Premiered: July 4, 2019

On: Netflix

Starring: Winona Ryder, David Harbour, Finn Wolfhard, Millie Bobby Brown, Gaten Matarazzo, Caleb McLaughlin, Noah Schnapp, Sadie Sink, Natalia Dyer, Charlie Heaton, Joe Keery, Dacre Montgomery, Maya Hawke, Priah Ferguson, Cara Buono, Joe Chrest, Andrey Ivchenko, Brett Gelman, Cary Elwes, Peggy Miley, Jake Busey, Francesca Reale, Michael Park, Alec Utgoff, Yasen Peyankov, Rob Morgan, John Reynolds, Arthur Darbinyan, Misha Keznetsov, Sean Astin, Catherine Curtin, Randy Havens, Will Chase, Christopher Convery, Jacey Sink, Beth Riesgraf, Gabriella Pizzolo & Paul Reiser

In the third season of Stranger Things, the gang is all back – including a few creatures – bringing a slightly weaker season, but still some of the best television around.

Despite closing the portal to the Upside Down, Will (Noah Schnapp) still senses other worldly beings. Mike (Finn Wolfhard) and Eleven’s (Millie Bobby Brown) relationship grows stronger, which worries Hopper (David Harbour).

The season ends up splitting into three plot lines with groupings of characters, one of which includes brilliant new leads Robin (Maya Hawke) and Erica (Priah Ferguson). Both are welcome additions of female characters who continue to elevate the suspense and comedy of the series.

However, parts of the plot just don’t hit in the same peculiar way that the other two seasons have led us to expect.

Final say: Stranger television is better television. ★★★★☆