Stephen King Weighs In: Comparing Stranger Things To IT

Axel S�rensen

5 min read

Post on May 09, 2025

4.3

Share

Shared Thematic Elements: Exploring the Horror of Childhood

Both Stranger Things and IT masterfully tap into the primal fears and anxieties of childhood, creating a potent blend of nostalgia and terror. This is a hallmark of Stephen King's work, who often explores the lasting impact of childhood trauma.

Nostalgia and the Loss of Innocence

• Stranger Things: The 1980s setting evokes a sense of comforting nostalgia, immediately establishing a stark contrast with the lurking darkness of the Upside Down. The simpler times of childhood are juxtaposed with the terrifying realities faced by the young protagonists.
• IT: Derry, Maine, presents a seemingly idyllic small-town facade, masking the sinister secrets and horrors that lie beneath. This deceptive tranquility amplifies the impact of Pennywise's terror on the children of the Losers Club.

King frequently uses childhood as a setting to highlight the vulnerability of innocence in the face of overwhelming evil. The innocence lost forever is a key element woven throughout both narratives.

The Power of Friendship and Facing Fears

Overcoming evil is rarely a solo mission, and both shows highlight the power of friendship and camaraderie.

• Stranger Things: The core group of friends – Eleven, Mike, Dustin, Lucas, and Will – rely on each other for strength, support, and survival. Their shared experiences and unwavering bonds allow them to confront the Upside Down's horrors.
• IT: The Losers Club, bound by their shared trauma and the terrifying presence of Pennywise, find courage and resilience in their friendship. Facing their deepest fears together becomes crucial to defeating the malevolent entity.

This theme of collective strength against overwhelming odds is a recurring motif in King's extensive body of work, showcasing his understanding of human resilience and the power of connection.

Different Approaches to Horror: Supernatural vs. Cosmic Horror

While both shows explore the terrifying unknown, their approaches to horror differ significantly. Stranger Things leans into sci-fi infused supernatural horror, while IT embodies more traditional, psychological horror with a cosmic horror twist.

The Upside Down vs. Pennywise

• The Upside Down: This alternate dimension in Stranger Things presents a physical, tangible threat, a monstrous realm invading the human world. Its horrors are often visual and visceral, employing creatures born of the twisted reality.
• Pennywise: This shape-shifting entity in IT is a more psychologically manipulative force, exploiting the children's deepest fears and insecurities. Pennywise’s power lies in its ability to warp reality within the minds of its victims, using cosmic horror to amplify terror.

The difference in antagonists reflects the differing types of horror each show emphasizes.

Tone and Atmosphere

• Stranger Things: The show balances suspense and horror with moments of lightheartedness, creating a blend of 80s nostalgia and supernatural dread. The pacing is often deliberate, building tension slowly before unleashing bursts of intense action.
• IT: The atmosphere is consistently grim and oppressive, emphasizing the psychological impact of Pennywise's terror. The visual style is darker, more realistic, and relies heavily on suspense and unsettling imagery to create a constant sense of dread.

Stephen King's Direct Influence on Stranger Things

The influence of Stephen King on Stranger Things is undeniable, extending beyond shared thematic elements to the very structure of the narrative and character archetypes.

Narrative Structure and Character Archetypes

• Similar Archetypes: Both shows feature familiar Kingian characters: the outcast (Eleven/Beverly Marsh), the brave leader (Mike/Bill Denbrough), the loyal friend (Dustin/Richie Tozier), and the vulnerable victim (Will/Ben Hanscom).
• Plot Structures: Stranger Things utilizes a multi-layered plot structure reminiscent of King's novels, with multiple storylines intertwining and building towards a climactic confrontation.

These structural parallels demonstrate a conscious effort to evoke the spirit and style of King’s storytelling.

The Town as a Character

Both Stranger Things and IT utilize their settings as integral characters.

• Hawkins: Hawkins, Indiana, with its seemingly ordinary facade, hides a dark secret, mirroring Derry’s deceptive nature. The town's history and hidden aspects influence the characters’ experiences and the unfolding of events.
• Derry: Derry, Maine, is a character in itself, a place steeped in history and burdened by a malevolent presence. The town's atmosphere and hidden history are integral to the story's horror.

This use of setting as a character is a signature technique of Stephen King's writing, contributing significantly to the overall atmosphere and storytelling of both productions.

Conclusion: A Final Verdict on Stranger Things and IT

While Stranger Things and IT employ different approaches to horror, both share a common thread rooted in Stephen King's masterful storytelling. They both explore the terrors of childhood, the power of friendship, and the unsettling nature of hidden evil. Stranger Things arguably serves as a modern interpretation and homage to King's work, adapting his themes and storytelling techniques for a new generation.

The key takeaway is the enduring power of King's thematic concerns and narrative styles. Both narratives prove that skillfully crafted horror is as much about the emotional impact on the characters as it is the external events.

What are your thoughts on the similarities and differences between these two chilling narratives? Share your opinions on Stephen King's influence in the comments below! For further exploration of Stephen King's influence on horror, check out our other articles on [link to related article].