Netflix's Stranger Things Review: 8 Ups And 3 Downs

7. Winona Ryder Is Back On Form

Stranger Things 1

Winona Ryder rose to fame in the mid-to-late-80s, so it seems fitting that her 'comeback', if that's what we're calling this (and in fairness, she was great in last year's HBO miniseries Show Me A Hero), should take place in a series so firmly rooted in the decade.

As the mother of the child who goes missing, Ryder really nails all of the grief, worry, and anger that she's feeling, and when Will starts communicating with her does a superb job as the woman everyone thinks is going crazy. You really feel for what she's going through, and Ryder turns in a strong, compassionate performance.

She's not the only one among the adult cast doing some very good work, with plenty of support from David Harbour as police chief Hopper, who delivers some pitch-perfect world weariness, but also shows plenty of smarts and strength too, going beyond the simple small-town cop stereotype he could've been.

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Contributor
Contributor

NCTJ-qualified journalist. Most definitely not a racing driver. Drink too much tea; eat too much peanut butter; watch too much TV. Sadly only the latter paying off so far. A mix of wise-old man in a young man's body with a child-like wonder about him and a great otherworldly sensibility.