We’re still a good six months from the Halloween release date of Stranger Things season two, and details of what to expect – at least plot-wise – from the follow-up to last year’s smash hit Netflix Original series are still pretty thin on the ground.
There were, however, a few interesting takeaways from People’s recent interview with the cast. Millie Bobbie Brown, Finn Wolfhard (best fucking name), Noah Schnapp, Caleb McLaughlin and Gaten Matarazzo – all of whom already somehow look like they’ve been snappily-dressed A-list stars for years – sat down with the magazine to discuss the word-of-mouth phenomenon that was the debut season of the spooky sci-fi drama, as well as revealing a few snippets of information about the next one.
The obvious dynamic change is that Will (Schnapp), after being rescued from the Upside Down, is back in Hawkins and reunited with his BMX’ing best mates. It was made very clear in the season one finale, though, that he carries some pretty disturbing side-effects from the abduction (you’ll no doubt recall the slug puking). Season two is set a year later, but it sounds like Will’s ordeal continues to affect everyone emotionally. “There are going to be some challenges that the characters face that are real, that are disturbing,” Wolfhard (Mike) explained. While remaining tight-lipped on story specifics, he also teased that the next run of episodes will increase the fear factor, adding, “I think this season will be a lot more dark, a lot more horror-oriented. I think people are going to like it more than the first season.”
As well as the strength of its writing and drop-your-pizza-slice cliffhangers, Stranger Things really caught fire because of its immaculate ‘80s aesthetic. Schnapp recalled in the interview how at the end of the auditioning process the young actors were shown a wall covered with classic movie posters from the decade. E.T., The Goonies, Jaws (although that was technically a ‘70s film) – it was their “homework” to take in these films.
One thing we’re still totally in the dark about is how Millie Bobbie Brown’s Eleven will fit into the next season. It’s fair to assume she won’t be spending all of her screen time in the Upside Down, though, unless there’s a monster barber in there offering up excellent perms.
