Stephen King Weighs In: Similarities Between Stranger Things And IT

Mei Lin

5 min read

Post on May 09, 2025

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The Power of Childhood Trauma and Nostalgia

Both Stranger Things and IT masterfully leverage the power of childhood nostalgia to enhance the horror. The seemingly innocent settings and playful childhood games create a stark contrast with the lurking darkness, amplifying the fear and unease. Stephen King, a master of psychological horror, understands this dynamic perfectly, utilizing it to create truly unsettling narratives. Childhood trauma plays a pivotal role in shaping the characters and their responses to the supernatural threats they face. This shared element establishes a powerful emotional connection with the audience, making the horror even more impactful.

• Stranger Things: Will Byers' disappearance and the subsequent trauma deeply affect not only him but also his friends, Mike, Dustin, and Lucas. Their shared experience forging a powerful bond, while also fueling their determination to confront the unknown horrors of the Upside Down. This shared trauma becomes a cornerstone of their strength.

• IT: Pennywise's terror targets the most vulnerable—children—leaving deep-seated psychological scars on the members of the Loser's Club. Their individual traumas, stemming from Pennywise's manipulation and the general horrors of Derry, are central to their collective fight against the evil entity. This psychological horror is deeply rooted in King's works.

The use of childhood trauma and nostalgia elevates both narratives beyond simple monster stories; they become explorations of the lasting impact of fear and the enduring power of friendship in the face of overwhelming adversity—hallmarks of Stephen King's best work.

Small-Town Settings and Hidden Darkness

The seemingly idyllic small-town settings of both Stranger Things and IT are crucial to their overall effect. These towns, ostensibly peaceful and familiar, conceal terrifying secrets beneath their charming facades. This trope is a staple of Stephen King's horror writing, where the ordinary becomes extraordinary, and the familiar becomes frightening.

• Stranger Things: Hawkins, Indiana, with its seemingly normal suburban life, hides the terrifying gateway to the Upside Down, a parallel dimension teeming with monstrous creatures. The mundane becomes the menacing, mirroring King’s approach to small-town horror.

• IT: Derry, Maine, is steeped in a long, dark history, its sinister secrets intricately woven into the fabric of the town itself. The town's unsettling atmosphere and hidden history serve as the perfect breeding ground for Pennywise's evil. The gothic horror elements, reminiscent of King's style, are palpable.

The contrast between the idyllic surface and the hidden darkness creates an unsettling atmosphere that keeps audiences on the edge of their seats, successfully blending elements of small-town horror and supernatural suspense. This skillful use of setting is a hallmark of both Stephen King's novels and the Stranger Things series.

The Nature of Evil and Monstrous Entities

The antagonists in both Stranger Things and IT share intriguing similarities. Both represent powerful forces of evil, but manifest in different, yet equally terrifying, ways. The exploration of the nature of evil, a common theme in King's work, is central to both narratives.

• Stranger Things: The Mind Flayer, a parasitic entity from the Upside Down, seeks to consume and control, demonstrating a type of cosmic horror. Its insidious influence spreads like a contagion, twisting and manipulating everything in its path.

• IT: Pennywise the Dancing Clown, a shape-shifting entity that feeds on fear, preys on children's vulnerabilities, exploiting their deepest insecurities. This supernatural horror relies on psychological manipulation and exploitation.

Both antagonists embody different facets of evil, reflecting King's penchant for exploring the various forms and manifestations of terror. The comparison underscores the enduring power of King's influence on modern horror narratives.

The Power of Friendship and Facing Fears

Central to both narratives is the power of friendship and the importance of facing fears, both individually and collectively. This enduring theme of friendship, courage, and overcoming fear echoes throughout Stephen King’s oeuvre.

• Stranger Things: The unwavering bond between Eleven, Mike, Dustin, Lucas, and Will provides them with the strength and courage to face the terrifying threats from the Upside Down. Their friendship provides emotional support and empowers them to overcome their fears. This theme of the power of friendship is prominent.

• IT: The Loser's Club, bound together by their shared childhood traumas and their collective fight against Pennywise, demonstrates the resilience and strength that comes from enduring friendship. Their individual confrontations with their fears and their collective fight against evil highlight the power of unity in overcoming seemingly insurmountable odds. The enduring strength of their friendship underscores the novel's powerful themes.

The emphasis on the power of friendship and the courage to confront fear is a significant element that unites these seemingly disparate narratives, revealing a shared thematic DNA influenced heavily by King's work.

Conclusion: The Enduring Legacy of King: Stranger Things and IT's Shared DNA

The similarities between Stranger Things and IT are striking, pointing towards a clear influence of Stephen King’s style and thematic concerns. From the power of childhood trauma and nostalgia to the importance of small-town settings, the nature of evil embodied in the antagonists, and the ultimate triumph of friendship, both narratives draw inspiration from the enduring legacy of King's work. Explore the Kingly connections between Stranger Things and IT further and discover more about the shared horror DNA between these two captivating narratives. Delve deeper into the works of Stephen King to fully appreciate the depth and complexity of these shared thematic elements.