STRANGER THINGS: Season 1: The Vanishing of Will Byers
A gripping 1980s mystery with spiritual dangers — adults only.
Should You Watch It?
The first episode of Stranger Things is expertly crafted entertainment. Its terrific 1980s throwback tone and Spielberg-like storytelling draw you into a journey into the unknown, built around a missing boy, a troubled science lab, and a mysterious girl seeking shelter.
But the spiritual and moral dangers are substantial. The episode presents a strongly self-focused worldview, with characters making decisions around their own desires. It also includes occult elements, scary violence, sexual behavior between teenagers, strong language, smoking, alcohol use, and repeated disobedience.
The episode has real craft merit, but the −2 Family Content rating means it is not suitable for children or young teens. Adults who choose to watch should do so with discernment and a clear awareness of the content.
The Story
NO SPOILERS — WE KEEP THE SURPRISESIn a small Indiana town in 1983, four young friends finish a Dungeons and Dragons game before one of them, Will, encounters something frightening on his way home.
At the same time, an experiment at a local science lab appears to be going wrong. A young girl escapes from the lab and makes her way through the woods, seeking shelter. These mysteries begin drawing the town’s families and authorities into the unknown.
Is It Any Good?
Four stars means this episode is highly effective entertainment. It craftily takes viewers into the unknown, with a terrific 1980s throwback tone and a Spielberg-like storyline.
The source review offers strong praise for the episode’s atmosphere, storytelling, and ability to draw viewers into its mystery. Its quality is high, even though its content and worldview make it unsuitable for children and young teens.
The Worldview
The episode presents a strongly Romantic worldview. Each character is focused on personal desires and makes decisions based on selfish motives. There is no known moral compass yet, although it becomes evident who the “bad guys” and “good guys” are.
The episode also includes light occult elements through a female character’s mind powers, or telekinesis. The source review notes that these powers are later connected to terrible science experiments done to her, but this episode still introduces the supernatural ability as part of its mystery.
The episode’s central conflict involves frightening forces and the unknown, but its characters do not yet appear to operate from a clear moral framework. Scripture gives a different direction: “Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16).
The Content Guide
The specifics — spoilers included by nature — so you can judge for your own family.
Content Summary
<p class="SingleSpacepara"><span lang="IT">CONTENT: (RoRo, B, O, LL, VV, S, N, A, D, MM):</span></p> <p class="SingleSpacepara"><b>
Dominant Worldview and Other Worldview Content/Elements
</b> Strong Romantic worldview as each character is focused on their own desires and making decisions based on their own selfish motives, there is no known moral compass yet although it becomes pretty evident who the “bad guys” and “good guys” are, plus light occult elements as a female character is shown to have mind powers or telekinesis (later, it’s revealed her powers are the result of terrible science experiments done to her);</p> <p class="SingleSpacepara"><b><span lang="IT">
Foul Language
</span></b> At least 11 obscenities (including “s” words) and eight profanities (Jesus or OMG usually), plus a few examples of insults like “slut”;</p> <p class="SingleSpacepara"><b><span lang="FR">
Violence
</span></b> Strong, sometimes scary violence includes a scientist in a lab is violently taken without explanation, a woman shoots a man in the head, and a girl kills two “bad guys” with her mind and her nose begins to bleed;</p> <p class="SingleSpacepara"><b>
Sex
</b> Two teenagers make out in the bathroom during school, boy attempts to remove the girl’s blouse, but she stops him;</p> <p class="SingleSpacepara"><b>
Nudity
</b> Upper male nudity as a man is shown waking up without a shirt on and in the shower;</p> <p class="SingleSpacepara"><b>
Alcohol Use
</b> Light alcohol use, man wakes up and drinks beer, two men sit in a restaurant having lunch and drinking beers;</p> <p class="SingleSpacepara"><b>
Smoking and/or Drug Use and Abuse
</b> A few principal characters smoke cigarettes, and a man takes prescription medicine; and,</p> <p class="SingleSpacepara"><b>
Miscellaneous Immorality
</b> Moderate amount of miscellaneous content, such as children blatantly disobey the orders of their parents, siblings argue often and without remorse, a few flashes of scary images that can be startling, school bullies, and a few examples of stealing and moral relativism.</p> <p class="SingleSpacepara"></p>
Talk About It
Four questions for the couch, the commute, or the couple bingeing it together.
The episode shows children disobeying their parents. Why can independence become dangerous when it rejects wise authority?
Ephesians 6:1–3 · Proverbs 1:8–9Many characters act from their own desires. What is the difference between following every desire and practicing self-control?
Galatians 5:16, 22–23The episode introduces frightening spiritual elements. How should Christians respond when entertainment presents supernatural power apart from God?
Deuteronomy 18:10–12 · 1 John 4:1The characters face fear and uncertainty. Where can you turn when you do not understand what is happening?
Psalm 56:3–4 · James 1:5The Final Word
Stranger Things is polished, atmospheric, and compelling, but its occult elements and mature content demand serious discernment. Adults may find the mystery worth watching; children and young teens should stay away. Our answer is WORTH WATCHING — ADULTS ONLY. For a gentler choice, see.
