tranger Things Season 4, Episode 7, “The Massacre at Hawkins Lab,” demonstrates the show’s careful layering of narrative and audio through its use of Philip Glass’s opera Akhnaten. The music accompanies Vecna’s recounting of his childhood, providing a minimalist, hypnotic backdrop that reflects the character’s trauma and obsessive patterns. Pieces like “Window of Appearances” and selections from Glass’s Koyaanisqatsi score create a soundscape that mirrors both Vecna’s and Eleven’s emotional journeys.
The repetitive structure of Glass’s compositions enhances tension, suggesting inevitability and entrapment similar to the Upside Down. Rather than using a conventional suspense score, the show leverages the abstract qualities of Glass’s music to immerse viewers in the characters’ psychological states. Eleven’s moments of quiet reflection and sudden intensity align with the opera’s cyclical motifs, reinforcing her inner struggles alongside the external threats she faces.
Incorporating Akhnaten also bridges high culture and popular media. The opera, which explores transformation and rebellion through the story of Pharaoh Akhenaten, parallels Hawkins’ narrative: young characters challenging forces larger than themselves, navigating morality, power, and identity. The music adds depth to the storytelling, highlighting thematic connections between character arcs and broader questions of control, isolation, and resistance.
This approach demonstrates how Stranger Things engages viewers on multiple levels. For those familiar with Glass, it rewards recognition of historical and musical references. For new audiences, it introduces avant-garde opera in a context that enhances narrative tension and emotional resonance. The score acts as both atmosphere and narrative device, guiding audience perception and amplifying stakes.
Glass’s compositions align with the series’ visual and thematic style. The hypnotic repetitions reflect the Upside Down’s distorted reality, while the sparse instrumentation emphasizes psychological tension. Vecna’s backstory and Eleven’s confrontation are heightened by the music, creating an almost operatic experience within a streaming series format.
Season 4’s integration of Akhnaten illustrates Stranger Things’ commitment to sophisticated storytelling. Music functions as a character in its own right, shaping mood, foreshadowing events, and providing thematic commentary. It also signals the series’ willingness to blend genres and artistic forms, setting a standard for the final season.
As Season 5 approaches, viewers can expect the show to continue using sound design and music not just for atmosphere, but as a narrative tool that complements the supernatural, emotional, and nostalgic elements central to Hawkins. The Season 4 use of Philip Glass demonstrates the series’ dedication to thoughtful, multi-layered storytelling that rewards close attention while elevating television beyond conventional expectations.
