Representation Essay

Different social groups are represented in Stranger things with the use of the media language, signs and the signifiers. These methods help to construct the representations which help people view Stranger things as real.

This is done by the use of references to the 80s. This helps people emote with the characters as the audience recognises some of the brands and the ways of living which the characters do and helps to draw them in as they are looking out for things they recognise. This helps build a representation of the older audience through signifiers because when the kids are riding their “Chopper” bikes the audience will see the bikes as a salute to their childhood and bring in a watercooler effect as they are more likely to go to someone and talk about that moment from the show.

Also, the use the sound in the show such as when the “Demogorgon” is chasing Will the sound goes very loud and bellowing. This has the effect of horror and supernatural which is the genres which Stranger things can be categorised into. This is done because it complements the opening scene of the man running through the lab where the audience is confused about what is going on and the loud sounds help build suspense. This helps build representation for different social groups because a younger audience likes to be scared and this show fits into the category of being able to scare people.

To conclude Netflix’s Stranger things represents different social groups with the use of signifiers and different editing techniques such as putting in loud, scary noises which help to build suspense and appeal to all the different types of people who would be watching the show.