We find the same team, recognizable among a thousand.
Back to Hawkins, but this time in animation, with Chronicles of 1985, a friendly but too anecdotal spin-off series to really captivate.
Published: 23.04.2026, 18:59 Updated: 23.04.2026, 18:59
If the portal to the Upside Down is sealed for good, Netflix has found a way to reopen it by exploring the past of our beloved characters. It is during a “between seasons” that this new spin-off series takes place, called Stranger Things: Chronicles of 1985, to tell us the small story parallel to the big one.
The extended universe of Stranger Things is not new, as since the global success of the series born in 2015, Netflix hit has been adapted into comics, novels, and even on stage, with a critically acclaimed play in London and on Broadway.
Since a winning formula shouldn’t be changed, these Chronicles capitalize on the codes that made the series a success. Obviously, we find the original soundtrack by Kyle Dixon and Michael Stein, with a compilation of 80s hits. The series stands out from its predecessor with its distinctive graphic style that blends 3D animation and illustration, popularized by Spider-Man and Arcane, without reaching their level.
Repeat performance
The plot unfolds between the second season, which ends in November 1984, and the third, which takes place in the summer of 1985. Eleven has closed the portal, Will is finally free from the Mind Flayer, and Max has joined the gang. The second chapter ended at the winter dance, where Mike and Eleven discovered a romance. The third volume opened at the inauguration of the Starcourt mall, the main setting of the season. References that the animated series will not fail to recall.
The Demogorgon is now a monstrous plant.
If we could hope for a few peaceful months in this Indiana town, we will have to think again. A plant-like Demogorgon will give our young heroes a hard time. We find the high school corridors, the forest, and pumpkin fields, rich plans to trap the creature and a good dose of telepathic powers.
We willingly dive back into the game, even if we would have preferred something more ambitious. The cartoon style sometimes leans a little too much towards childlike, while the original series succeeded in blending teenage themes in a dark universe.
The animation still achieves beautiful visual performances, especially in action scenes, with dynamic and colorful effects reminiscent of retrowave graphics.
A “Happy Meal”
Although short, the episodes bring new dynamics, like deepening the relationship between Max and Lucas, or the appearance of Nikki, a charismatic and marginalized teenage girl with a punk style, reminiscent of the freshness of Eddie, one of the fans’ favorite characters.
In the end, these Chronicles of 1985 do not seek to revolutionize the universe or present itself as a parallel series of the same kind. They remain a refreshing derivative product, which we would have preferred a little more mature and daring. Like fast food, this animated series fulfills its role as a pleasant appetizer. Too bad for the frustration, because once consumed, it is quickly forgotten, without falling into junk food in the process.
