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Analysis Of Duffer Brother's 'Stranger Things'

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The extract chosen is from the beginning of the television series Stranger Things (2016), directed by the Duffer Brothers, and follows the main characters: Mike, Will, Dustin, and Lucas. Before this extract, there’s an introduction to the main characters, in keeping with the suspenseful movie genre, showing them play a game called Dungeons and Dragons (D&D). This introduction follows a presumed scientist, the main characters playing D&D, and the beginning of Will’s disappearance. This sequence was chosen since it’s an introduction to characters, plot, and has good use of film elements and cultural context. A cultural analysis is going to be done through the historical lense via the Cold War and through the social lens via D&D and its connection …show more content…

In the Upside Down the Demogorgon, attacks humans and wreaks havoc on the city. At the same time, the boys are playing D&D and Mike presents a Demogorgon against Will. Cinematography and foley sounds exploit the dangers of the Demogorgon and foreshadow Will’s fate. An abrupt zoom on the monster contrasts to the other shots to intensify the danger the demogorgon presents (Figure 1). At the same time, an over exaggerated “boom” sound is used when Will puts the character on the table to create a threatening presence. The low key lighting from artificial lamps introduces a suspenseful twist into the idea of children playing a game. In order to fight the Demogorgon, Will casted a “fireball” spell, but only rolled a seven meaning he was defeated by the Demogorgon. This is direct foreshadowing and paralleling when Will later fights back against the demogorgon, but loses. Additionally, the way the camera follows and focuses on D&D while the boys are playing represents the importance of the game in the …show more content…

In order to incite suspenseful feelings and include elements of Sci-Fi, cinematography and sound design were used. The fact that there isn’t sound or dialogue in the sequence and that the monster is never shown greatly increases the scene’s suspense. Sound design was utilized to create suspense because the monster is solely heard with over exaggerated growling. Cinematography created suspense by using shots that have low key lighting from eye level angle, and sometimes dramatic high angles, tilting the camera for an upside down POV (Figure 3a). Since the scientist can see what’s chasing him, but we can’t a mysterious suspense of the unknown is created. The directors and cinematographers intended to make shots suspenseful by focusing solely on distinct parts of the scientist’s body, such as his face (Figure 3a), and then pulling into a long shot to show his lower torso being lifted up (Figure 3b). Immediately after that long, suspenseful sequence, the sequence transitions to a serene, rural neighborhood sprinkler. This demonstrates a purposeful discontinuity, in true thriller fashion, with many fluctuations in

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