Stephen King's Thoughts On Stranger Things And IT: A Comparison

Axel S�rensen

5 min read

Post on May 10, 2025

4.2

Share

Thematic Resonance: Childhood Trauma and the Power of Friendship

Both Stranger Things and IT delve deep into the chilling realities of childhood trauma and the enduring power of friendship. Loss of innocence is a central theme in both narratives, showcasing the vulnerability of children facing overwhelming evil. Stephen King frequently explores these themes in his works, setting his stories in small towns where the idyllic facade masks underlying darkness and the inherent vulnerability of children is starkly exposed.

• Examples of childhood trauma: In IT, the Losers Club confronts their deepest fears and traumatic experiences, including bullying, abuse, and the horrifying presence of Pennywise. Similarly, Stranger Things features traumatic experiences such as the disappearance of Will Byers and the unsettling experiments conducted at Hawkins National Laboratory.
• Friendship as a crucial element: In both narratives, the power of friendship proves pivotal in overcoming adversity. The Losers Club's bond sustains them through their terrifying encounters with Pennywise, mirroring how the Hawkins crew supports each other in their battle against the Demogorgon and other interdimensional threats.
• King's recurring themes: King frequently utilizes small-town settings to heighten the sense of isolation and vulnerability, mirroring the claustrophobic atmosphere of Hawkins in Stranger Things. The vulnerability of children, a recurring motif in King’s work, is central to both narratives, creating a sense of unease and amplifying the stakes.
• Echoes in Stranger Things: Stranger Things cleverly echoes these themes from IT, drawing upon the archetype of the outcast group of friends uniting against a seemingly insurmountable evil, highlighting the importance of loyalty and camaraderie in the face of terror.

Character Archetypes: The Loser Club vs. the Hawkins Crew

A key similarity lies in the portrayal of the main character groups. Both the Losers Club from IT and the core group of friends in Stranger Things are essentially outcasts, united by their shared experiences and a strong bond of friendship.

• Outcast nature: Both groups consist of children who are often marginalized or misunderstood by their peers, making their bond even more significant. This shared experience fuels their strength and resilience.
• Similarities and differences: While both groups display individual strengths and weaknesses, reflecting King’s common practice of creating relatable, flawed characters, the specific dynamics differ. The Losers Club in IT navigates complex individual traumas, while the Hawkins crew faces a more immediate external threat.
• Leadership roles: Both groups possess implicit or explicit leadership roles, with characters emerging as central figures to guide their respective teams. These leadership styles, while differing in approach, demonstrate King's typical exploration of character development under pressure.
• King's character patterns: These archetypes—the outcast group banding together against evil—perfectly reflect King's common character patterns, emphasizing the importance of community and resilience in the face of horror.

Supernatural Elements: Demogorgons, Pennywise, and the Horror Landscape

The supernatural elements in Stranger Things and IT, while distinct, share a striking similarity in their capacity to embody childhood fears.

• Embodiments of fear: Pennywise, the shape-shifting clown from IT, preys on the children's deepest anxieties, while the Demogorgon in Stranger Things represents a more physical, yet equally terrifying, threat from another dimension. Both creatures are embodiments of primal fear.
• Unsettling atmosphere: Both works masterfully create an unsettling atmosphere, using suspense and jump scares strategically to heighten the sense of dread. This mirrors King’s skill in building suspense and creating palpable fear.
• Childhood fear and the fight against evil: The supernatural elements serve the overarching themes of childhood fear and the struggle against overwhelming evil, reflecting King’s consistent focus on the vulnerability of children and their resilience in the face of terror.
• Unique creature designs: King might appreciate the unique creature designs, both reflecting a blend of classic monster archetypes and novel, disturbing imagery, fitting into his broad range of monstrous creations.

Tone and Style: A Comparative Look at King's Influence

Stranger Things captures the essence of King's style, blending horror, drama, and coming-of-age elements seamlessly.

• Horror, drama, and coming-of-age: Both Stranger Things and IT seamlessly weave together horror, coming-of-age stories, and intense emotional drama. This blend is a hallmark of many King novels.
• Pacing and narrative structure: Both productions employ a deliberate pacing, building suspense gradually before unleashing moments of intense terror. The narrative structures, while different, both effectively maintain the audience’s engagement.
• Symbolism and imagery: Stranger Things masterfully utilizes symbolism and imagery to deepen its themes, mirroring King’s frequent use of symbolic elements to enhance the narrative.
• King’s perspective: King likely appreciates the adaptation and interpretation of his established style, perhaps noting the clever nods to his works while simultaneously celebrating the originality of Stranger Things as its own entity.

Conclusion: Stephen King's Legacy and the Enduring Power of Horror

Stranger Things and IT, while distinct in their specific narratives, share profound thematic resonances, character archetypes, and a similar stylistic approach, all clearly influenced by Stephen King's prolific and enduring legacy. King would likely appreciate the homage paid to his recurring themes of childhood trauma, the strength of friendship, and the battle against overwhelming evil. He might even find the unique interpretations of classic horror tropes and creature designs both innovative and true to the spirit of his work.

Do you think Stephen King would agree with this comparison? Share your thoughts in the comments below!