Netflix Finally Lets You Skip Stranger Things’s Gross Subtitles

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As a dedicated movie enthusiast, I must admit that the unique closed captions in Stranger Things Season 4 were quite an intriguing addition. From “ominous synth music playing” to “tentacles squelching wetly,” these intentional, vivid descriptions added a layer of immersion that some viewers found entertaining. However, if you’re not a fan of these audio cues or find them distracting, Netflix has graciously provided an option for viewers to turn off such captions for the upcoming fifth and final season of Stranger Things. Enjoy the show in your preferred style!

From April 24, Netflix introduced a fresh feature for season 5 of “YOU”: subtitles in the original language that exclusively display dialogue, excluding descriptive audio cues. This means no more sounds like a phone buzzing, dramatic music swells, or in the case of “Stranger Things”, descriptors such as [food plops wetly], [gate pulsates wetly], [unearthly rustling] or [tense music intensifies].

Netflix users now have the freedom to choose the language they prefer. For instance, selecting “English” will present dialogue only, whereas “English (CC)” offers both spoken words and additional audio cues such as [door slams]. Netflix has announced that these subtitle choices will be accessible on all future original productions in every supported language, along with SDH/CC (Subtitles for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing/Closed Captions) from now on. (Refer to the image below.)

Starting from fresh Netflix releases, such as “You” Season 5, “A Dog’s Way Home,” “Jewel Thief – the Heist Begins,” “Chef’s Table: Legends,” “Exterritorial,” and Tom Hardy’s movie “Havoc,” a brand-new subtitle option will make its debut. I’m excited to see how this enhancement improves my viewing experience!

As a cinephile eagerly awaiting the year’s cinematic offerings, I can’t help but get excited about some anticipated titles that will undeniably introduce innovative elements to their respective franchises. Among these, the second season of Wednesday, the fifth season of Stranger Things, and the third season of Ginny & Georgia are set to captivate us with their unique storytelling. Additionally, the highly anticipated Squid Game will return for a thrilling third season, while original films such as Troll 2, Fear Street: Prom Queen, and sequels to beloved classics like Happy Gilmore 2 and Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery will undoubtedly add fresh perspectives to their genres.

1. “A Netflix user expressed delight about the removal of extra sounds like crashes and music in the subtitles, stating ‘Now it’s just dialogue,'” and another “Netflix viewer appreciates the new dialogue-only subtitle feature because their children watch TV with subtitles and no longer have to deal with additional musical cues.”

2. “A happy Netflix user commented on the elimination of distracting sounds in the subtitles, saying ‘Now it’s just dialogue,'” while another “Netflix subscriber is glad for the new dialogue-only subtitle option since their children watch TV with subtitles and no longer have to be bothered by extra musical elements.”

3. “A content Netflix user praised the removal of additional sounds in the subtitles, saying ‘Now it’s just dialogue,'” as another “Netflix viewer applauded the new dialogue-only subtitle feature because their kids require subtitles and no longer have to cope with extra musical components.”

4. “A pleased Netflix user lauded the absence of extraneous sounds in the subtitles, remarking ‘Now it’s just dialogue,'” while another “Netflix subscriber is pleased about the new dialogue-only subtitle option because their children need subtitles and no longer have to handle unnecessary musical accompaniments.”

5. “A Netflix user expressed satisfaction with the omission of extra sounds in the subtitles, noting ‘Now it’s just dialogue,'” as another “Netflix viewer appreciates the new dialogue-only subtitle feature since their children watch TV with subtitles and no longer have to endure additional musical cues.”

6. “A happy Netflix user commended the elimination of extra sounds in the subtitles, stating ‘Now it’s just dialogue,'” while another “Netflix subscriber is glad for the new dialogue-only subtitle option because their children watch TV with subtitles and no longer have to deal with unwanted musical additions.”

In an interview with Netflix’s Tudum in 2022, English SDH subtitler Jeff T. stated that the auditory aspect plays a significant role in the impact of Stranger Things 4. The series co-creators, the Duffers, have a deep understanding of the elements they are manipulating. They are aware of the genre they are working within, they are familiar with their historical predecessors, and they understand the history of horror movies and monster films. In all these types of movies, sound design is key.

He clarified that they aimed to faithfully represent this in the subtitles for the Deaf and hard-of-hearing, as it’s their main way to experience these sensory aspects. He added that there’s an old-school, scary charm about something slippery and wet – a common trait in classic monster movies. They provided us with plenty of interesting elements to work with in this project.

Karli Webster explained, “To provide a little background on how we pick descriptive language, we aim to capture the genre and the overall mood. However, when we’re crafting something tailored to the Deaf and hard-of-hearing community, it’s not just for one segment of that audience. Subtitles aren’t divided based on whether someone has been Deaf since birth or not.

As I’ve mentioned, many individuals may experience hearing loss over the course of their lives or have partial hearing impairment. To cater to this diverse group, it’s crucial that subtitles are included for all levels of hearing ability. In our approach, we’ve strived to find a balance between descriptive terms that resonate with people who have never heard before, and emotive phrases that evoke memories or feelings for the hard-of-hearing audience, particularly when recalling the sensation of listening to music or other sound effects.

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2025-04-28 05:10