One way to generate hype for your upcoming TV series? Leave audiences with a cliff-hanger to end all cliff-hangers - which is exactly why Stranger Things Vol 2 is hoping to achieve with its new trailer.
Vol 1, which aired in June (and to which we gave four stars) , saw new terrors plague the town of Hawkins, Indiana. Eleven (played by Millie Bobby Brown) has lost her powers, the gang are growing up, and to make things worse, a new terror is stalking the town.
Courtesy of some terrifying-looking prosthetics, Vecna is stalking people in the Upside-Down before killing them in ever-more grotesque ways.
Though Steve, Robin, Nancy and Eddie managed to escape the Upside-Down at the end of the season, from the looks of it, the danger might not be over yet – and El’s quest to get her powers is still ongoing despite her discovery of who Vecna truly is.
“I know you’re frightened. You’re terribly frightened by what you’ve seen, but I’m not going to lie to you. Your friends are not prepared for this fight. Hawkins will fall,” Dr Brenner is overheard telling Eleven.
“My friends need me,” she responds.
“You’re not ready,” he replies – hinting that it might be a while before she’s reunited with the rest of the gang.
The trailer then cuts to Nancy facing Vecna in the ruined Hawkins lab where he killed all of El’s fellow students.
“He’s not going to stop. Not until he’s taken everyone,” Will says, before Robin adds: “I have a terrible feeling that it’s not going to work out for us this time.”
Meanwhile, Hopper, Joyce and Murray still appear to be trapped in the Russian prison of Vol 1. By the looks of things, the Demogorgon Hopper fought off is still in the facility, and it’s out for blood.
The whole soundtrack is underpinned by the dulcet tones of Kate Bush, whose song Running Up That Hill went to number one thanks to its appearance in the first part of the season.
Proving that Netflix is never one to underestimate a viral moment, it’s safe to say that she will be a fixture in Vol 2 as well.
Naturally, fans were desperate to find out more about what was in store for the gang.
“If Steve dies I’m sending Netflix the therapy bill,” one wrote, while another agreed, saying: “This whole trailer gives me chills every time I watch it. The music combo, the use of quotes from vol 2 such as “I have a feeling it’s not gonna work out for us this time.” said by Robin. I cannot wait for vol 2 in July [sic]”.
Neither can we: Stranger Things Vol 2 will be available to watch on Netflix from July 1.
