STRANGER THINGS: Season 1: The Flea and the Acrobat
A tense, morally serious episode about evil, courage, and another world.
Should You Watch It?
This episode moves the story forward with interesting developments and steadily increasing tension. The characters draw closer to the creature that captured Will, while several of them begin acting in more selfless and heroic ways.
The episode also introduces allegorical possibilities involving Heaven, Hell, and a spiritual dimension through “The Upside Down.” Those ideas are accompanied by occult elements, profanity, smoking, and a few disturbing images, though the episode has less objectionable content than the previous one.
If you are an adult or mature older teenager who can exercise discernment about those elements, this is a strong, meaningful episode to watch; keep it away from children and young teens.
The Story
NO SPOILERS — WE KEEP THE SURPRISESThe boys learn that they may need to enter another dimension, called “The Upside Down,” to find their missing friend, Will. They search for a portal that could take them there.
Meanwhile, Nancy and Jonathan investigate the strange creature connected to a photograph of Barb. As the police investigation takes an unexpected turn, the search leads toward a tree that may open into another world.
Is It Any Good?
Four stars means this episode is highly effective entertainment. “The Flea and the Acrobat” moves the story forward through interesting developments and makes the search for Will increasingly tense as the characters draw closer to the creature.
It also deepens the moral dimension of the series. Characters begin acting more selflessly and heroically, giving the suspense a stronger emotional and ethical center. The episode’s spiritual allusions add another layer to its developing story.
The Worldview
The episode presents a strong moral worldview as its main protagonists battle an evil force that continues to attack them. The characters’ growing selflessness and heroism give the story a clear distinction between good and evil.
“The Upside Down” introduces allegorical possibilities involving Heaven and Hell, or at least a spiritual dimension beyond the ordinary world. At the same time, the episode includes occult elements through a girl’s telekinetic powers, which allow her to control things and people. The source notes that these powers are never used in an evil or sadistic manner.
The episode’s central struggle against spiritual evil can remind viewers that evil is not merely an abstract idea. Scripture says, “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness” (Ephesians 6:12).
The Content Guide
The specifics — spoilers included by nature — so you can judge for your own family.
Content Summary
<p class="SingleSpacepara">CONTENT: (BB, C, O, LL, V, A, D, M):</p> <p class="SingleSpacepara"><b>
Dominant Worldview and Other Worldview Content/Elements
</b> Strong moral worldview as all the main protagonists battle the evil that continues to attack them, plus some redemptive metaphors for Heaven and Hell and some occult elements where girl possesses telekinetic powers that allow her to control things and people, but they’re never used in an evil or sadistic manner;</p> <p class="SingleSpacepara"><b><span lang="IT">
Foul Language
</span></b>Six obscenities and seven profanities (including a couple strong profanities using Jesus), plus a few vulgarities;</p> <p class="SingleSpacepara"><b><span lang="FR">
Violence
</span></b> Light violence includes character knocks out a security guard to access information, man in stabbed in the neck with a sedation needle, and two characters find a deer that has been hit or attacked in the woods and is injured and bleeding;</p> <p class="SingleSpacepara"><b>
Sex
</b><span lang="ES-TRAD"> No sexual content;</span></p> <p class="SingleSpacepara"><b>
Nudity
</b> No nudity;</p> <p class="SingleSpacepara"><b>
Alcohol Use
</b> Two characters have a drink to calm their nerves;</p> <p class="SingleSpacepara"><b>
Smoking and/or Drug Use and Abuse
</b>A few main characters smoke cigarettes; and,</p> <p class="SingleSpacepara"><b>
Miscellaneous Immorality
</b> A few images could be disturbing to younger viewers.</p> <p class="SingleSpacepara"></p>
Talk About It
Four questions for the couch, the commute, or the couple bingeing it together.
The characters begin acting more selflessly and heroically. What does Christian courage look like when someone else is in danger?
Philippians 2:3–4 · John 15:13The episode presents a battle against evil and suggests a spiritual dimension. How does Scripture describe the reality of spiritual conflict?
Ephesians 6:10–18 · 1 Peter 5:8–9The characters search for a way into another world to rescue their friend. What does the Bible teach about seeking, rescue, and the hope God offers?
Jeremiah 29:13 · Psalm 34:17–18The episode uses telekinetic powers without presenting them as evil or sadistic. How should Christians exercise discernment when entertainment portrays supernatural abilities?
1 Thessalonians 5:21–22 · Philippians 4:8The Final Word
This is a tense, compelling episode with a strong moral center and meaningful spiritual imagery. Its profanity, occult elements, smoking, light violence, and disturbing images make it unsuitable for children and young teens. For discerning adults and mature older teenagers, the answer is WORTH WATCHING — ADULTS ONLY. For younger viewers, choose something else.
