Stranger Things is one of Netflix’s most beloved original series, blending supernatural horror, 1980s nostalgia, and coming-of-age drama in a way that has captivated audiences worldwide. But beneath its layers of government conspiracies, parallel dimensions, and Dungeons & Dragons references, the show is steeped in the influence of Stephen King. From character archetypes to specific scenes and thematic elements, Stranger Things feels like a love letter to King’s horror and sci-fi storytelling. In this article, we’ll explore how the work of Stephen King has shaped Stranger Things, drawing detailed comparisons between its storylines, characters, themes, locations, and production design.
The Influence of Carrie: Eleven’s Powers and Coming-of-Age Horror
One of the most direct influences of Stephen King’s work on Stranger Things is found in the character of Eleven, played by Millie Bobby Brown. Her story bears striking similarities to Carrie (1974), King’s debut novel about a teenage girl with telekinetic powers.
- Telekinetic Abilities: Both Eleven and Carrie White possess extraordinary psychic abilities, specifically telekinesis. Eleven uses her powers to flip vans, break doors, and even crush bones, much like Carrie, who famously destroys an entire town in a fit of rage.
- Abuse and Isolation: Carrie is subjected to relentless bullying at school and psychological torment from her religious mother. Similarly, Eleven grows up in the Hawkins National Laboratory, where she is cruelly experimented on by Dr. Brenner. Both characters suffer at the hands of authority figures and struggle with a deep sense of isolation.
- Climactic Scenes of Revenge: One of Stranger Things’ most memorable scenes in Season 1 is when Eleven, blood trickling from her nose, uses her powers to kill agents in Hawkins Lab. This moment mirrors the infamous Carrie prom scene, where Carrie, drenched in pig’s blood, unleashes her powers in an uncontrollable massacre.
The Duffer Brothers, creators of Stranger Things, have openly acknowledged Carrie as an inspiration, even considering the possibility of a crossover if Netflix ever acquired the rights.
IT and the Dangers of Small-Town America
King’s IT (1986) is another major influence on Stranger Things, particularly in its focus on a group of kids confronting a supernatural force in a small town. The connections between Stranger Things and IT are numerous:
- The Losers’ Club vs. The Party: In IT, a group of outcast kids called the Losers’ Club bands together to fight Pennywise, the evil shape-shifting clown that haunts Derry, Maine. Likewise, Mike, Will, Lucas, and Dustin form The Party, their own tight-knit group in Hawkins, Indiana, as they battle the Demogorgon and later the Mind Flayer.
- Will Byers and Georgie Denbrough: Will’s abduction into the Upside Down in Season 1 is eerily similar to Georgie’s fate in IT, where Pennywise drags him into the sewers. Both disappearances set the stage for the overarching conflict of their respective stories.
- The Concept of a Dark Parallel World: The Upside Down in Stranger Things functions much like the underbelly of Derry in IT, a dark, alternate reality filled with monsters and supernatural horror. The Mind Flayer is even visually reminiscent of Pennywise, an entity that feeds on fear and lurks beneath the surface.
- Scenes That Mirror IT: The scene where Eleven and the boys ride their bikes to evade government agents is almost identical to the famous bike chase in IT, where the Losers’ Club flees Henry Bowers and his gang. Additionally, the eerie red balloons from IT are echoed in Stranger Things when red lights flicker ominously, signaling the presence of the Demogorgon.
The Duffer Brothers have acknowledged that they wanted Stranger Things to feel like a “long-lost Stephen King adaptation,” and their use of IT as a blueprint for childhood horror and camaraderie is a testament to that vision.
Thematic Similarities: Government Conspiracies and Hidden Evils
A key theme in many of King’s books is the idea that the government—or some larger, shadowy institution—knows more than it lets on. Stranger Things borrows heavily from this idea, particularly in its depiction of Hawkins Lab and the MKUltra experiments.
- Government Experiments on Children: In Firestarter (1980), a young girl named Charlie McGee develops pyrokinetic powers after her parents participate in a government-run drug experiment. This bears striking resemblance to Eleven’s origins, where her mother was subjected to mind-control experiments, leading to Eleven’s telekinetic and psychic abilities.
- The Secret Facility: Much like Hawkins Lab, King’s The Institute (2019) tells the story of a facility where children with special abilities are captured and experimented on. The eerie, clinical environment of both locations amplifies the sense of paranoia and helplessness.
- The Government’s Role in Horror: King often writes about the government being responsible for unleashing the very horrors it seeks to contain, as seen in The Mist (1980) and The Stand (1978). Similarly, Hawkins Lab is responsible for opening the gate to the Upside Down, leading to catastrophic consequences.
Setting and Production Design: The King-Inspired Look of Hawkins
The setting of Hawkins, Indiana, is reminiscent of the small, sleepy towns in King’s novels, such as Castle Rock and Derry. These towns share certain defining features:
- A Quaint Town with a Dark Underbelly: Like Castle Rock in Needful Things (1991) or Derry in IT, Hawkins seems like a normal town but is home to terrifying supernatural forces.
- Retro 1980s Aesthetic: King’s most famous works, such as The Shining (1977) and IT, are rooted in the late ’70s and ’80s. Stranger Things embraces this aesthetic, filling its world with wood-paneled basements, neon-lit arcades, and classic Stephen King paperback covers lining bookshelves.
- The ‘Missing Kid’ Trope: Many of King’s stories begin with a child going missing—Georgie in IT, Gage in Pet Sematary (1983), or Danny Torrance in The Shining. Similarly, Stranger Things kicks off with the disappearance of Will Byers, evoking the same sense of dread and urgency.
So: The King Legacy in Stranger Things
The influence of Stephen King on Stranger Things is undeniable. From Eleven’s tragic parallels to Carrie, to IT’s Losers’ Club inspiring The Party, and the government conspiracies of Firestarter, the series is deeply embedded with King’s DNA. The Duffer Brothers have crafted a series that doesn’t just pay homage to King’s horror but actively recreates the atmosphere, character depth, and existential dread that make his stories so compelling.
For fans of Stranger Things who want to experience its literary roots, diving into Stephen King’s novels is the perfect next step. Whether it’s the telekinetic terror of Carrie, the childhood horrors of IT, or the sinister government experiments of Firestarter, the master of horror’s influence continues to shape the landscape of modern storytelling.
