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Intertextuality in Stranger Things


Stranger Things is heavily influenced by many popular 80s media products. Films such as Alien, ET, The Goonies and Nightmare on Elm Street are constantly referenced throughout the entirety of Stranger Things. This is so that fans of 80s products like these will be pleased and gain satisfaction when there are extremely visible recreations. 

Stranger Things pays homage to many extremely popular 80s media products through its extremely heavy use of intertextuality. The scene where Mike, Dustin, Lucas and Eleven are walking along the train tracks is a direct reference to Stand By Me. Eleven's blonde wig and outfit is extremely similar to the disguise that ET uses in the Spielberg classic - as well as when the three boys find Eleven it appears to replicate the scene in ET where Elliot finds ET. The prevalent 'coming of age theme' and the building of relationships is extremely similar to The Goonies. When one of the monsters from the Upside Down is pushing through the wall of the Buyers' house it is the same as in Nightmare on Elm Street.

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