It hasn’t been long since the premier of Netflix’s latest hit: Stranger Things. Compared to other famous series like Breaking Bad or Game of Thrones, the original production took only a single season to become famous. Its captivating story made all the viewers finish watching the first season in record time.
Serving as an homage to the 80s, this show has won good reviews and a large, faithful audience. We invite you to keep reading to find all the references that are tucked away in the series, because this little town of Hawkins isn’t the only place with secrets.
WARNING: SPOILER ALERT!
The initial credits are a clear reference to the 80s horror movies. The font reminds us of the first editions of Stephen King’s books, especially Needful Things, and the music is similar to the original soundtrack of Halloween.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FpHNlx0pPIU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tq4GdBfLjsg
X-Men
In the pilot, Will and Dustin make a bet over volume 134 of the X-Men. Mentioning this comic was not random, since in Volume 134 we discover Dark Phoenix, which is Jean Grey’s alter ego, and who has similar powers to the ones of Eleven.
The Lord Of The Rings
There are obvious references to Tolkien’s work in Stranger Things. For instance, the street where Will disappears is named Mirkwood, which is the name of the dark forest in The Lord Of The Rings. The password used to enter Will’s fort is Radagast, and that is the name of the third magician who inhabits Middle Earth.
Alien
The world that is discovered in the middle of the season is a reference to Alien. The eggs shown in a scene resemble those in the movie when it comes to color and size. Additionally, when Will is found, he has some sort of tube in his mouth and we know that in Alien, humans were controlled by the creatures in a similar way.
Altered States and Minority Report
In order to enter an alternative reality, Eleven uses a water tank and breaths through a helmet. The second time she needs to travel to that universe, she uses a swimming pool, as a suggestion by the kids’ Science professor. In Altered States, a water tank is used, and in Minority Report, the precogs (the creatures that make the predictions of the crimes) live in some sort of pool.
The Evil Dead
This is an obvious reference for the fans of the movie. A poster of the motion picture hangs from the wall of Jonathan’s room. In the time period where the series is set, the film had already been on the market for two years.
Under the Skin
The series shows a connection between Eleven and the monster, a scenario which is similar to the one in the movie. In the dimension of Under the Skin, the creature feeds from humans.
Birdman
When the character of Winona Ryder uses the Christmas tree lights to try to contact Will, the room is filled with bright colors. The cinematography of this scene seems like a subtle homage to González Iñárritu’s Oscar winning production.
The Goonies
Both plots involve a group of friends who are bullied because of their eccentric likes and tastes.
Quentin Tarantino
After a few episodes, the references to the work of this acclaimed director become clear. Tarantino popularized the trunk shot, which is a cinematic camera angle that captures film from the bottom looking up. This style is also applied in Stranger Things.
A Tribute To Famous Directors
Steven Spielberg
E.T.
Kids riding their bikes and white biohazard suits used by the scientists working for the government are some references to Spielberg’s work.
Close Encounters of the Third Kind
The similarities lie on the fact that both productions are established in a town surrounded by mystery. The use of lights and sounds as a form of communication is another homage to the motion picture.
Poltergeist
David Cronenberg
A creature that emerges from the TV was used by Cronenberg in Videodrome, but in this case, it comes out from the walls of Will’s room. In addition, Eleven is able to kill her enemies through telekinesis, in a less violent form than the one portrayed in Scanners.
John Carpenter
“The thing” is a clear homage to the creatures and monsters prevalent in horror movies, and it is a visual reminder of the ones created by Guillermo del Toro.
Stephen King
Even the famous writer is aware of the multiple references used throughout the series as a homage to his work. A girl with mental superpowers, a fight against a superior creature using a slingshot are just a few of the tributes we can mention, along with the terrifying scenarios the kids must live through.
If you haven’t discovered all these hidden references, perhaps it is time to watch the series a second, or a third time. It won’t be a waste of time!
