Stranger Things is a television series developed by the Duffer Brothers, who also act as showrunners and executive producers alongside Shawn Levy and Dan Cohen. The first season, produced by Monkey Massacre Productions and Levy’s 21 Laps Entertainment, was released on Netflix on July 15, 2016. The season’s second, third, and fourth seasons began in October 2017, July 2019, and May and July 2022, respectively. It was revived for a fifth and final season in February 2022.
Stranger Things is set in the 1980s in the fictional rural town of Hawkins, Indiana. The neighboring Hawkins National Laboratory purportedly conducts scientific research for the US Department of Energy but covertly conducts paranormal and supernatural tests, occasionally on human test subjects. They have unwittingly opened a gateway to an other reality known as the Upside Down, the existence of which begins to have disastrous consequences for the citizens of Hawkins
The third season takes place many months later, in the days running up to the Fourth of July in 1985. The new Starcourt Mall has captured the interest of Hawkins locals, driving the bulk of other local businesses out of business as a result of the mall’s success. Hopper is anxious about Eleven and Mike’s connection and becomes too protective of his daughter.
A secret Soviet laboratory underneath Starcourt, unbeknownst to the town, is attempting to open the doorway to the Upside Down. Meanwhile, the Mind Flayer manipulates Billy’s mind to do his bidding.
Stranger Things – Season 3 – Summary
In Season 3 of “Stranger Things,” the story takes place in the summer of 1985, one year after the events of Season 2. The town of Hawkins is introduced to the new Starcourt Mall, which becomes a central location for the characters.
The main group of friends, Mike, Eleven, Lucas, Dustin, Will, and Max, are enjoying their summer vacation and navigating the challenges of adolescence. However, strange occurrences begin to unfold once again in Hawkins.
A group of scientists from the Soviet Union has secretly set up a base beneath the Starcourt Mall, where they are conducting experiments involving the Upside Down. As a result, a new creature known as the Mind Flayer starts to exert its influence over the town, possessing people and creating a growing army of creatures.
Eleven’s powers have weakened since closing the gate to the Upside Down in the previous season. She becomes concerned about her diminishing abilities and seeks guidance from her adoptive father, Jim Hopper. Hopper, on the other hand, struggles with his role as a father figure and is also dealing with his growing feelings for Joyce Byers, Will’s mother.
Meanwhile, Dustin establishes a new friendship with a witty, intelligent, and enigmatic girl named Suzie, whom he met at a science camp. They develop a long-distance relationship and communicate using a ham radio, which ultimately leads to a crucial moment later in the season.
As the Mind Flayer’s influence spreads, it targets individual members of the group, including Billy, Max’s troubled stepbrother, who becomes a key host for the Mind Flayer’s control. The gang realizes the threat and works together to uncover the truth behind the Mind Flayer’s plan.
Joyce, accompanied by Hopper and Murray Bauman (a former journalist turned conspiracy theorist), investigates the strange occurrences in Hawkins and discovers the existence of the secret Soviet base. They seek help from their previous ally, Dr. Alexei, a Russian scientist who provides crucial information about the Russians’ activities and their plan to reopen the gate to the Upside Down.
In a climactic battle, the group faces off against the Mind Flayer and its army of creatures. They devise a plan to close the gate once again, with Eleven using her powers to neutralize the Mind Flayer. However, during the struggle, Hopper seemingly sacrifices himself to ensure the safety of his loved ones and the closure of the gate.
In the aftermath, the Byers family (Joyce, Will, and Jonathan) decide to leave Hawkins and start a new life elsewhere due to the traumatic events they have endured. Eleven, along with Mike and her friends, also bids farewell to Hawkins, leaving the town behind.
In a post-credits scene, set in a Russian facility, it is revealed that the Russians have an imprisoned Demogorgon and are referring to an “American” when selecting a new test subject, potentially hinting at Hopper’s survival.
The third season of “Stranger Things” continues to blend nostalgic 80s references, thrilling adventures, and heartfelt character development, setting the stage for future mysteries and challenges in Hawkins.
Stranger Things – Season 3 – Trailer
