Stranger Things

• social context of ST

  • the show portrays differences between families of different social classes, with the Wheelers embodying the traditional American nuclear family and the Byers reflecting a modern single-parent household
  • 1980s was largely patriarchal, but the women's liberation movement/liberal divorce laws such as Divorce Reform Act led to significant social changes, increasing women initiating divorces.
  • urban migration to American suburbs during the 1980's led to more multicultural communities, though racial/ethnic inequalities persisted. highlighted when Lucas is called 'midnight'
• social context of ST:


  • episode reflects 1980s family and gender relations, portraying mothers as struggling to hold the family together, absent or distracted fathers, and young boys forming strong bonds and masculine camaraderie
  • the atypical androgynous representation of Eleven contests traditional gender roles, as she is defined by her abilities rather than gender
  • mrs wheeler embodies the traditional 'stay at home' mum stereotype, fitting with the depiction of nuclear families in Spielberg's America where woman are inferior and treated as housewives
• cultural context of ST:


  • episodes show social anxieties about the consequences of scientific experimentation
  • the cultural icon of the American small-town community is represented, a concept globally recognised due to the success of Hollywood blockbusters of the 1980's.
  • American high school stereotypes, with distinct groups like jocks and nerds, are evident, with characters' love for Dungeons & Dragons highlighting the 1980's geek culture
  • Nancy breaks social conventions by excelling in science and wanting to stay a virgin, challenging the patriarchy depicted in Spielberg's 80s America
• cultural context of ST:

  • LFTV dramas like Stranger Things reflect anxieties about the power of the central state, portraying secret agents as sinister and local police as humanised.
  • Ronald Reagan's wife in the 1980s - launched a campaign called 'Just Say No' which encouraged children, young people to not get involved with the growing culture of drugs, and experimenting with them.
• Political context of ST:

  • Stranger Things draws on concerns around the CIA MK Ultra project, reflecting distrust of the government through sci-fi/horror elements
  • The show is set in the Cold War era, specifically during Ronald Reagan's presidency, portraying the political tensions of the time, including concerns about communism and Russian spies
  • wiretapping in the the episodes highlights the political issue of government intrusion into citizen's privacy, a significant concern during Reagan's presidency.
• Historical context of ST:

  • the episodes showcases 1980s technology, including walkie-talkies, high-performance radios, BMX bikes, suggesting a more adventurous pre-internet age
  • juxtaposition of affluent and poor suburban American nuclear and non-nuclear (dysfunctional) families highlights the class divisions of the time
  • The episodes reflects the influence of globally successful Hollywood blockbusters of the 1980s, enhancing its international appeal and cultural resonance.
• Key context:

  • the show was Netflix's flagship show - marked by a significant increase in subscribers to the streaming platform following the release of the first 8 minutes on YouTube
  • access to ex-A listers such as Winona Ryder, Mathew Modine who grew up and resonated with 1980's audiences
• what was the budget?


  • $6 million per episode
• key context:

  • the show was produced by 21 laps entertainment
  • the rise of subscription video on demand services such as Netflix, has led to an intense competition with other entertainment conglomerates. This has been made possible by advancements in technology, allowing for the distribution of long-form television dramas to a global audience without any restrictions.
  • Netflix is a global conglomerate specialising in entertainment and streaming video
• Elevens representation:

  • represented as vulnerable and a subject of experimentation, (androgynous person) through buzz and hospital gown dress code
  • intertextually compared to E.T. who is an alien creature, suggesting that the producers aimed to present her as an 'other'.
  • she overpower the secret agents of Dr Brenner - shown through her physical, supernatural abilities, which contrasts to her enigmatic personality
  • Eleven's past is unknown - her powers not fully understood by the other characters. Her limited communication, ambiguous background contribute to her mysterious aura.
• Lucas representation:

  • portrayed as a pragmatic character, often acting as the voice of reason within the group. As a black character, given substantial screen time showing his acceptance within the group and society. this representation suggests that the American suburbs in ST are a cultural melting pot, reflecting the multicultural spect of 1980's America.
  • the show does not delve into his cultural background or experiences as a black teenager in a predominantly white town, which can be seen as a hegemonic portrayal that prioritises the American white supremacist ideology.
• Lucas representation:


  • his characterisation provides a role model for young balck audiences and promoting a more inclusive representation of American society as a cultural melting point (attempt to reflect a more inclusive and diverse society) Gauntlett
  • Audiences may appreciate the inclusion of a strong, well-developed black character who plays a significant role in the story.
  • Netflix might have chosen to represent him like this to reflect the growing societal demand for diversity and inclusivity in the media. Particularly important in helping Netflix grow their subscriber base.
• Hopper representation:

  • presented as troubled, intimidating
  • establishing shots show him slouching on the couch, surrounded by beer cans, indicating his personal struggles and a sense of defeat
  • authoritative way of speaking, physical presence command attention and respect
  • often shows little regard for women, evidenced by his dismissive comments about them. This behaviour underlines the patriarchal and white supremacist elements within the police force at the time.
• Nancy representation:


  • intelligent, conventional, rebellious characterisation
  • embodies the 'high school sweetheart' archetype - who is conventionally beautiful, room decorated in pink and adheres to traditional feminine aesthetics. She dresses conservatively and wants to maintain her virginity despite Steve's pressure
  • she exhibits rebellious tendencies e.g. making out with Steve, contrasts to her academic diligence - behaviour indicates her struggles between maintaining good girl image and exploring her rebellious side.
• Why has Netflix chosen to construct this representation of Eleven?


  • Eleven's androgynous appearance and non-traditional gender representation challenges stereotypical representations of female characters in media. The show subverts the audience's expectations of what a female protagonist should look like, thereby promoting a more inclusive representation of gender.
  • representation of Eleven - nor male/female reflects growing societal acceptance of gender fluidity. aligns contemporary audiences expectations that advocate respect of non-binary and gender queer identities (BUTLER)
• representation of America:


  • Hawkins, Indiana - typical American small town - setting features suburban homes with green lawns, white picket fences evoking sense of nostalgic Americana
  • Wheeler family - exemplifies traditional nuclear family of 1980s - with nurturing homemaker - mother and Ted - breadwinner
  • In contrast, Byers - more contemporary, struggling single-parent household seen in Joyce - works hard to support her sons, highlighting economic and social challenges faced by single parents during the era
  • shows aesthetics and narrative style heavily drawn for Spielberg's films