It's Valentine's Day in Hawkins, and the flowers are literally glowing—but in true Upside Down fashion, they're not exactly romantic. Season 2 of Stranger Things: Tales From '85 finds Dustin (Braxton Quinney) and the Hawkins Investigators Club back in action, trading Christmas goblin hunts for a case involving murder flowers, a ghostly apparition, and a carpet of carnivorous plants. While the animation remains a visual treat, this sophomore outing struggles to recapture the spark that made the first season a comforting bridge between the main series' finale and the cold reality of saying goodbye.
A Galentine's Day Twist
This season cleverly shifts focus to the girls of the group. Max (Jolie Hoang-Rappaport) is dealing with a canceled visit from her dad, while Eleven (Brooklyn Davey Norstedt) is fascinated by the concept of romance—much to Mike's (Luca Diaz) awkward chagrin. When Mike gifts Eleven a flower but bolts before asking her to be his Valentine, it's Nikki Baxter (Odessa A'Zion) who steps in as the big sister figure, offering sage advice like, "People don't say what they mean, and they don't mean what they say." Nikki's influence leads the girls to sell the remaining luminescent flowers to lovesick middle schoolers, a scheme that backfires when Max encounters a glowing blue wasp and fries it in the school microwave. Turns out, those flowers are "murder flowers" with Demogorgon-like mouths and a poppy effect that puts anyone nearby to sleep.
Embracing the Supernatural
While Season 1 used Nikki to help Will (Ben Plessala) with his insecurities, Will is largely sidelined this time. The boys, meanwhile, are on a quest to raise local murderer Bloodaxe Bill from the dead and avoid failing history by making a film about the town's founder. Their investigation leads them to an old mine, where Mike discovers a floating apparition glowing with the same blue hue as the flowers. It's a fun twist—Stranger Things has never done ghosts before—and it allows the series to explore family-friendly lessons about fear, responsibility, and communication. Max opens up about her dad, Nancy (Alessandra Antonelli) teaches Mike breathing exercises in a grocery store, and Mrs. Baxter (Janeane Garofalo) reassures Nikki that she's not responsible for the family's finances. These moments are sweet, but they lack the emotional weight of the original series.
Low Stakes and Repetitive Monsters
The biggest issue with Tales From '85 Season 2 is the lack of compelling monster lore. We're introduced to "Hate Sprites" and a translucent dementor-like creature, but we learn almost nothing about their origins or how to defeat them. The group's go-to question—"Do you think they're from the Upside Down?"—feels tired, and the monsters only attack peripheral bullies, so there's little at stake. In the original series, we knew the Demogorgon's weaknesses and the Mind Flayer's motivations; here, the creatures feel like generic obstacles rather than genuine threats. Even Ted Wheeler (Joe Chrest) might have noticed something by now.
Animation Shines, Story Stumbles
Eric Robles and his team continue to impress with the animation—the character designs, the neon 80s palette, and the monstrously bright lights are all top-notch. But the overarching story leaves a bittersweet taste. As a return to Hawkins for fans still mourning the main series' finale, it's a pleasant diversion, but it doesn't stand on its own. The show's family-friendly tone means the monsters aren't truly threatening, and the lessons, while noble, feel a bit too on the nose for adult viewers.
Is It Time to Move On?
Season 2 of Tales From '85 is like a familiar song that's lost its chorus—it's still pleasant, but you can't help feeling you've heard it all before. The show's nostalgic charm is undeniable, but it's starting to show its age. As we watch the gang explore like The Goonies, we're left wondering if we've officially outgrown Hawkins. For those who can't let go, this season offers a comforting, if not entirely satisfying, trip back to the Upside Down. But for others, it might be time to say goodbye—or at least take a break until the next big adventure. If you're craving more supernatural thrills, check out this terrifying slug monster from another fantasy series, or revisit the most nostalgic Nintendo games to relive your own 80s childhood.
