Stranger Things: Tales From ’85, the animated series spin-off of Netflix’s live-action hit, returns for a Valentine’s Day-themed second season set in February 1985. The new season picks up after the events of the first, with Nikki Baxter now a more integrated member of the Hawkins Investigators Club (HIC). Despite the club's continued enthusiasm for supernatural investigations, their nightly hunts have yielded little until a peculiar string of events: a robbery at the Palace Arcade coincides with the disappearance of local delinquent Charlie Dandridge and the appearance of ominous bioluminescent flowers in the woods.
The Mystery Unfolds
The HIC soon discover that the glowing flowers are a food source for hostile, bioluminescent sprites, which they dub “hate sprites.” These creatures are revealed to be harbingers of a larger, ghost-like entity hunting humans. Over the season’s eight episodes, the young investigators aim to uncover why these entities have appeared, their connection to Hawkins' founding lore, and address lingering plot threads from the first season. The season also explores character dynamics, particularly Max’s relationship with Lucas, reflecting their on-again, off-again status seen in the live-action series, and Eleven’s continued protective nature towards Mike.
A Familiar Formula
While Season 2 better integrates Nikki into the group and focuses more on the core characters, it largely maintains the status quo from its predecessor. Parents and supporting characters like Steve Harrington are largely absent, allowing the narrative to center on the kids. However, the scripts continue to fall short of the live-action series' quality, often relying on simplistic, one-note character issues such as financial troubles or emotional distress. The season prioritizes plot progression and action sequences over deeper character development, resulting in an experience that can feel repetitive and lacking in genuine stakes, especially given the characters' predetermined safety within the established timeline.
The structure of a season-long mystery across eight episodes still feels overlong. The action set pieces are frequently repetitive and easily resolved, with characters advancing only incrementally. The series might have benefited from a “case of the week” format, similar to Scooby-Doo, allowing for more creative and character-focused mysteries. Unfortunately, the current format struggles to meet the high writing standards of the Stranger Things franchise.
Visual Strengths
Where Stranger Things: Tales From ’85 Season 2 excels is in its animation. Flying Bark Productions delivers impressive creature designs, including the sprites, ethereal bugs, and a striking “Big Bad.” The voice cast remains strong, with performers like Jolie Hoang-Rappaport as Max and Braxton Quinney as Dustin bringing significant energy to their roles, even when the narrative falters.
Ultimately, Stranger Things: Tales From ’85 Season 2 is a continuation of the first season’s strengths and weaknesses. The mystery is somewhat more engaging, but the season lacks the emotional depth and originality expected from the franchise. The verdict is that the show remains visually stunning but narratively underwhelming, with a mystery that doesn't quite justify its runtime and a notable lack of consequential stakes.