SEXTANT: masculinities, sexualities & decolonialities

ABSTRACT

As the topic of masculinity becomes more frequently discussed in the media, it is crucial that we examine films and television shows to determine how masculinities are portrayed and what message is being delivered to the audience. After all, the establishment and maintenance of hegemonic masculine norms and expectations rely heavily on the mainstream media. This article investigates how the Netflix original series, Stranger Things, has combined traditional masculine tropes with feminist ideologies to challenge hegemonic masculine ideals, particularly those that were prevalent in 1980s USA, in which the show is set, through a close analysis of the Netflix series using the works of Critical Studies of Men and Masculinities scholars Kimmel and Connell. Stranger Things explores the complexities and realities of both hegemonic and non-traditional masculinity by portraying male characters who are experiencing a crisis in masculinity, as well as the representation of unconventional male leads. This portrayal goes beyond the tough guy violent hero in order to reveal more complex male characters who struggle to adhere to hegemonic masculine ideals.

KEY WOrDS

Hegemonic masculinities; Stranger Things; Connell; Alternative masculinities

Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.