Although the Series is fictional, it does draw inspiration from some real-life events and theories.
“Stranger Things”, the gripping Netflix series that has captivated audiences worldwide with its blend of 1980s nostalgia, thrilling plot, and lovable characters, often leaves viewers asking one question: “Is Stranger Things based on a true story?” This question arises due to the show’s tangible setting and the realistic relationships between the characters.
Related: Which Stranger Things Character Are You?
Inspired by Real Government Projects
Project MKUltra, a contentious mind-control program performed by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) from the 1950s to the 1970s, is the real-world connection to “Stranger Things” that is the most obvious. The goal of this research was to investigate various ways to manipulate the human mind utilizing hypnosis, drugs like LSD, and other psychological techniques.
Eleven’s skills and affiliation with the Hawkins National Laboratory in “Stranger Things” are eerily similar to the MKUltra experiments. Not that MKUltra had anything to do with Demogorgons or parallel universes, but the government’s actual research into the untapped capacity of the human mind served as a fascinating basis for the series’ fictional premise.
Related: Can A 9 Year Old Watch Stranger Things?
Connections to Theoretical Concepts and Local Folklore
Although themes of paranormal activity and other realms are important in the series, these concepts are largely based on fiction. However, they draw inspiration from both popular culture and established scientific beliefs. For instance, the idea of the “Upside Down” is similar to theorized ideas in quantum physics about the existence of parallel universes.
Additionally, “Stranger Things” draws inspiration from legends and local lore related to Camp Hero State Park in Montauk, New York. The Montauk Project, as it is commonly known, is a purported series of top-secret American government initiatives carried out at Camp Hero with the goal of creating psychological warfare strategies and cutting-edge science, such as time travel.
Influences from Popular Culture
Aside from these real-life references, “Stranger Things” also draws significantly from 1980s pop culture. The series is rife with allusions to the era’s films, music, and overall cultural landscape. The Duffer Brothers, who created “Star Wars,” “Stephen King,” “The Goonies,” and “Ghostbusters,” are unmistakably paying respect to the cultural influences that formed their own childhoods.
Conclusion
Although “Stranger Things” isn’t based on a true tale, its writers drew their ideas for the show’s compelling plot from a variety of real-life government initiatives, scientific hypotheses, folklore, and cultural references. The brilliance of the series resides in its ability to integrate these components, producing a universe that is at once completely fanciful and eerily familiar. Even though the show explores the unusual, it stays anchored in a relatable world. What makes “Stranger Things” such a distinctive and captivating television show is the blending of the real and the fantastical.
The post Is Stranger Things Based On A True Story? appeared first on Scuffed Entertainment.
