Parents, Beware of ‘Stranger Things’

The Upside Down, Dungeons & Dragons (D&D), Vecna, and the Demogorgon seem to be hot topics as the culture discusses the newest season of Stranger Things.

Next week, on Christmas Day, Netflix will release another four episodes of the fifth and final season of its original show Stranger Things, which premiered in 2016 and is coming to a close on New Year’s Eve.

I have to admit, this type of show was never interesting to me. I had actually forgotten all about it until a few weeks ago, when, to my surprise, I was putting up my groceries and found various food items emblazoned with the Stranger Things logo and characters.

Not long after discovering these various promotional items, I found myself among teenagers watching and discussing the show. Until that moment, I only vaguely remembered the plotline of season one, which I think involved a young friend group who played D&D and were trying to save another friend from an evil force.

Yet, as they watched a later season, I began to realize the darkness of what was unfolding.

The further the show went on, the more LGBTQ characters were introduced, innocent children were shown brutally slaughtered on screen, and individuals were mutilated by “demo-dogs.” Lest we forget, the alternate universe shown, known as the “Upside Down,” is filled with its own type of evil, monsters, and the like.

If that’s not bad enough, in season four, the original gang’s goal is to attack and kill Henry, who was once a psychic little boy guilty of murdering his mother, his young sister, and blinding his father. Henry, who now goes by Vecna (a D&D character materialized), has since killed an entire laboratory full of children and is currently trying to destroy their town, kill the gang’s friend, merge two worlds, and become godlike. This plot is also continuing into the new season.

Some viewers and supporters of the series may try to pick out the themes or actions that promote goodness. While many of these original friendships are forged and strengthened, and they do attempt to kill their adversary, there is nothing inherently holy or pure about this show. It contains profanity, implied pre-marriage sex, gore, and more.

As a matter of fact, IMDb (Internet Movie Database) reports in its parent guide of the show that when it comes to ratings, “This show ranges from PG-13 level violence to moments of R rated levels.”

Yet, with all the promotional items urging viewers to come back and watch the newest season, parents may be unaware of the true darkness being promoted. After all, a quick search on a supercenter’s website revealed that 50 pages of such products were noted as “Stranger Things items.”

In anticipation of the final releases, the show’s promotional team is working overtime with a variety of advertisements and slapping its mark on food products ranging from cookies, chips, and waffles to cereal and more, reminding viewers to tune in.

And tune in, they have.

On Thanksgiving Day, Netflix released the first four episodes of the season, with four more to be released on Christmas Day and another four on New Year’s Eve. Variety reported that the show received 59.6 million views in the first five days after its release.

However, every viewer planning to watch should be aware that season five shows no signs of deviating from its dark tone. In the first minutes of episode one of season five, Vecna chases a scared young boy before trying to collect (and kidnap) more elementary school aged children for his demented plan.

As parents of children and teenagers, we should be on guard.

Considering the show has been out for nearly 10 years, many parents, like myself, may have a vague recollection of what it's about but not a complete understanding of the levels of darkness it promotes.

In Philippians 4:8, we as believers are given great encouragement. It says:

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Nothing about Stranger Things is pure, lovely, or praiseworthy – it is the opposite.

And next Thursday, on Christmas Day, instead of honoring the birth of Christ and His holiness, Netflix will release the show’s next dark drop.

With many children beginning winter break, they may have free time to sit and watch this show or other non-Christ-honoring shows promoted by the culture.

I implore you not to let them.

We must remember that, as believers and parents, we are in a culture war to protect their little minds and hearts while pointing them to what is true, noble, and excellent – and there is nothing more excellent than the love that is so freely given to us by that babe who once lay in a manger.

Next week, rather than choosing family television time that may be filled with darkness and dread, I pray you will pull out your Bible and share the greatest story ever told. One of these things has the potential to promote the destruction of souls and lives, while the other offers the only true form of salvation. Which will we choose?

Show Comments

Please Note: We moderate all reader comments, usually within 24 hours of posting (longer on weekends). Please limit your comment to 300 words or less and ensure it addresses the content. Comments that contain a link (URL), an inordinate number of words in ALL CAPS, rude remarks directed at the author or other readers, or profanity/vulgarity will not be approved.