Stranger Things Season 3 is set in the summer of 1985 in the town of Hawkins, Indiana. The story follows the main group of friends as they deal with new challenges, including a new mall called Starcourt Mall which becomes a central hub for the town. Meanwhile, a secret Russian lab beneath the mall is conducting experiments that open a new gateway to the Upside Down, unleashing a dangerous creature called the Mind Flayer. The season explores themes of friendship, growing up, and the struggle between good and evil. It also features plenty of 80s nostalgia, action, and emotional moments as the characters face threats both supernatural and personal. The season ends with a big showdown and some major changes for the group.