Stranger Things: Tales From '85, Struggles to Impress Critics

Things have taken a rather unexpected turn in the Stranger Things universe. The animated spin-off Stranger Things: Tales From '85 has returned for its second season, but the latest chapter has struggled to win over critics and has recorded the franchise's lowest positive critical reception on Rotten Tomatoes so far.

Set between the second and third seasons of the original Stranger Things series, the animated show explores a previously untold story within the Hawkins universe. Despite expanding the franchise with a new adventure, however, Season 2 has received positive reviews from only 50 percent of critics on Rotten Tomatoes.

The response suggests that while the new season succeeds visually, its storytelling, character development and pacing have not impressed critics to the same extent.

Eleven and the Gang Face a New Kind of Demogorgon

Season 2 brings Eleven and her friends back into danger alongside Nikki Baxter, a new character created specifically for the animated series and voiced by Odessa A'zion.

The group once again heads into the woods, where they encounter a new type of Demogorgon. The creature has distinctive characteristics compared with the monsters seen previously and is portrayed as a predator that feeds on human flesh.

The new threat provides the central conflict for the season, but the resulting adventure has failed to satisfy a significant portion of critics.

Strong Animation, Weaker Storytelling

One of the most consistent observations among reviews is that the show's technical and visual qualities are considerably stronger than its narrative.

IGN praised the impressive visual design and high-quality animation, but argued that the series lacks some of the warmth and emotional character-driven spirit associated with the original Stranger Things.

CBR took a more expectation-focused approach, suggesting that viewers' enjoyment may depend heavily on what they expect from the spin-off. For dedicated fans of the franchise, however, the review suggested that the series could raise questions about how Netflix intends to continue expanding the Stranger Things brand.

Another recurring criticism concerns the reuse of familiar themes and story structures.

"A Weak Copy of a Familiar Story"

ScreenRant also focused on the show's character development and pacing. The publication acknowledged that the season contains plenty of action and entertaining moments, but argued that underdeveloped characters and noticeable pacing problems make the story feel less original.

The criticism essentially comes down to familiarity: rather than feeling like a genuinely fresh chapter in the Stranger Things universe, parts of the season may remind viewers too strongly of stories the franchise has already told.

Not Every Critic Was Negative

The 50 percent Rotten Tomatoes score does not mean that all critics rejected the second season. Some reviews were considerably more positive.

But Why Tho? argued that Season 2 represents a clear improvement over the show's early episodes. According to the publication, the new season addresses some of the first season's shortcomings while preserving the elements that made the animated series enjoyable in the first place.

That means the critical picture is not entirely negative. The animation, action sequences and connection to the broader Stranger Things universe could still appeal to viewers who are primarily looking for another adventure set in Hawkins.

Now the Fans Will Have Their Say

All episodes of the second season were released on September 17, putting the series in front of its most important audience: Stranger Things fans themselves.

The question now is whether viewers will agree with critics who have raised concerns about the writing, pacing and character development, or whether the new creature, action and animation will be enough to make the season an entertaining addition to the franchise.

For now, the 50 percent Rotten Tomatoes score reflects the critical response. But for a franchise with such a large and dedicated fan base, the long-term reception of Stranger Things: Tales From '85 will ultimately depend on how audiences respond to this latest animated chapter.