Stranger Things returned in 2016 with a truly remarkable first season, and while the second wasn’t quite as impressive, it was still enjoyable. I had high hopes for this third installment, especially given what is arguably the best group of young actors ever assembled on screen. The performances are exceptional, particularly considering the ages of most of the performers—Millie Bobby Brown is only 15! It's surprising that the show isn’t eligible for Emmy consideration until next year, but if she doesn't receive a nomination and win, I honestly don’t know what more she could do to prove herself. Her ability to convey emotion with such subtlety and nuance—something typically achieved by experienced actors after years of work—is astonishing; she is destined to break records for the youngest Best Actress or Best Supporting Actress winner. I began my praise with her because last season I highlighted Noah Schnapp (Will Byers), who also delivered a strong performance, even though his character has less to do this time around, similar to what happened in the first season. However, Millie’s talent seems to surpass that of her colleagues, which unintentionally diminishes Sadie Sink's (Max) performance. While Sadie is certainly capable and I greatly enjoyed both her acting and her character this season, it can be difficult to connect with another character's emotional response when compared to Eleven's full display of feeling. The truth is, they simply aren’t on the same level. Beyond Millie Bobby Brown, David Harbour as Jim Hopper stands out significantly. This might be the funniest season so far, but also one of its most emotionally resonant moments—both qualities stemming from Hopper's storyline and Harbour's outstanding performance. He’s comedic, cheerful, sad, angry, drunk, frustrated, proud... His arc is central to the structure of this season; without it, the show wouldn't be nearly as good. The chemistry between Harbour and Winona Ryder (Joyce Byers) is undeniable, which alone was enough to make for an enjoyable experience. However, credit must also go to The Duffer Brothers, whose writing represents some of the best work I’ve seen in recent years. While Steve Harrington (Joe Keery) was disliked in the first season, his character development has been so well-handled that he's now a fan favorite. The same can be said for Billy Hargrove (Dacre Montgomery). Although his backstory isn't particularly original, he’s become much more compelling—a testament to the fact that Stranger Things doesn't really have any truly bad characters, whether they are main or supporting roles. Max also benefits from a better script and increased screen time with Eleven, which has made her character more interesting. But what about the core group? Gaten Matarazzo (Dustin Henderson) spends less time with his original friends, but his adventure with Steve, Erica Sinclair (Priah Ferguson), and Robin Buckley (Maya Hawke)—the best surprise of the season—is also entertaining, even if it’s connected to one of my concerns. Mike Wheeler (Finn Wolfhard), Lucas Sinclair (Caleb McLaughlin), Will, Eleven, and Max have a romantic subplot that I found surprisingly enjoyable thanks to The Duffer Brothers' realistic and heartfelt writing. Naturally, comedy is always present within this group, and I wasn’t disappointed by the laughs throughout the episodes. Similarly, Charlie Heaton (Jonathan Byers) and Natalia Dyer (Nancy Wheeler) share an inspiring journey that explores what life was like in the 1980s—dealing with discrimination, workplace injustices, and different lifestyles through realistic dialogue and events. I really appreciated this aspect of the season's structure, as it allows each group of characters to have their own distinct storyline before ultimately uniting to confront the evil within Hawkins. I never felt bored or disengaged from the narrative. Season 2 suffered from a lackluster episode featuring Kali (Linnea Berthelson), and some episodes dragged on. Season 3 not only has ideal episode lengths, but each chapter delivers a consistently captivating story. Of course, I always find myself most invested when Eleven and Hopper are on screen, so their storylines remain my favorites. However, they don’t detract from the other stories or characters. The ending of the show is proof of that—it's difficult not to get emotional during those final moments, especially if you've experienced similar situations. Technically, the series demonstrates that a large budget isn't necessary to create visually appealing content. From the costumes to the 80s-inspired soundtrack, everything feels authentic, with plenty of practical effects used. The CGI for the monsters and related elements is convincing enough, and the action sequences are generally well-executed; the editing does become slightly sloppy towards the end, but it’s not a major issue. My main concern lies with the central plot itself. The thread connecting all the subplots and character groups I've praised feels too similar to last season—a monster appears, possesses people, and so on. It’s even worse in terms of explaining how and why the monsters returned, with an over-the-top storyline involving Russians, secret bases, and codes that borders on absurdity, reminiscent of "Fast and Furious." It's unusual for the main plot to be as cliché and uninteresting while the side stories are so remarkable. Overall, Stranger Things delivers another fantastic season. While the first season remains the best, Season 3 is significantly better than its predecessor. The characters continue to be what makes this show a success. Even when divided into different groups, the cast's chemistry shines through. Millie Bobby Brown reclaims her spot as the standout performer from Season 2, Noah Schnapp, and sets herself up for numerous nominations and hopefully some awards thanks to her impressive emotional range. David Harbour follows closely behind, with the rest of the ensemble cast being among the best on television. The Duffer Brothers are masterful writers, crafting well-developed character scripts alongside funny, exciting, and entertaining side stories. Despite a weaker main plot, Stranger Things concludes this season with its strongest ending yet. If you didn’t cry during the last 10 minutes… I don't know. I eagerly await Season 4, though I would also be content if the series ended here. Rating: A-

Source on TMDB