Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

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Screenwise Verdict

Stranger Things is legitimately great television—creative, engaging, emotionally resonant, and culturally significant. The friendships are real, the stakes feel meaningful, and the 80s nostalgia hits just right.

But let's be clear: this is horror. Not "spooky fun" horror, but "monsters eating people's faces" horror. The Demogorgon isn't cute. The Mind Flayer possession scenes are disturbing. Characters die, sometimes gruesomely. If your kid struggles with nightmares or anxiety, this isn't the show to test their limits.

For teens who love the genre and can separate fiction from reality, it's a solid choice with genuine heart underneath the scares. The themes of friendship, found family, and standing up to bullies (both supernatural and human) are meaningful. Just know what you're signing up for—and maybe watch Season 1 yourself first to gauge whether your particular kid is ready.

Also worth noting: the show's popularity means your teen has probably already seen it at a friend's house, so you might be having this conversation retroactively. Such is modern parenting.

Age Fit

Best for ages 13-17 who genuinely enjoy horror and can handle intense scares without nightmares. Younger middle schoolers might claim they can handle it (and some can), but parents should preview first—this isn't Goosebumps-level spooky.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

55

While the show models strong friendships, loyalty, and teamwork among kids facing adversity, it's undercut by frequent profanity, teen relationship drama, bullying scenes, and emotionally intense moments (missing children, family separation, government conspiracies). The tone is often dark and anxious rather than emotionally healthy, though the core friend group does demonstrate cooperation and care for one another.

Imaginative

88

Exceptional world-building with the Upside Down, creative 80s nostalgia aesthetics, D&D-inspired mythology, and supernatural mystery elements that spark curiosity. The show invites viewers to theorize, problem-solve alongside characters, and engage with sci-fi concepts. The blend of horror, sci-fi, and coming-of-age adventure is original and culturally influential. TMDB rating of 8.594 reflects strong audience engagement.

Safe

35

Significant safety concerns: graphic monster violence, body horror (Demogorgons eating people, Mind Flayer possession), jump scares, child endangerment as a central plot device, on-screen deaths including kids/teens, government torture scenes, and escalating gore across seasons. Contains profanity, underage drinking/smoking, and some sexual content with teens. This is NOT content a young child could stumble into safely. While it's predictably scary (it's horror), the intensity level is high.

Enriching

72

Strong themes of friendship, bravery, standing up to bullies, and found family. Characters grow through adversity and demonstrate problem-solving, scientific thinking, and moral courage. Explores grief, trauma, and identity in meaningful ways. The 80s setting offers cultural/historical interest. However, the primary draw is entertainment and suspense rather than explicit skill-building or educational content. Still, the emotional depth and character arcs provide genuine insight into loyalty and resilience.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Celebrates deep friendship, loyalty, and kids/teens being brave and resourceful in the face of impossible odds
Genuinely creative world-building with the Upside Down and compelling sci-fi/horror mythology that rewards attention
Strong character development across diverse personalities—nerds, outcasts, and misfits saving the day
Sparks interest in 80s culture, D&D, and retro aesthetics while delivering legitimately engaging storytelling
Addresses grief, trauma, and identity in ways that resonate with teens navigating their own complex emotions

⚠

What to Watch For

This is real horror—monster violence, body horror, jump scares, and on-screen deaths that can be genuinely disturbing
Intensity ramps up significantly in later seasons; Season 1 is tame compared to what comes after
Profanity throughout, plus teen drinking, smoking, and some sexual content as characters age
Themes of child endangerment, government experimentation, and possession may be too heavy for sensitive viewers
The cliffhanger structure and binge-ability can lead to late-night viewing marathons

Conversation Starters

"Which character's bravery impressed you most, and why do you think they were able to face their fears?"
"The kids use D&D to make sense of the Upside Down—do you ever use stories or games to understand scary real-world stuff?"
"How do you think Eleven's experience being experimented on connects to real issues about consent and bodily autonomy?"
"The show is set in the 80s—what differences do you notice about how kids lived back then versus now?"
"If you had powers like Eleven, how would you decide when it's okay to use them and when it's not?"

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