Chris and Will Exclusive Spotlight Review: Tales From ’85 Brings Hawkins Back—Delightfully Animated
- Chris and Will Press
- Apr 23
- 4 min read
Courtesy of: NETFLIX
Written By: Chris and Will Press
Netflix Has Done It Again—But This Time, It Looks Back
Stranger Things fans are gathering once more, drawn back into Hawkins for what could easily have been just another extension of a beloved franchise. But before looking forward, it’s worth looking back.
When Stranger Things arrived on Netflix in 2016, it didn’t simply become a hit—it became a moment. What began as a nostalgia‑soaked sci‑fi gamble quickly grew into one of the defining television experiences of the streaming era. At its core, the series succeeded because it never lost sight of what mattered most: friendship, fear, curiosity, and the uncomfortable ache of growing up before you’re ready.
Set in the fictional town of Hawkins, Indiana, Stranger Things balanced Spielberg‑style wonder with Stephen King‑esque dread. Kids rode bikes straight into danger, adults carried emotional scars, and the Upside Down loomed as both a physical threat and a metaphor for everything left unsaid. Over five seasons, that balance shifted—the stakes grew higher, the mythology deeper, and the tone noticeably darker. The show matured because its characters did.
By the time the fifth and final season concluded in late 2025, Stranger Things felt complete. The kids were no longer kids. Hawkins had endured more trauma than any small Indiana town should reasonably survive. And most importantly, the story reached an emotional full stop rather than overstaying its welcome. Ending it there felt intentional—and earned.
But closing the book on Hawkins didn’t mean the universe stopped echoing.
Enter Stranger Things: Tales From ’85, Netflix’s first on‑screen spin‑off of the franchise. Instead of pushing the story forward, this new animated series takes a smarter—and riskier—approach by looking back. Set during the winter of 1985, between Seasons 2 and 3, Tales From ’85 slips into a space fans never fully experienced onscreen: the uneasy calm after Eleven closed the gate, but before Hawkins learned that peace was only temporary.
This creative decision matters. Rather than chasing bigger spectacles or trying to replicate the emotional weight of later seasons, Tales From ’85 intentionally rewinds the clock to a time when the world still felt smaller. The kids aren’t saving reality yet; they’re fighting to protect their town, their friendships, and the fragile sense of normalcy they’ve only just reclaimed.
Stylistically, the move to animation acts as a quiet reset. Inspired by 1980s Saturday‑morning cartoons, the series softens its visual edges without erasing tension. It’s brighter, faster, and more accessible—but it still understands the soul of Stranger Things. The monsters may be different, but those uneasy bike rides into the unknown remain unmistakably familiar.
What Tales From ’85 promises isn’t escalation.
It’s perspective.
The creators have been clear: this series exists to let audiences “hang out” with these characters again—to see how they lived in the emotional aftermath of trauma before every problem became world‑ending. It’s a return to mystery over mythology, curiosity over catastrophe. That choice alone signals respect for both the original series and its fandom.
Of course, nostalgia is a risky tool. Revisiting a beloved era can either deepen appreciation or expose just how rare that initial lightning strike was. The real question going into Tales From ’85 isn’t whether we needed more Stranger Things—it’s whether this chapter understands why the original worked in the first place.
That’s where our spotlight review begins.
Chris and Will were given early access to the entire season ahead of its Netflix launch on April 23. As longtime fans of the franchise, their anticipation ran high.
“Loving the original series, we were excited for the opportunity to review Tales From ’85,” they shared. “The animation instantly transported us back to being kids—waking up early just to catch Saturday‑morning cartoons before going back to bed. The series is pure nostalgia and a meaningful return to the world of Stranger Things.”
Chris and Will became part of the Stranger Things fandom without even realizing it. Between them, they’ve rewatched the full five‑season run nearly a dozen times and plan to keep going, noting that they still catch new details with every viewing. Tales From ’85 introduces new characters—characters they found themselves wishing had existed in the original series. The platform remains familiar, the vibe keeps you wanting more, and the overall cast experience is impressive. The creators clearly worked to preserve the feel of the original, delivering fans a genuine return to Hawkins rather than a hollow imitation.
Are these two worlds—live‑action and animated—completely different again? Maybe. But that determination is left to the viewer. As with Stranger Things itself, part of the enjoyment comes from piecing together why these events happened and where they fit in the larger picture. You’ll decide once you reach the end.
Chris and Will give Stranger Things Tales of ’85 8 out of 10 smiles. Tales From ’85 adds meaningful story threads that answer a few lingering questions leading into Season 3 of the original series, though it also leaves viewers with new ones by the finale. No spoilers here—but you’ll feel it when everything concludes. The animation improves as the season progresses and remains enjoyable throughout, even while leaning into the modern computer‑animated style common today.
Tales From ’85 is a must‑see for fans, though familiarity with the original Stranger Things series is essential to fully appreciate the storyline and character dynamics. This is not an entry point—it’s a rewarding detour for those already invested.
Stranger Things: Tales From ’85 is now streaming on Netflix.
Source: ChrisWill Media
About the Authors: Christopher L. Antie and William Antie are podcast journalists who cover a wide range of topics across multiple industries. To learn more about Chris and Will, tune in to their podcast What About Our Life? on iHeartRadio, and visit chrisandwill.com.
