It seems like lately Netflix (and other streaming services) has really been nailing the whole original content concept. That probably has something to do with the fact that they feel more free to take risks, as well as more comfortable picking up comic and book series to adapt.
Two of Netflix's most recent Fantasy series are Locke & Key and Stranger Things. Both have been smash hits, getting tons of views in their first week on the service – and both were immediately approved for more seasons. Now, Stranger Things is gearing up for its fourth season, while Locke & Key is still celebrating the release of its first.
But the real question is, which one is the best? Is it Locke & Key. Or is it Stranger Things? Read our arguments, and decide for yourself.
10 Locke & Key: The Intrigue of the Keys
Let's face it, there is something so compelling and fascinating about the keys used and presented in Locke & Key. That alone would be enough to draw almost any fan to the series – and it has.
These keys are fascinating, with their variety in designs, powers, and rules. The Netflix series has only shown a small handful of the keys we know to exist, and yet we can't seem to turn away from them. Instead, we're hoping for another glimpse, another rule, another revelation.
9 Stranger Things: Eleven's Powers
Eleven's powers have been one of the focal points for Stranger Things. Without her, and without her powers, the series wouldn't have gone on for so long. And not just because there's no way the characters would have survived without her.
The fact that Eleven's powers come hand and hand with a tragic and complex backstory? That just makes her all the more interesting. It also makes fans a bit more curious and desperate to see what else is going on (as evidenced by all the spin-off comics and books talking about the other test subjects).
8 Locke & Key: The Family Dynamics
Locke & Key has some strong, yet slightly messed up, family dynamics. It's one of the things that makes the show so great. Here we have three siblings (Tyler, Kinsey, and Bode), alongside their widowed mother, and the memory of their father.
Their family is already abnormal, thanks to the tragedy. But their dynamics are a balance of unique and familiar, with the children truly caring about one another... even while they get into all sorts of strange and weird situations.
7 Stranger Things: The Upside Down
The Upside Down is another fascinating element to come from Stranger Things. Really, who can blame fans from becoming a little bit obsessed (and terrified) about it? It's a twisted and warped version of the reality presented during the series, and that makes it all the creepier.
It's a thematically strong decision, one that allows for rules and foundations. And yet there's something that feels so other and unknown about it at the same time. Perhaps that is why fans are drawn to it so much. Or perhaps it's the constant threat it poses.
6 Locke & Key: The Terror of the Unknown
Speaking of the terror of the unknown, that's a strong element in Locke & Key. These are children who essentially don't have a clue what they're messing with. They found a bunch of mysterious keys, and are going up against people and creatures that they have a very limited understanding of.
The fact that there's something larger at work than human greed just makes the whole series all the more thrilling. This series has perfected the concept of the fear of the unknown, thanks to the introduced themes of larger powers and possessions.
5 Stranger Things: The Setting
There is something so nostalgic and charming about the setting for Stranger Things. Set in the 1980s, this whole series reminds us of a past that was. For some, it's like taking a delightful trip to the past. For others (the younger generations), it's this strange setting full of sometimes comical elements. Okay, that might be true even for those that lived during those times. But that just makes it all the more fun!
The truth of the matter is, the setting for this series does make it stand apart. It isn't a time period or location you'll find in a lot of popular series at the moment, and that makes it refreshingly different.
4 Locke & Key: The Foreshadowing
If there's one thing that Locke & Key has nailed, it's the foreshadowing. There's this constant sense of dread the lingers throughout the whole series. You always know that something is going to happen, and frequently the series will even leave subtle hints for what that will be.
Let's face it: every time one of the Locke children finds a key, you felt immediately excited. Followed by a feeling of concern, because you could see how things were about to go wrong. It's a balance that the series really did master.
3 Stranger Things: Lovecraftian Horror
Stranger Things has a lot of things going for it, not least of which is the Lovecraftian vibe fans get while watching the series. Many of the 'others' in this series feel like something that Lovecraft himself would have thought of.
They're larger than life (sometimes literally), dangerous, and very much play on that whole fear of the unknown that we've already talked about. All combined together, it makes for a thrilling series.
2 Locke & Key: The Setting
Locke & Key's setting is another noteworthy element for the series. There are a lot of choices being done right here. From the small town vibes to the presentation of Keyhouse, and even the inclusion of the boarding school.
All of these elements set the scene, and there is something both familiar and foreign in that, a fact that works out well in this case. Though of course, our biggest draw is Keyhouse itself, which is a source of endless fascination.
1 Stranger Things: The Characters
Last, but certainly not least, we have the characters themselves. The characters that make up the cast of Stranger Things are so unique and so very much human. They're memorable, iconic, and a delight to watch.
Well, the children are a delight, in any case. Some of the adults (mainly the antagonists) can be downright creepy. But that's all part of the allure, don't you think?
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