When Stranger Things premiered in 2016, it immediately captivated audiences with its mix of 1980s nostalgia, supernatural suspense, and heartfelt character arcs. Almost overnight, it became a cultural touchstone, and as often happens with highly visible works, fans and critics began dissecting its visual and thematic DNA. Among the many comparisons, one particularly niche reference caught attention: Beyond the Black Rainbow, a Canadian psychedelic sci-fi horror film renowned for its striking visuals and surreal tone.
Fans were quick to draw parallels between the eerie, neon-lit corridors of Hawkins Laboratory and the hypnotic, unsettling atmosphere of the cult film. It made sense on the surface. Both feature shadowy, clinical environments, oppressive atmospheres, and an undercurrent of existential dread. Yet when asked, the Duffer Brothers expressed genuine surprise at this association.
In a revealing interview with The Hollywood Reporter in 2016, Matt Duffer confessed, “I’ve never even seen Beyond the Black Rainbow before,” while Ross Duffer admitted to watching “a little” of it. Their candid reactions highlight a fascinating tension in fan culture: the urge to map direct influences versus the reality of subconscious creativity. The brothers acknowledged that while the series had been shaped by a vast array of inspirations, they weren’t necessarily paying homage to specific films like the 2010 cult classic. Instead, Stranger Things emerged from an amalgamation of instinct, nostalgia, and storytelling priorities, creating something that fans could instantly feel was familiar yet wholly original.
Matt elaborated on this idea, noting the role of subconscious influence: “It wasn’t a checklist of films. We were writing what felt right for the story and the characters.” Ross echoed the sentiment, emphasising that the creative process prioritised character motivation over cinematic references. This approach allowed the series to breathe naturally, letting fans make connections and discover echoes of familiar works while the narrative retained its own identity.
While horror cinema often dominates conversations about the show’s influences, the Duffer Brothers revealed lesser-known creative wells that fed into Stranger Things’ visual and narrative language: anime and video games. Matt Duffer pointed to Elfen Lied, an obscure and intense anime that made an unexpected appearance in fan commentary around the first trailer. He reflected, “I was like, ‘Wow, I didn’t realise anyone had even seen that anime.’”
This revelation speaks volumes about the show’s layered construction. Elfen Lied is known for its unsettling juxtaposition of innocence and brutality, an aesthetic not unlike Stranger Things’ mix of suburban childhood and cosmic horror. While the series doesn’t directly mirror the anime, the tonal parallels highlight how obscure and unconventional sources can feed into a creative subconscious, shaping tension, pacing, and character reactions.
Video games also play a surprisingly crucial role in shaping the narrative. Ross Duffer cited games such as Silent Hill and The Last of Us, emphasising how interactive media influenced the series’ atmosphere and suspense. Both titles are masters of world-building, slowly revealing mysteries while immersing players in psychologically complex environments. Stranger Things captures this same feeling: viewers navigate Hawkins alongside the kids, uncovering horrors layer by layer, with stakes that feel immediate and emotionally potent.
By incorporating these influences, the Duffer Brothers crafted a show that transcends the traditional nostalgia-driven homage. It’s not merely a collection of references to 1980s pop culture; it’s an intricate fusion of horror, adventure, and emotion, drawn from both expected and unexpected sources. Anime and video games contribute to the show’s pacing, character design, and sense of escalating dread, blending seamlessly with the more obvious cinematic nods that audiences often cite.
A recurring theme in fan analysis of Stranger Things is the endless game of “spot the reference.” Viewers delight in identifying Easter eggs, cinematic homages, and tonal echoes of classic films. However, the Duffer Brothers encourage a more nuanced perspective. Much of the series’ resonance stems from instinctual storytelling rather than deliberate cinematic mimicry.
By prioritising character motivation over reference-laden writing, the brothers created a world that feels lived-in and emotionally authentic. Each decision—whether a character’s moral choice, a plot twist, or a stylistic flourish—is grounded in the story’s internal logic rather than adherence to external templates. This approach produces a unique brand of nostalgia that connects with viewers’ memories and emotions without feeling forced.
Matt explained, “We wanted the story to feel real, not like we were checking off boxes of films or influences.” Ross added that while they are cinephiles who absorb a wide variety of media, their goal was always to ensure that references served the narrative, not overshadow it. The subtle echoes of Beyond the Black Rainbow, Elfen Lied, or Silent Hill exist because the DNA of these works has permeated the creators’ subconscious over time, not because they were actively trying to pay homage.
This distinction matters. It frames Stranger Things as a deeply personal creation rather than a curated museum of 1980s references. Fans may recognise familiar tones or visuals, but the series’ emotional core—friendship, bravery, and the struggle against incomprehensible evil—remains the driving force. The Duffer Brothers’ emphasis on character-first storytelling ensures that the series retains its heart even as it nods to horror, sci-fi, and nostalgia.
Nostalgia, Horror, and Creative Synthesis
The unexpected comparisons to Beyond the Black Rainbow illuminate a broader truth about Stranger Things: its success arises from a creative synthesis of seen and unseen influences. The series thrives at the intersection of memory, horror, and modern storytelling sensibilities. By drawing on a subconscious reservoir of media—from psychedelic sci-fi to anime to video games—the Duffer Brothers produced a show that feels simultaneously familiar and fresh.
The appeal of these layered influences is particularly evident in how the series builds suspense. Hawkins feels both recognisable and uncanny. Ordinary suburban streets host extraordinary events, and the familiar trappings of childhood hide otherworldly dangers. This tension—rooted in the collision of nostalgia with horror—reflects the Duffer Brothers’ ability to integrate disparate inspirations without diluting the narrative.
Fans eagerly await Stranger Things 5, and with every new season, speculation about influences intensifies. Yet, as the Duffer Brothers have consistently demonstrated, the magic of the series lies less in deliberate homage than in their instinctive approach to storytelling. Each reference, intentional or subconscious, enriches the world while leaving space for interpretation and fan engagement.
The series invites viewers to participate in a dialogue about creativity itself. Every scene, design choice, and plot twist becomes fodder for discussion about narrative inspiration, subconscious influence, and the ways media informs our collective imagination. Stranger Things’ capacity to merge homage, subconscious inspiration, and authentic character storytelling explains why it continues to captivate both casual audiences and die-hard cinephiles.
At its core, Stranger Things exemplifies the Duffer Brothers’ philosophy: stories should be grounded in character, and inspiration should serve the narrative. While comparisons to films like Beyond the Black Rainbow or the influences of anime and gaming enrich fan discussions, they are secondary to the series’ emotional and narrative integrity.
Matt Duffer summed it up perfectly: “We weren’t trying to make a list of influences. We were just trying to tell a story about kids in a small town facing extraordinary circumstances.” This simplicity underpins the show’s universal appeal. Despite its elaborate suspense, supernatural horrors, and layered nods to pop culture, Stranger Things remains a tale about human connection, courage, and curiosity.
The series’ blend of nostalgia, horror, and emotional resonance sets a high bar for modern television. It illustrates how creators can draw inspiration from myriad sources without becoming beholden to any single influence. In doing so, the Duffer Brothers ensure that the story feels authentic, immersive, and endlessly rewatchable. Every season reveals new layers, encourages debate, and offers fans a sense of discovery, whether they are spotting subtle homages or enjoying the thrill of the narrative itself.
As Stranger Things 5 approaches this November, the conversation around influences—from the unexpected Beyond the Black Rainbow comparisons to the impact of anime and video games—reminds us of the series’ depth and the instinctive brilliance of its creators. The Duffer Brothers have crafted a narrative universe where each detail invites engagement, curiosity, and imagination. They’ve proven that inspiration can be found everywhere, yet storytelling succeeds when it remains authentic to the characters and the world they inhabit.
Fans can anticipate more layers of suspense, emotion, and interdimensional intrigue, confident that the series continues to evolve without losing the heart that made Hawkins, Indiana, an unforgettable setting for supernatural adventure. Stranger Things proves that creativity thrives at the intersection of the conscious and subconscious, homage and originality, nostalgia and innovation—a lesson for storytellers and viewers alike.
