Strangers Things makes a statement with the King of Pop
Jigsaw will be no match for Netflix

October 27, 2017, a date that will live in infamy. Halloween weekend sees the release of both Stranger Things Season 2 and Jigsaw, a reboot of the Saw franchise. Judging from Google search data and anecdotal evidence from Facebook, Stranger Things is a lot more anticipated.
If the disparity in hype isn’t the best sign of the times, I can’t think of a better one. These days of Peak TV have utterly changed the theatrical market. More and more movies are based on prior intellectual property as a way to guarantee some level of success. While horror has shown a greater willingness to birth new franchises recently (Paranormal Activity, The Purge, The Conjuring), this timid approach to film development is why we’re getting a Saw reboot just seven years(!) after the franchise ended.
Lionsgate, the distributor, clearly remembers the days when Saw movies filled their coffers. Heck, when Saw was at it’s peak, it’s tagline was: “If it’s Halloween, it must be Saw!”
Saw owned the world’s spookiest holiday; that’s how iconic it was.
But Stranger Things has established its own supremacy in the pop culture lexicon. The Netflix show might be a (well made) pastiche of 80’s fright-masters like Stephen King, Steven Spielberg and John Carpenter, but it’s been better embraced as a ripoff of said pop culture than a reboot of anything specific in particular. It’s sad to see the film world go for a rehash of the Saw franchise rather than anything original.
In a weird twist, Stranger Things comes courtesy of The Duffer Brothers while Jigsaw was directed by The Spierig Brothers. I guess horror just comes naturally to brothers! The latter pair have made some pretty cool movies, which makes their reboot a little underwhelming. They’re the type of filmmakers who could helm the next Conjuring if they just had a chance. One big success and you can really control your career. That’s best evidenced by the ad campaign for the triumphant return of Stranger Things in season two.
When I watched the full Stranger Things season 2 trailer released at San Diego Comic Con a few days ago, I was delighted to hear they cut the clip to “Thriller” by Michael Jackson.
Linking the show to the most famous Halloween song ever is a cheeky move. It’s also totally appropriate for a show as popular and beloved as Stranger Things. They’ve earned.
Say it with me now: If it’s Halloween…it must be Stranger Things!
Stranger Things season 2 and Jigsaw release on October 27, 2017.
This is where I put the call to action, right? Well, if you liked what you read, please consider following me or my publication My Movie Life. You can also recommend this piece if you think other people would like it. Many thanks!

