‘Stranger Things’ Animated Spinoff ‘Tales From ’85’ Is a Depressing, Cynical Retread: TV Review

Home TV Reviews Apr 23, 2026 12:01am PT ‘Stranger Things’ Animated Spinoff ‘Tales From ’85’ Is a Depressing, Cynical Retread: TV Review By Alison Herman Plus Icon Alison Herman TV Critic aherman2006 Latest Animated Comedy ‘Kevin’ Is an Enjoyably Chaotic Feline Coming-of-Age: TV Review 3 days ago ‘Beef’ Is Overcrowded and Unfocused in an Unnecessary Season 2: TV Review 1 week ago ‘DTF St. Louis’ Creator on Who Killed Floyd and That Heartbreaking Finale: ‘All the Sweetness in the World Can’t Save’ Him 1 week ago See All Courtesy of Netflix Most spinoffs expand their flagship shows in a direction. That direction could be forward, following a beloved character past the events of the original story, á la “Frasier”; it could be backward, fleshing out the origins of a person or place with pre-established significance, the approach taken by both current “Game of Thrones” offshoots. It could even be lateral, simply transferring a concept to a different setting within the same universe in the time-honored tradition of procedurals like “CSI” or “Law & Order.” Related Stories 'Balls Up' Review: Ugly Americans Face the Wrath of Brazil in a Disposable Comic Jaunt for Mark Wahlberg and Paul Walter Hauser