The most anticipated sequel this month was finally released on Netflix on Friday, Oct. 27. Like most people, I binged watch the whole thing that day… yes, all nine episodes in one night.

“Stranger Things 2” was talked about online, in the school hallways and at grocery stores. Especially since the first season ended in a cliffhanger, the show’s creators had all of their fans wanting more.

In case you live under a rock, “Stranger Things” is a sci-fi, thriller movie filled with suspense, the supernatural and a bit of drama. The actors were amazing as well. So, if you haven’t watched the first season, and have a little under eight hours to spare, you should watch that first.

——- Season 1 Spoilers ——-

From the trailers you know that Eleven comes back, Will seems to suffer from his time in the upside down, and we are introduced to a new monster. Unlike last season’s “Demogorgon” which acted upon instinct, this “Shadow Monster” seems to have a brain/a plan.

The “Stranger Things 2” first episode is already introducing new characters such as Maxine, also known as “Mad Max” (as the episode’s title suggests), played by Sadie Sink, her step brother Billy, played by Dacre Montgomery and Bob, played by Sean Astin. Our favorite group of best friends also returned, not just with Will, but we get to meet Dustin and Lucas’s family, as well. However, there is some unexplained drama between Steve and Billy.

Some of the new characters had a purpose in the plot but were not really explained or introduced, they just kind of showed up. Billy was one of those characters, except I felt like he didn’t contribute to the plot at all. There were a few plot holes in the characters in my opinion, almost like lazy screenwriting. I don’t have a problem with the new characters or actors, I just don’t know how they got there.

However, I did love the actors. All of them are so talented and take their job seriously. Every episode was interesting to watch and had me on edge.  It can be frustrating when every episode ends in a cliffhanger. The special effects looked so real, they definitely got better since season one.

There are also some new relationships between characters that develop very nicely. The new friendships that form make sense and it is exciting when you realize how they pair together.

Overall, the acting is super great and the plot is good despite the jump scares and cliffhangers. I give it a solid 8 out of 10.