Stranger Things: Tales From '85 review: "Makes you nostalgic for the early days of Stranger Things"

Not everything has to be canon. In fact, who made the rule that a spin-off can't just be a cool story that exists within the same world? Stranger Things: Tales from '85 is cute, fun, and quite possibly the most kid-friendly entry in the franchise… but it's tainted by that five-letter word that everyone loves to throw around.

Tales From '85 takes place between Stranger Things seasons 2 and 3, after Eleven closes the gate in Hawkins Lab and releases Will from the Mind Flayer's grasp, and before the Party meets Robin and Steve becomes the world's greatest babysitter. As winter break approaches, Mike, Will, and co. uncover a new threat to Hawkins – of the Upside Down variety, of course.

These creatures, which are sort of like Demogorgons mixed with plants a la Audrey 2 from Little Shop of Horrors on steroids, are not only kidnapping various Hawkins residents by swallowing and keeping them alive in their stomachs but also using their victims' bodies as hosts… explained to the Party by a substitute teacher using the same science and logic from Ridley Scott's Alien.

Take me back

Showrunner Eric Robles, who is perhaps best known as the creator of the underrated Nickelodeon cartoon Fanboy and Chum Chum, told press that the show wouldn't just be a "monster of the week" show, and that there would be one "intentional" serialized storyline that stretches across 10 episodes. This, however, is what traps the show into what's known as "hard" rather than "soft" canon. We're introduced to a new species of Demogorgon that we never see or hear about again in the main series… which is a little odd given that the Party does mention the Demogorgons and the Demodogs by name quite frequently throughout the live-action show.

We're also introduced to an absolutely delightful and badass new character named Nikki Baxter (voiced by Odessa A'zion), who we also never hear of again in the mothership show. This is explained away by the fact that her mom is covering for Mr. Clarke (who is yassified in the show's rather soft and dreamy animation style) while he's away on sabbatical… though it doesn't make it any less of a bummer.

What's consistent is Hopper's (understandable) helicopter parenting over Eleven, Max and Lucas's budding relationship, Dustin and Steve's big brother/little brother bond, and Will still struggling to find himself after surviving what can only be described as the unimaginable. But it still isn't enough to make it feel like part of the franchise's greater timeline.

That would be perfectly fine if Tales from '85 wasn't supposed to be part of it. At its core, it's a light-hearted, easily digestible, and enjoyable story that makes you nostalgic for the early days of Stranger Things. It made me go back and watch the first two seasons, and made me miss the days when we knew so much less about Demogorgons, Hawkins Lab, and the Upside Down.

Almost canon, but not quite

Part of the problem with Stranger Things play, The First Shadow, is the exceptionally large emphasis placed on canon, and how every single thing (plot hole or otherwise) had to be connected to the main show… only to be touched on in a brief scene where Max takes Holly through Henry's high school memories during the final season. There are quite a few inconsistencies in The First Shadow that have to be considered retcons in order to actually be canon… and it took me out of the story completely.

This is also the case for Tales From '85: You can't just put a one-and-done story into a canon-heavy franchise where a) the creators told us to pay close attention and look for clues that would eventually connect to the end of the story and b) the ending was so broadly unsatisfying that fans are desperate for resolutions to dozens of unanswered questions (to the point that a conspiracy theory around a fake ninth episode took off). By making the animated spin-off canon to the main storyline, it distracts from what the writers and showrunners are trying to do… which is to give fans a new story in a familiar world that follows their favorite characters.

Instead, I found myself wondering constantly why this specific adventure was never talked about again, why we never see these new monsters again, why we never see these new characters again, and how much of this is actually believable as canon. And you could argue that Tales from '85 is supposed to be "soft canon" or "optional canon," but I don't think those terms really exist in a world with a fandom this intense.

Missed opportunity

I guess, if you were a kid in a time before social media, and a friend moved away… you probably wouldn't talk about them again. But the fact that Nikki is such an integral part of this story, paired with the fact that we will never get to see her in live-action, makes me kind of sad.

I could also say the same for Rosario, who has a pretty cute enemies-to-frenemies and potentially lovers arc with Dustin. Because their union stems from the fact that the two are a pretty big target for bullies… Dustin and Rosario getting together actually makes quite a bit more sense than Dustin and his live-action girlfriend Susie (who we never see again in the live-action show after season 3).

As an avid fan of the franchise (who even has a little season 1 Christmas lights tattoo), I wish Netflix, the showrunner, the press releases, etc., had never mentioned that the animated show was canon. At its core, a spin-off doesn't need to be. Otherwise, it turns a show that had the potential to be an enjoyable TV experience into one that demands to be scrutinized.

There will never be a follow-up to Stranger Things season 5 that feels satisfying; in all likelihood, there will never be a follow-up at all. It's better to enjoy Tales From '85 for what it is: a fun little story created by clear fans of the flagship show, making this animated series more of a love letter to the early years of Stranger Things than something to "fill in the gaps between seasons." And Nikki Baxter, I will never forget you.

Stranger Things: Tales from '85 is streaming now on Netflix. For more, check out our list of the best Netflix shows to stream right now.