“Stranger Things: The Experience”: what is the immersive exhibition worth on the Netflix series?
“Are you having nice nightmares? Not too much insomnia? “As soon as you enter the immersive experience of the series” Stranger Things » which opens at the Paris Event Center this Friday, March 10 and until the summer of 2023, the tone is set. Strange characters in white coats mysteriously scrutinize the participants who have come to venture into the laboratory of Hawkins, the imaginary city of the Netflix phenomenon production which tells the adventures of a band of teenagers confronted with strange phenomena in the years 1980.
Arriving on site, the visitor realizes that he will serve as a guinea pig. Because a new study on sleep must be launched by the evil doctor Brenner. Obviously, not everything goes as planned and the protagonists will have to join forces, and the powers attributed to them in small groups, to escape the “demogorgons”, the frightening creatures of the story, with the help of the heroes of the series, Eleven, Dustin, Max, Will and the others.
And once the mission is accomplished, which lasts about 45 minutes, head to the 1980s at the Mix-tape space, which resembles the shopping center that we discover in season 2. Everyone can find food, drinks , derivative products, and take a picture of themselves in certain settings.
Colorful atmosphere
The experience is accessible to everyone. If it has already been a success in the United States and London, it arrives for the first time in France in Paris, a year after the first reconstitution of the “Stranger Things” universe at the Cirque d’Hiver. Both interactive and immersive, the attraction plunges the public directly into the colorful atmosphere of the series.
A successful adventure also thanks to the work of the actors who play the fake scientists and the amazing special effects. “It’s a family experience during which you don’t have time to get bored. It’s very interactive, and when faced with technological effects and 3D, we have to go wow. », Compliments Marius, 18, who was able to enjoy the experience with his parents in preview.
” It was so good ! », exclaims Corentin, 7, playing pinball in the Mix-Tape. “He got into the game well, but he was still scared several times,” adds his mother next door. “But the scenario is a bit linear,” tempers all the same Olivier, 50, who also came to test the exhibition.
Will she be able to seduce?
The concept of an immersive experience, combining soundscapes, collaborative team games, and cutting-edge visual animations, between a somewhat easy part of an escape game and a theme park, is not new. It had already been proposed with the Spanish series “La Casa De Papel” in 2021 in Paris and will also be at the heart of the Harry Potter exhibition expected in a few weeks at Porte de Versailles.
It remains to be seen whether this new way of approaching “Stranger Things” will be as successful in France as in other countries. “ We are hopeful because we have a strong community that is responding. Fans were interested in the pop-up store proposal on the Champs-Élysées last year, so this is like an extension with a different approach”, estimates Jade Mazaud, the manager in charge of the project.
You still have to accept to pay the price. “ Frankly 50 euros is a bit hot. It’s too short for that price”, comments Oliver. But at the exit, we still want to stay immersed in this 1980s atmosphere and, after having tasted American hot dogs and taken a few selfies with Vecna, to listen again “Running Up That Hill” Kate Bush’s hit brought up to date by the series.
“Stranger Things: The Experience”, at the Paris Event Center, Paris 19th century, from Wednesday to Sunday. Tickets 37 euros for minors and 49 euros for over 18s.
