‘Tales From the Loop’ is the Perfect Sci-Fi Show for ‘Stranger Things’ Fans

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If you weren’t thrilled with the final season of Stranger Things, a fantastic science fiction series is now available on Prime Video. Stranger Things blends sci-fi with a lot of nostalgia, but this 8-episode series from 2020, inspired by Swedish art books, offers a more thought-provoking exploration of what it means to be alive. Though both shows are seen through the eyes of children, this Prime Video series tackles deeper, more existential questions that Stranger Things doesn’t.

Inspired by the retro-futuristic art of Simon Stålenhag, the Prime Video series Tales From the Loop is a truly impressive show. It feels more mature and thoughtful than Stranger Things, making the latter seem simplistic in comparison. Though the eight episodes initially appear unconnected, they cleverly come together in a rewarding finale. Tales From the Loop explores big, universal ideas that Stranger Things generally avoids.

How ‘Tales From the Loop’ Compares To ‘Stranger Things’

Like Stranger Things, which is set in the seemingly quiet town of Hawkins, Indiana during the 1980s, Tales From the Loop also unfolds in a small Midwestern town reimagined in the 1980s. This town is Mercer, Ohio, and its most prominent feature is the Mercer Center for Experimental Physics. Beneath the surface lies ‘The Loop,’ a facility where scientists use a strange machine to push the boundaries of physics and achieve incredible discoveries.

Like Stranger Things, Tales From the Loop is told from the perspective of kids and teenagers. The story centers on George (played as an adult by Paul Schneider and as a child by Emjay Anthony) and Loretta (Rebecca Hall as an adult and Abby Ryder Fortson as a child), both of whom work at “The Loop.” They unexpectedly come across younger versions of themselves and try to figure out what’s happening, especially concerning their sons, Cole (Shane Carruth as an adult and Duncan Joiner as a child) and Jakob (Daniel Zolghadri).

While Stranger Things eventually became a fairly simple monster show that didn’t live up to the hype, Tales From the Loop on Prime Video is a captivating series that explores deep questions about life. It’s a beautifully made show with just eight episodes, earning an 87% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and tells emotionally powerful stories that connect with both children and adults in a way Stranger Things never quite achieved.

Where ‘Tales From the Loop’ Leaves ‘Stranger Things’ Behind

Beyond its captivating premise, Tales From the Loop skillfully blends artistry and science to explore profound questions about the universe – questions that go much deeper than those in Stranger Things. As Cole and Loretta investigate their connection to their past selves, the show delves into complex ideas about the nature of time, how fragile life and memories are, and the potential consequences of relying too much on technology – themes Stranger Things never dared to tackle.

All eight episodes of Tales From the Loop were written by a single person, Nathaniel Halpern, but each was directed by a different filmmaker. From experienced sci-fi directors like Mark Romanek (Never Let Me Go), Andrew Stanton (WALL-E), Ti West (Wayward Pines), and even Jodie Foster (Black Mirror), the show’s strength lies in how these seemingly separate stories eventually connect in a beautifully cohesive way. Despite its non-traditional structure, the series brilliantly brings Cole’s story full circle, demonstrating the power and potential of science fiction at its best.

Even if you quickly forget the details of Stranger Things Season 5, Tales From the Loop will remind you how satisfying smart science fiction on TV can be. Instead of relying on nostalgia, the show focuses on imagining what the future holds for humanity.

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2026-03-31 17:04