The science fiction series 3 Body Problem on Netflix surged last year to become one of the most talked-about titles globally. The series amassed an astonishing 445 million hours of viewing in 2024, clearly demonstrating that its complex and sometimes elusive narrative resonated with a wide audience. While many viewers were initially skeptical about the possibility of adapting Liu Cixin's renowned novel, the viewership numbers validate that Netflix indeed has one of its biggest sci-fi successes on its hands.

The series follows a group of scientists confronted with a mystery rooted in the Chinese Cultural Revolution. An extraterrestrial civilization sends signals to Earth, leading to the breakdown of natural laws and humanity slowly realizing its position in the universe is less secure than previously thought. The tension builds without everything being immediately explained, providing both mystery and intellectual challenge to the series.

A Global Phenomenon

Aside from the impressive number of viewing hours, much has been said about the scale of the production. The series was developed by David Benioff and D.B. Weiss (known for Game of Thrones) and Alexander Woo, featuring international filming locations and a large ensemble cast. The visual translation of abstract concepts such as collapsing natural laws and the virtual world of the game 'Three Body' is a significant part of its appeal.

Given its success, a sequel seems inevitable. Netflix has already confirmed that work is underway for the second season. The creators have indicated that later parts of Liu Cixin's trilogy will be even more challenging and grand in scope, suggesting that the series will only become more ambitious. Fans are now waiting for news on the release date and how deeply the adaptation will delve into the source material.

Watching

If you haven't seen the series yet, we highly recommend you watch it on Netflix.

The most thrilling film of the year arrives on Netflix this Friday. A House of Dynamite is a new movie by Kathryn Bigelow, the Oscar-winning director known for films like The Hurt Locker and Zero Dark Thirty.

In A House of Dynamite, she revisits the war theme along with several well-known actors. The lead roles are played by Rebecca Ferguson (Dune) and Idris Elba (Heads of State).

Story

In A House of Dynamite, the United States is shaken by a hellish event. An unknown country has launched a nuclear missile, and they have less than 20 minutes before it strikes Chicago.

Ferguson plays Olivia Walker, a government official dealing with external threats. Idris Elba plays the president. Together, they attempt to intercept the missile, but when their methods fail, all hope seems lost...

This Week

Check out the trailer below. The film has received strong reviews from critics: on Rotten Tomatoes, it holds a score of 81%, with comments like "An absurdly thrilling" and "the boldest and most confident film Bigelow has ever made." A House of Dynamite will be available to watch on Netflix starting this Friday.

The world of Stranger Things will not come to a complete stop when the fifth season is released. While the story surrounding Hawkins concludes, Matt and Ross Duffer are working behind the scenes on a new project set in the same universe. This spin-off leaves the familiar characters behind and opts for a fresh approach with a brand new story and different main roles.

According to the Duffer brothers, the story of the Demogorgons, the Mind Flayer, Vecna, and Hawkins is fully told by the end of the fifth season. "This is a complete story. It is finished," says Matt Duffer. Therefore, the spin-off is not built on loose ends, but starts with new characters and a blank slate. However, the series will remain true to the recognizable style of Stranger Things, with young main roles, adventure, and science fiction elements.

A New World

Ross Duffer indicates that the new series is set in a different environment. "There will be connections, but it will be almost like an anthology," he explains. By not holding on to the existing mythology, the creators want to prevent the story from becoming burdensome and unnecessarily complicated. Matt emphasizes that it is liberating to be able to start anew without narrative constraints.

Matt and Ross remain closely involved with the spin-off as creators and creative advisors but will not take on the role of showrunner themselves. They are focusing on their new film and television projects under their contract with Paramount. "We hope to write and direct something new," says Ross.

More Than One Expansion

In addition to the live-action spin-off, Netflix is also working on an animated series: Stranger Things: Tales From '85. This series is being developed by Eric Robles. The Duffer Brothers have already seen a complete episode and described the result as very successful. Matt believes the animated series feels like a natural extension of the original series.



The first part of the fifth season of Stranger Things will be released on November 26 on Netflix. There is no information yet about the release date of Tales From '85 and the spin-off.