With the conclusion of Stranger Things season 5, Netflix’s most popular show wrapped up its story, focusing on what happened to the main characters after their time in Hawkins. While saying goodbye was tough for fans, they can now revisit these beloved characters in the animated spin-off, Stranger Things: Tales From ’85. It was a challenge to recreate the original show’s appeal, particularly with a new voice cast, but Tales From ’85 manages to capture the magic of Stranger Things, largely thanks to a new character introduced in the series.
Following the events at the end of Stranger Things season 2—where Eleven closed the gate to the Upside Down—Stranger Things: Tales From ’85 quickly grabs your attention by showing how the show’s monsters are created. The core group—Eleven, Mike, Dustin, Lucas, Max, and Will—soon come back together, and the story really gets going when some new characters are introduced.
Rating: 4 out of 5
| PROS | CONS |
| Nikki is a delightful new addition and gives the show fresh energy | Takes a few episodes to get rolling, as it’s not until episode 3 that everything comes together |
| Nikki and Will’s dynamic moves Will back into the spotlight | At times, the dialogue isn’t as snappy as the main series |
| Eleven shines throughout the series, and the action sequences pop | Some won’t be able to shake the lack of the main series cast in these beloved roles |
The Stranger Things Magic Makes a Return, But It Takes Longer Than Expected
What’s great about Tales From ’85 is revisiting the familiar world and characters of Hawkins in a fresh story, which is especially enjoyable for fans who’ve been with the series for a while. The animation beautifully recreates how the characters look, and you quickly become invested in hearing them with a brand new set of voice actors.
It takes a few episodes for the show to really find its rhythm, and there’s a good reason why. Viewers have become so familiar with the voices of characters like Dustin, Eleven, and Hopper – thanks to the original cast returning since season one – that they have a specific sound in our minds. Luckily, actors like Brooklyn Davey Norstedt (Eleven), Elisha EJ Williams (Lucas), Jolie Hoang-Rappaort (Max), and Jeremy Jordan (Steve) deliver such natural performances that their voices blend in perfectly, making it feel completely seamless.
As the show progresses, you get used to the new actors – Mike (Luca Diaz), Dustin (Braxton Quinney), and Will (Benjamin Plessala). By the middle of the series, you stop focusing on how different their voices are and can simply enjoy their performances as part of this new adaptation, rather than constantly comparing them to the original.
Okay, after episode 3, I was completely invested – not just in what was happening, but in these characters. It honestly felt like being back in season 2, watching them all interact. Their relationships are just constantly changing and it’s so captivating! The tension between Dustin and Lucas always seems to pop up at the worst possible moments, and it was great to see Mike finally start listening to his friends instead of trying to run everything. Eleven’s journey of finding her voice is still really powerful too. But honestly, the biggest surprise? Max and Lucas! They were an unexpected dream team and totally stole every scene they were in.
The show’s conversations are good, but the action sequences are where it really comes alive thanks to the animation. New monsters feel genuinely threatening, creating real tension even though you know the main characters will survive. These creatures fit into the world while still offering fresh challenges, and every fight scene is visually striking and full of energy.
Let’s talk about Eleven – her powers are woven into the narrative so effectively this season, delivering some truly heart-stopping moments. The writers really got creative with how they used them, whether she was facing off against a monster, protecting her friends, or creating a diversion. And the finale? Wow. That final battle wasn’t just visually stunning, it really showcased how much these characters have grown, and it felt like a truly earned, satisfying conclusion to everything we’ve been building towards.
Nikki Baxter Is The Star of Stranger Things: Tales From ’85
Nikki joins the group after they rescue her from a monster attack. Impressed by their collaboration and Eleven’s abilities, she quickly becomes a valuable ally in their quest to uncover the true danger facing Hawkins, adding a fresh and positive energy to the team.
You know, one of the things I really loved about Nikki was how she connected with Will. After she learned his story, they became friends, but it wasn’t just that – it was how she spoke to him. She didn’t shy away from the ‘demon boy’ label; she actually embraced it, seeing it as something powerful. Over the season, her encouragement and belief in him genuinely built up his confidence in a way we hadn’t really seen until much later in the show. It was amazing to watch him finally start to believe in himself, and she was the key to that.
As a huge fan, I’ve always loved Will, so seeing him really come into his own this season was fantastic. For a while there, he felt a little lost in the shuffle, but his friendship really helped him find his confidence. It was great to see him not just hanging back, but actually stepping up and being more assertive – especially with Mike – and really taking charge when things got intense. Honestly, it was a breath of fresh air to see him as a central figure and a developing character at the same time.
Nikki positively influences the rest of the team while she’s on the show, especially Eleven. She connects with Eleven in a unique way that no one else can, and their scenes together are truly enjoyable. The episode featuring Eleven’s birthday party is a standout for me, largely because of how their friendship develops.
The tension between Nikki and Mike creates some really interesting drama, particularly how it affects Will and the rest of the group. Nikki’s mom, Anna, takes on a sort of parental role, but not in a typical way. The same is true for Daniel – each character adds something special to the show and helps unravel the ongoing mystery.
The show gets better with each episode, but it takes a little while to find its footing. Things really start to come together around episode 3. A few of the voice actors take some getting used to, but others, like the one for Hopper, are perfect from the start.
It takes a little while to get going, but Stranger Things: Tales From ’85 really captures the spirit of the original series. It introduces some great new characters and tells a gripping story that ultimately feels very rewarding. I’m hoping we get to revisit this time period and these characters in future adventures.
Stranger Things: Tales From ’85 is now streaming on Netflix.
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2026-04-24 01:41