Stranger Things is an American science fiction-horror web television series created, written, directed and co-executive produced by the Duffer Brothers. Set in the fictional town of Hawkins, Indiana in the 1980s The nearby Hawkins National Laboratory performs scientific research for the United States Department of Energy, but secretly does experiments into the paranormal and supernatural, including those that involve human test subjects. So, they have created a portal to an alternate dimension called "the Upside Down". The influence of the Upside Down starts to affect the unknowing residents of Hawkins in disastrous ways. DUSTIN He’s the one that always holds the group together when it looks like things might fall apart – he brings Mike and Lucas back together when it matters most, is always fair and kind to El, and is never afraid to call out any of his friends when they’re out of line. He’s the smartest, funniest, and definitely the most enthusiastic member of the gang – just remember how happy he was when he found that chocolate pudding ELEVEN El doesn’t really say that much throughout the show’s eight episodes, but she doesn’t need to. She's perhaps the most convincing character in the whole show, despite, y’know, being able to flip vans with her mind. HOPER Hopper is definitely the most interesting and complex of the “normal” characters. When we first meet him we think he’s just some drunk waster, then shit, turns out he’s a cop! WILL He’s the group’s leader – the one who gives a home and some hope to El, and who rallies the gang together to find their friend. LUCAS He’s the most logical member of the group, he’s very kind-hearted, and is also extremely brave JOYCE we can’t really mention Joyce without mentioning how completely excellent Winona Ryder was throughout the whole season, not that we’re in any way surprised. NANCY She is able to see the best in both Steve and Jonathan – two characters who are deeply flawed in very different ways JONATHAN it’s hard not to like and respect him for the devotion that he shows to his family, and also to Nancy when they start working together to take down the monster. the older brother of Will Byers and the son of Joyce Byers. He is a quiet teenager, an outsider at school, and an aspiring photographer. He is close with his mother and brother BRENNER the scientist in charge of Hawkins Laboratory. He is manipulative and remote STEVE A popular high school student and the boyfriend of Nancy Wheeler.