranger Things: Essays on Eighties Nostalgia, Cynicism and Innocence in the Series edited by Kevin J. Wetmore, Jr.

McFarland, 2018

ISBN-13: 9781476671864

Available:  Paperback, Kindle edition

Uncovering Stranger Things presents 23 essays exploring how the show uses the lens of ’80s pop culture to shape the viewer’s understanding of the decade, albeit through distorted memory. The research and analysis in each chapter is valuable and reinforces the idea that popular culture materials have academic value, while making the material approachable by readers interested in taking a closer look at their favourite series.

The first section focuses on popular culture, looking at the influence of Stephen King with a comparison of films like IT, Stand By Me, and others; the rise of synthwave and post-punk music and their influence on Stranger Things; the rise and competition of nostalgia in Mad Men and Stranger Things; Columbian television audiences and ’80s television (which made me find reruns of ALF); and, of course, how Dungeons and Dragons is a positive driving force in Stranger Things. As someone who grew up during the Satanic Panic and just joined a new Classic, red book D&D table, this is particularly poignant and timely information.

The second section of the book deals with cinema and its influence on Stranger Things. The comparisons and critiques of the show to films such as the original Halloween, A Nightmare on Elm Street, The Breakfast Club, Firestarter, Bride of Re-Animator, Scanners, and, arguably one of the most essential dissections, John Carpenter’s The Thing, are all valuable in understanding the world of Stranger Things. The chapter on the comparison of 80s and current Winona Ryder’s characters was interesting in that her younger characters were firmly rooted in the upper middle-class tax bracket while the character of Joyce Byers is a working class low-income single mother, and how the reflection of Reagan-era economics misled and damaged 80s families. This section would not be complete without an analysis of Spielberg’s films and their inversion in Stranger Things.

The third section unpacks a lot on gender and orientation. From gender politics to queer theory, the authors tackled so much valuable content: the monstrous feminine, Reagan-era politics and the AIDS crisis, bullying and bad 1980s parenting, and conservatism and treatment of female characters (in particular, a great analysis on how the badass moments of Joyce Byers and Karen Wheeler aren’t as badass as the Duffer Brothers think they are) are all addressed.

The fourth section digs more into the culture, politics, and society of the 80s, including the illusion of the nuclear family; an interesting critique of Chief Hopper, his interactions with the characters, and his environment; the idea that viewers (especially of a certain age) are invested in the “in-between” of having lived in the 80s and reflecting on them simultaneously through Stranger Things; education policy reform in the Reagan era; distrust of the government; and what exactly is the strangest thing about Stranger Things.

The book is perfect for the academic and horror fan alike. Constant themes run through each chapter, namely nostalgia and Reagan-era politics. I grew up in this time period, so reading the various analyses brings me, I think, a uniquely 80s reaction to the content. This is not to say others won’t “get it”, because they absolutely will. However, reliving the 80s through memory and through the series may have a different effect on those of us who lived it. I think all of the contributors to this book have valid and valuable observations on the show and the era it harkens from.  Highly recommended.

Contains: spoilers

Reviewed by Lizzy Walker