The new Stranger Thingsspinoff show, Stranger Things: Tales From ’85, has just been released on Netflix, and already, fans of the franchise are once again divided. Tales From ’85 is a canon show, set between Seasons 2 and 3 of the original Stranger Things series.
Although many of the most beloved characters, including the main kids, are back, the actors are different, as Tales From ’85 is an animated series. This alone proved to be controversial, but backlash has intensified since the new episodes dropped. Although there are plenty of Stranger Things fans who have enjoyed the show, there are many who are thoroughly unhappy with it—and it seems the controversial Stranger Things finale is informing quite a bit of that frustration.
Among the complaints that fans who did not enjoy Tales From ’85 have voiced is the fact that the show has introduced a new character, Nikki, who was never mentioned in the original show. Part of the issue with that, fans have expressed, is that Nikki has become increasingly important to the plot, yet no mention is ever made of her in Stranger Things. Viewers have also taken issue with how quickly the gang informed Nikki of the Upside Down, El’s powers and myriad other secrets, which some felt was out of keeping with their original characterization.
@filmstocked Stranger Things: Tales from ‘85 is out now… 😬 #strangerthings #strangerthingstalesfrom85 #strangerthings5 #hawkins #eleven
♬ Stranger Things – Kyle Dixon & Michael Stein
There are also some concerns that Nikki is taking on a Robin role for Will, as Nikki is reminding Will that it’s okay to be different. Some have expressed that this dilutes Robin’s role in Will’s journey, including his coming out scene in Season 5.
In addition to the introduction of Nikki, many are simply finding it frustrating to see Eleven on screen again, following her devastating fate in Stranger Things. Whether she died in the end or can never be with her friends and family again, her ending was gutting. Seeing her interact with the gang, and even have character development such as by trying to assert more independence, is just a reminder of how upsetting her conclusion was.
In fact, character development (or changes) have been yet another point of frustration, with many fans calling out particularly Mike Wheeler and Will Byers as feeling incongruent with their live action counterparts. One video, the caption for which said, “I’m so tired of this chopped show trying to rewrite the narrative” regarding Mike and Will’s relationship, combined scenes from Stranger Things and Tales From ’85 to show the differences. In the comments, the creator said, “I’m so serious I want it banned.”
@lerylx notice how in the second clip will doesn’t say mikes name because mike is the only one that treats him normally i’m so tired of this chopped show trying to rewrite the narrative mike understood will more than his other friends boycott tales of 85 #byler #byleredit #foryoupage #strangerthings #strangerthingsedit
♬ original sound – lerylx
Another video highlighted Mike’s characterization, claiming, “That is not Michael Wheeler.”
@el_jane_poetry mike come home the kids miss you #miwi #strangerthings #talesfrom85 #mikewheeler #fyp
♬ original sound – elly jane 🌀
Along with those various frustrations, there has also been a slight resurgence of Conformity Gate—the belief that the finale was a fake-out and a real ending is coming. Some viewers have identified various ‘clues’ of Conformity Gate, such as a reference to the radio tower from Stranger Things Season 5. However, both the Duffer Brothers and cast members have thoroughly discredited this concept at this point.
@kraydenscott #strangerthings #conformitygate #talesof85 #netflix
♬ original sound – Krayden
@yapartist Conformitygate still living rent free in my head 🤯 what if the finale wasn’t real… just a “perfect” version of reality and now Stranger Things: Tales from ’85 drops right between seasons… filling in gaps we didn’t even question before new characters, new monsters, hidden lore?? nah this feels intentional like they’re building backwards to prove something isn’t right vecna didn’t lose… we just accepted the version where he did #StrangerThings #ConformityGate #TalesFrom85
♬ original sound – YapArtist
Amid these responses, there have also been fans of the original show who are just happy to see these characters return to the screen again. However, Tales From ’85’sRotten Tomatoes scores, which currently sit at a 65% with critics and a 45% with audiences, speak for themselves.