The Use of Nostalgia Matt Duffer and Ross Duffer, the writers of Stranger Things, created the number-one TV show on Netflix using nostalgia from the 80s. First released on July 15th 2016, it immediately skyrocketed to the top of Netflix's popularity chart. The Duffer brothers used 80s pop culture references, multiple conspiracy theories, and horror and supernatural elements. The use of Nostalgia throughout the first episode of Stranger Things helped grow its diverse viewer base. Stranger Things initially set its sights on adults who grew up in the 80s and pop culture enthusiasts. The first hint of nostalgia was shown within the first few minutes as “A GROUP OF BOYS, 12 years old, play DUNGEONS AND DRAGONS.” (Duffer Brothers 6) Dungeons and …show more content…
Calling into a walkie-talkie. Lucas finally answers the question. His voice crackles. LUCAS'S VOICE (OVER WALKIE)” This piece of nostalgia is used throughout the first episode and throughout the rest of the show for the kids to be able to communicate with each other when looking for will and scheming up plans for other events. Another piece of nostalgia used a lot throughout the episode was the soundtrack. You can see this when Eleven stops the fan, in the background you hear “Jenny May by Trader Horne”. You can also see this later in the episode when Steve sneaks into Nancy's bedroom, you start off listening to “Every Little Bit by Jackie James & Ian Curnow” and later moves on to “Africa by Toto”. All of these songs were very popular for the time and connected more to the viewers that grew up in this time period. The use of nostalgia with 80s pop culture references was a great way to connect to the viewerbase of adults who grew up during that time and also 80s pop culture enthusiasts with the use of Dungeons and Dragons, walkie-talkies, and the soundtrack in the first episode. The writers also set their sights on conspiracy theory enthusiasts. You might recognize this approach to nostalgia within the first 5 minutes of the episode with the secretive government