'Super 8': A Nostalgic Sci-Fi Ride for 'Stranger Things' Fans
Craving more supernatural adventure after 'Stranger Things'? 'Super 8' delivers a retro thrill with kids, mysteries, and government secrets. Find out why this Spielberg-produced gem is a must-watch.
With all the buzz around the last season of Netflix’s Stranger Things, plenty of punters are still on the lookout for something that scratches that same nostalgic itch. While classics like The Goonies and Stand By Me are always a safe bet for a bit of coming-of-age adventure, there’s a 2011 flick that ticks all the right boxes for anyone keen on a throwback. And with Steven Spielberg behind the scenes, you know you’re in for a treat.
Retro Vibes and Sci-Fi Thrills
Super 8, directed by J.J. Abrams (the bloke behind LOST and Star Wars: The Force Awakens), is a sci-fi adventure set in the late 1970s. The story follows a group of mates who, while shooting their own zombie film on a Super 8 camera, witness a shocking train crash. What starts as a bit of fun quickly spirals into something much bigger, with the kids stumbling into a world of strange happenings and secrets best left buried.
The film is packed with action, heart, and a fair bit of suspense. Abrams clearly took inspiration from Spielberg’s earlier work, like E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, and it shows. Sweeping set pieces, a cracking score from Michael Giacchino, and a young cast that really delivers make for a film that feels both fresh and familiar.
Cast, Characters, and Classic Tropes
Starring Joel Courtney, Elle Fanning, Kyle Chandler, Riley Griffiths, Ryan Lee, and Zach Mills, Super 8 brings together a group of kids who find themselves in way over their heads. Fans of Stranger Things will spot plenty of similarities: kids in danger, a supernatural puzzle, adults who just don’t get it, and a shadowy government lurking in the background. By the time the credits roll, you might reckon this film could’ve been the blueprint for the hit Netflix series.
The official synopsis sums it up:
"In 1979 Ohio, several youngsters (Fanning, Courtney, Gabriel Basso) are making a zombie movie with a Super-8 camera. In the midst of filming, the friends witness a horrifying train derailment and are lucky"
Why It’s Worth a Watch
Though it’s not currently streaming, Super 8 is easy enough to rent or buy digitally. For anyone who’s just finished binging Stranger Things and is after more of that blend of mystery, adventure, and a dash of the supernatural, this film is a solid pick. It’s got all the right ingredients: a tight-knit group of friends, a small town with big secrets, and enough twists to keep you guessing.
Whether you’re in it for the nostalgia, the suspense, or just a good old-fashioned yarn, Super 8 is well worth a look for anyone missing the days when a group of kids could save the world—one dodgy home video at a time.