Stranger Things Season 3 Review: 6 Ups & 6 Downs

5. The Ensemble Cast Kills It Again

Even when the material falters, there's absolutely no criticism here for anyone in the sizeable cast: everyone tries their absolute damnedest to make it work, and they can't be remotely blamed for the narrative shortcomings.

Especially note-worthy is David Harbour, who pushes back hard against some of Hopper's iffy characterisation and once again proves himself the most talented actor in the room.

More surprising is Dacre Montgomery, who does sublime justice to Billy Hargrove's more central role this season, taking a potentially one-note character and exposing his multi-faceted qualities in unexpected ways.

Everybody else pretty much delivers as expected: the kids knock it out of the park again, especially Millie Bobby Brown, and Winona Ryder once more proves how expertly cast she is as Joyce Byers.

Were the performers not this exceptional, it'd be decidedly tougher to sit through some of the season's duller and more offputting moments.