Horror References in STRANGER THINGS 4 You Might Have Missed

The creators of Stranger Things, the Duffer brothers, have done their pop culture homework and wove a number of different references into their work, intended as a kind of wink to the viewer. The expression easter egg colloquially refers to content contained in a work, whether cinematic or otherwise, that refers to other pop culture products. This compilation focuses on the horror-related treats hidden in the two final episodes of the series. And you, have you noticed any other references?

WARNING, SPOILERS!

Lovecraft – ancient horror

The creators still have not explained the origin of the powers of the main antagonist Vecna, also known as One or Henry Creel, but they left fans a clue that can be found if the series is watched with English subtitles. Every time the villain uses his powers, the phrase eldritch appears, which directly references the works of H.P. Lovecraft, and which has already appeared previously, among other things, in another series – Chilling Adventures of Sabrina. One can therefore infer that One’s powers come from another dimension, most likely from the other side.

Halloween (1978)

In the previous part of the season, the creators made a big nod to Wes Craven’s A Nightmare on Elm Street. This time the focus was on the iconic classic by John Carpenter, Halloween. The creators referenced it not only in terms of sound design, but also by including several direct references and some less obvious ones in the series.

The most characteristic moment is the scene in which Eddie Munson, trying to conceal his identity, borrows from Max a replica of the mask, specifically the iconic one worn by Michael Myers in the classic horror saga. Of course, it appeared in the second season when the character wore it for Halloween, embodying the infamous killer.

Another reference is the scene of the final confrontation between Vecna and the trio of heroes – Nancy, Robin, and Steve. The antagonist is first hit by two Molotov cocktails, then becomes a target for Mike’s sister. The force of the projectiles pushes him so hard that he falls through the attic window, landing on the ground. However, when the group goes to check if he is really dead, the body magically disappears.

A very similar scene occurs in the first Halloween movie, where in the climactic fight between Dr. Sam Loomis and Michael Myers, Loomis shoots the killer several times with a revolver, causing Myers to fall from the second floor through a railing. Moments later, Loomis looks to check if he is alive, but the body is gone.

I discovered one more reference, though perhaps not as obvious as it might seem. It concerns the moment when Michael Myers pins one of the unsuspecting characters to a door with a knife. The main antagonist then makes a characteristic movement with his head, to the left side. Vecna performs the same movement several times. Perhaps it is a coincidence, or perhaps the creators wanted to pay tribute to the cult classic.

Hellraiser (1987)

The fourth season also references another classic work, Clive Barker’s Hellraiser. This includes both a series of direct references and those more hidden from the viewer’s eye. First, attention should be drawn to the characteristic rose-stained glass doors decorating the entrance to the Creel family home in Hawkins. Very similar rose-stained glass doors appear several times in the horror from the late 1980s. I do not know if this is overinterpretation, but in both productions, the attic plays an extremely important role.

In Hellraiser, it is there that potential victims are lured, hunted by the monster Frank. In Stranger Things, we see that the attic is where young Henry spends a lot of time as a child, as well as where he enters a trance to attack his next victims. The creators themselves stated in one interview that Pinhead, the main antagonist of Barker’s film, was one of the inspirations for the creation of Vecna. Both antagonists were originally human, who through contact with power from another dimension, transform into distorted villains.

The Alien series

Fans of the Alien series will certainly have picked up all the references appearing in the final episodes of season four of Stranger Things.

Let us start with the most obvious scene, when in the Russian prison Hopper, Joyce, and Murray enter a secret laboratory, where they find a Demogorgon and dormant Demopsy in large containers filled with liquid. I do not know about you, but the scene immediately reminded me of Alien: Resurrection directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet; a clone of Ripley, along with a group of smugglers, enters the laboratory where clones of Xenomorphs are submerged in identical containers. It should also not be forgotten that Winona Ryder, who plays Joyce in the series, appeared in that film.

There is also a reference to Corporal Dwayne Hicks from Aliens. Perhaps it is purely coincidental, but in both productions the same phrase is spoken – Quarter and search by twos. Interestingly, in Stranger Things immediately after this phrase is spoken, Sullivan addresses a soldier named Hicks. Coincidence? I do not think so. Another reference to the 1986 film Aliens concerns the phrase Dr. Owens uses to Eleven: Hi, kiddo. It is the same expression used by Carter Burke towards Ellen Ripley. Owens and Burke were played by the same actor – Paul Reiser.

The chase scene in the Russian prison was strongly inspired by the third Alien film, specifically the final chase between the group of prisoners and the Alien. David Harbour spoke about the references to this film even before the series premiere.

Carrie (1976)

Episode nine of the series is also strongly inspired by Brian De Palma’s film Carrie. Max tries to hide from Vecna in her happy memory, which is the school prom. At one point, the balloons decorating the room begin to burst, revealing bloody contents. As is known, the prom in Carrie ends with pigs’ blood being poured over the participants and a massacre. It is also worth noting that the blue-colored decorations reference the decorations from the 1976 production.

I found one more reference in this scene, this time to the 1990 miniseries It. In one of the scenes there are also balloons that burst with blood inside.

Stephen King

The creators of the series would not be themselves if they did not reference the master of horror himself, Stephen King, paying him tribute in the final minutes of the series finale. In these scenes, we see Lucas reading a passage from the book The Talisman, written by King together with Peter Straub, to an unconscious Max.

The passage is not random. It concerns a moment in which one of the characters in the book opens their eyes. Perhaps a wink hinting at what will happen in the next season? It should not be forgotten that the creators, the Duffer brothers, are working on an adaptation of The Talisman for Netflix, which makes this an ideal easter egg to end this compilation.