Stephen King's Opinion: How Stranger Things Relates To IT

Viktoria Ivanova

5 min read

Post on May 09, 2025

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Shared Themes: Childhood Trauma and the Power of Friendship

Both Stranger Things and IT center on the experiences of children confronting unimaginable threats, highlighting the vulnerability of youth and the enduring power of friendship.

The Vulnerability of Children:

• IT: The Losers Club, a group of outcast children in Derry, Maine, faces the terrifying Pennywise, a shapeshifting entity that preys on their deepest fears. Their childhood innocence is shattered as they battle this ancient evil.
• Stranger Things: Eleven, a young girl with extraordinary psychic abilities, and her friends in Hawkins, Indiana, confront the horrors of the Upside Down, a terrifying alternate dimension teeming with monstrous creatures. They are forced to mature rapidly in the face of unimaginable danger.

The Importance of Friendship:

Overcoming such adversity requires more than just courage; it demands unwavering loyalty and the strength found in friendship.

• IT: The bond between the Losers Club is their lifeline. Their collective strength and unwavering friendship allow them to confront Pennywise and ultimately defeat him. This friendship transcends time and distance, proving its resilience in the face of unimaginable horror.
• Stranger Things: The close-knit group of friends in Stranger Things consistently support and protect each other. Their friendship is the core of their survival, offering comfort and strength in the face of the Upside Down's threats. Eleven, in particular, finds solace and strength in her connection with Mike and the rest of the group.

Small-Town Secrets and the Supernatural

The settings of both IT and Stranger Things play a crucial role in amplifying the sense of dread and mystery. Derry and Hawkins, seemingly ordinary small towns, harbor dark secrets and supernatural forces.

Derry and Hawkins: Echoes of Small-Town Mysteries:

Both Derry and Hawkins share a common thread: a seemingly idyllic small-town façade concealing a sinister underbelly. The quiet streets and friendly faces mask a deeper, more unsettling reality. The past haunts both towns, leaving a legacy of fear and unease.

The Supernatural Element:

The supernatural is a key element in both narratives, contributing to the overall atmosphere of suspense and terror.

• IT: Pennywise is not just a clown; he’s a manifestation of Derry’s collective fears and traumas, feeding on the town’s dark history.
• Stranger Things: The Upside Down is a chilling parallel universe, a place of pure evil and monstrous creatures that threaten to spill over into Hawkins, blurring the lines between reality and nightmare.

Monstrous Entities and Their Symbolic Meaning

The antagonists in both Stranger Things and IT represent more than just physical threats. They are powerful symbols of childhood trauma, fear, and the darker aspects of human nature.

Pennywise vs. The Demogorgon:

Pennywise, the dancing clown of IT, and the Demogorgon from Stranger Things, are both terrifying creatures, but their symbolic meanings differ slightly. Pennywise preys on the children's deepest fears, embodying the anxieties and insecurities of childhood. The Demogorgon, on the other hand, represents a more primal, unknowable evil, a force of nature that is both terrifying and mysterious.

The Nature of Evil:

Both narratives delve into the nature of evil, its persistence, and its ability to manipulate and prey on the vulnerable. They explore the question of whether evil is an external force or an intrinsic part of humanity itself. Both stories grapple with the complexities of confronting and overcoming such profound evil.

Stephen King's Potential Influence (Speculative Analysis):

While Stephen King hasn't directly commented on the similarities, the influence of his writing style and thematic concerns on Stranger Things is undeniable.

Stylistic Similarities:

Stranger Things shares certain stylistic similarities with Stephen King's works, particularly in its use of atmosphere, suspense, and relatable characters. The show's ability to blend nostalgic elements with genuine horror is reminiscent of King’s approach.

Themes Resonating with King's Work:

The themes explored in Stranger Things—childhood trauma, small-town secrets, the power of friendship against overwhelming odds—are prevalent throughout Stephen King's vast body of work. The show’s exploration of these themes suggests a clear debt to King's legacy.

Conclusion: Unmasking the Connections: Stephen King's Legacy in Stranger Things

The parallels between Stranger Things and IT are striking. Both narratives utilize similar themes—childhood trauma, the importance of friendship, and the lurking presence of small-town secrets and supernatural forces—to create compelling stories filled with suspense and terror. The monstrous entities in both stories serve as potent symbols, representing fear, evil, and the vulnerability of innocence. While speculative, the stylistic and thematic echoes strongly suggest Stephen King's influence on the creators of Stranger Things. Explore the chilling parallels between these two masterpieces and discover more about Stephen King's enduring legacy on popular culture. Discuss your thoughts on the connection between Stranger Things and IT in the comments below!