From Hawkins to NYC: ‘Stranger Things: Tales of ’85’ and ‘Kevin’ transport to animated otherworlds

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Welcome back to Cartoon Corner, where we take a look at animated shows. Cartoons have had their share of hits and misses over the years, but lately, they’ve been doing really well. They used to be made for a broad audience, then shifted towards kids with appeal for adults, and now often target adults directly – there’s a cartoon for everyone these days. It often seems easier to get a cartoon approved than a live-action show. Actors appreciate not having to deal with early mornings or extensive makeup, and animators can create incredibly imaginative worlds that would be difficult or impossible to achieve with live actors. The world of cartoons has changed a lot!

The new animated series, “Stranger Things: Tales from ‘85,” arrives on Netflix Thursday. It tells a story that takes place between seasons two and three of the show – after Eleven closes the gate to the Upside Down, but before the Russian plot unfolds. It’s common for TV shows to expand their stories through things like books, comics, or audio dramas, especially within genres like science fiction and adventure. We’ve seen this with shows like “Batman ’66” and even classic series like “The Brady Bunch.” Fans love getting more content, and “Stranger Things: Tales from ‘85” is similar to previous “Stranger Things” graphic novels, but with the added elements of animation, sound, and voice acting.

Trying to recreate “Stranger Things” now with the original cast would be fun, but impossible. Using AI to create copies of the actors would be disturbing and wrong, and besides, it would be far too expensive. Animation offers some real benefits: action scenes, like a fight with a Demogorgon, cost about the same as a simple diner scene. This means we can include more action, more monsters, and more opportunities for Eleven to use her powers. Plus, the story takes place in a snowy winter, which would have been difficult and costly to film with real people, but looks fantastic and creates a great atmosphere in animation.

This new version, led by Eric Robles, is a faster-paced, more focused story, removing the dramatic personal relationships that took up a lot of time in the original. It’s a classic tale of kids battling monsters, with adults mostly out of the picture – and in some ways, that makes it even better than “Stranger Things.” There’s a clear plot, a central mystery, exciting adventures (including a complex robbery), and plenty of bike rides, but what really stands out is the atmosphere. It perfectly captures the original setting with familiar locations, brands, time period details, and music, while also presenting it in a beautifully artistic and new way. It feels both nostalgic and innovative – you can follow the story closely, or simply enjoy the vibrant colors, clever designs, and movie-like visuals.

All your favorite characters from the live-action series return, joined by a new, standout addition named Nikki (Odessa A’zion). She’s instantly noticeable with her Mohawk, army jacket, and incredible ability to build weapons from everyday objects. After hearing about the trouble in Hawkins, she logically asks, “You went through all that and just went back to middle school?” – a question many viewers might have had. The animated versions of the characters look and feel just like their live-action counterparts (I particularly like the animated Max Mayfield, played by Jolie Hoang-Rappaport), though their large eyes and defined features sometimes give them a slightly puppet-like quality, reminiscent of shows like “Thunderbirds.” Their expressive faces are a classic cartoon technique, drawing on the traditions of Disney animation and generations of animators, which fits perfectly for a show that is, at its heart, a cartoon.

“Tales from ’85” offers a good amount of spooky suspense, but “Kevin,” currently streaming on Prime Video, is arguably more unsettling. The show, created by Joe Wengert and Aubrey Plaza, imagines a New York City where animals and humans share equal intelligence and the ability to speak, similar to “Bojack Horseman.” It explores the complex emotional bonds between people and their pets in a way that hints at something almost—but thankfully not quite—sexual, and may cause you to reconsider your own relationships with animals.

Kevin, a pampered tuxedo cat played by Jason Schwartzman, has his world turned upside down when his owners, Dana and Dan, get divorced. While stories about pet custody are common in films – going all the way back to classics like “The Awful Truth” – Kevin takes matters into his own paws and ventures out on his own, facing the harsh realities of city life, where even a tasty slice of pizza might be near something unpleasant.

He needed a place to stay and ended up at Furrever Friends, an animal shelter in Astoria, Queens, that feels more like a group home – they even have therapy sessions. The shelter is full of quirky animals, including Armando, a dramatic Persian cat (played by John Waters) who acts like a former Broadway director and always carries a cigarette holder; Cupcake, a scruffy hairless cat with a fondness for drugs; Judy, a sweet but clueless Scottish Fold kitten with perpetually teary eyes; a Russian rat who constantly tries to disguise himself; a squirrel hopelessly addicted to acorns; a grumpy St. Bernard who wistfully remembers a past he couldn’t possibly recall; and a bunch of other insects and animals I didn’t quite get the names of.

Television

Joe Wengert and Aubrey Plaza, who created the new Prime Video animated series, and the show’s talented cast discuss the funny adventures of its talking animal characters.

Running Furrever Friends centers around Brandi, a demanding Shih Tzu voiced by Amy Sedaris, and her human, Seth (Gil Ozeri). The show also features Patti LuPone as Patti LuPony, a horse caught up in a recurring storyline about a production of “Mame.” (Apparently, the New York stage is populated by horses!) Each episode tackles different situations, like a quarantine, an Animal of the Month contest, a kitten invasion, and a pet adoption event resembling a wedding in Provincetown, Rhode Island. Other storylines include a heat wave, a humorous dating episode where a character hilariously attempts to attract a mate, and a Fourth of July celebration that features drug use to cope with the loud fireworks.

Schwartzman’s gentle style is a perfect match for the character’s innocence, reminding one of his previous New York-based comedy, “Bored to Death.” While some scenes are visually unsettling and the show relies a bit too heavily on jokes about rear ends, the dialogue is genuinely funny—a standout line being, “Should we take Airborne? It was designed by teachers.” The social commentary is clever, and viewers familiar with New York City will appreciate the many local references, like scenes set in the Café Carlyle and Union Pool, and a character clearly inspired by Fran Lebowitz. Ultimately, the show is surprisingly heartwarming, portraying broken hearts and the realities of life, even in a cartoonish world.

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2026-04-23 13:34