Overview
- The Duffer Brothers draw from Stephen King’s “IT”when crafting Stranger Things season 5.
- Character development in Stranger Things will likely delve into themes of trauma, similar to those explored in “IT”.
- Both Stranger Things and “IT”feature common elements such as chilling antagonists and small-town dynamics.
Stranger Things and the works of Stephen King share striking similarities, from the narrative focus on youthful characters to the sinister atmosphere of small-town America. While Hawkins, Indiana, is not the Maine setting typically found in King’s novels, it possesses an eerie quality where monstrous beings could easily emerge. It’s no surprise that the Duffer Brothers, avid admirers of King, often reference his influence in interviews.
As anticipation builds for the final season of Stranger Things, slated for release in 2025, fans are eager not only for updates on the series but also for insights into its creative inspirations. In 2016, Matt and Ross Duffer expressed their admiration for a specific Stephen King novel, highlighting its potential impact on the direction of Stranger Things season 5.
Exploring Trauma in Stranger Things Season 5 through the Lens of Stephen King’s IT
During a 2016 discussion with The Hollywood Reporter, the Duffer Brothers identified “It”as a pivotal work that influenced their creative vision. Ross Duffer noted:
“It’s probably It for both of us. It’s the big one, and It is obviously a huge inspiration for the show. That’s probably the biggest, I think just because we’re the age of those characters when we’re reading it, so it’s not that his other books aren’t amazing, they were.”
Stephen King’s “IT, ”adapted into two films—IT: Chapter One and IT: Chapter Two—depicts protagonists grappling with traumatic childhood experiences and feelings of neglect. As they band together for support, they confront the horrifying presence of Pennywise the Dancing Clown, causing their lives to spiral into chaos.
For the concluding season of Stranger Things, I propose that the narrative should address the emotional scars left on Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) and her friends from their encounters in the Upside Down. A closing montage featuring the characters seeking therapy and processing their traumatic pasts could provide a profound conclusion to the storyline.
The journey of these characters has been fraught with challenges, from Will Byers (Noah Schnapp) experiencing the horrors of the Upside Down in the inaugural season to Eleven’s traumatic past at Hawkins Lab. Although a resolution with a sense of happiness is desired, it would be unrealistic to overlook the struggles they have endured. The success of IT: Chapter One and IT: Chapter Two lies in their depiction of characters confronting their dark histories. Seeing The Losers Club evolve is intriguing, suggesting that even a brief insight into Eleven and her friends as adults who have triumphed over their trauma would skillfully tie the narrative together.
Key Similarities Between Stranger Things and Stephen King’s IT
Stranger Things and IT are interconnected through various thematic elements. Both series center on a group of friends—the Party in Stranger Things akin to The Losers Club from Derry, Maine—who face unspeakable evils in their small-town settings.
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