Stephen King On Stranger Things And IT: Similarities And Differences

Rajiv Sharma

6 min read

Post on May 09, 2025

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Shared Thematic Elements: The Power of Childhood Fear

Both Stranger Things and IT masterfully tap into the potent anxieties of childhood, using nostalgic settings to amplify the horror. They both understand the power of memory, and the way childhood innocence can be violently shattered by terrifying encounters.

Nostalgia and the Power of Memory

• Stranger Things: The evocative 1980s setting, complete with its iconic synthwave soundtrack, arcade games, and classic bicycles, instantly transports the audience back to a simpler time. This nostalgia underscores the jarring contrast between the idyllic surface and the lurking supernatural horrors.
• IT: Similarly, IT's 1980s Derry, Maine, is a visually rich tapestry of childhood memories—a seemingly safe haven that hides a terrifying secret beneath its surface. The familiar sights and sounds create a sense of unease, making the horror even more impactful.
  • The impact of the settings is crucial. The familiar landscape increases the feeling of violation when the supernatural intrudes. The sense of safety is subverted.
  • This nostalgia acts as a powerful amplifier, making the horror feel more personal and relatable. The audience is invited to relive their own childhood fears through the lens of the narrative.

Exploring the Fears of Childhood

Both narratives effectively tap into universal childhood fears, creating relatable characters and compelling narratives.

• Stranger Things: Explores fears of abandonment (Will's disappearance), the unknown (the Demogorgon), and the powerlessness of children facing adult threats. Bullies also feature heavily, embodying the physical and emotional threats children face.
• IT: Delves into deeper psychological fears: the fear of the dark, clowns as a potent symbol of childhood dread, and the overwhelming power of adult neglect and trauma. The inherent vulnerability of childhood is central to the story.
  • The monsters themselves are manifestations of these fears, personalized for each character, making the horror deeply personal and terrifying.
  • The psychological impact of these fears is long-lasting and shapes the adults the children become.

The Importance of Friendship and Loyalty

The power of friendship is a central theme in both narratives. The bonds between the characters provide strength, courage, and ultimately, survival.

• Stranger Things: The core group of friends—Mike, Eleven, Dustin, Lucas, and Will—rely on each other for emotional support and physical protection. Their loyalty and bravery are essential to overcoming the challenges they face.
• IT: The "Losers Club" similarly finds strength in their bonds. Their collective courage allows them to confront Pennywise and the trauma of their past.
  • These friendships are more than just plot devices; they are integral to character development and the story's emotional core. They highlight themes of loyalty and bravery against overwhelming odds.
  • The theme of overcoming fear together emphasizes the importance of support and resilience in the face of adversity.

Narrative Structure and Storytelling Techniques

While both Stranger Things and IT share thematic similarities, their narrative structures and storytelling techniques differ significantly.

Supernatural Elements and the "Monster" Narrative

The nature of the supernatural threat shapes the tone and style of each work.

• Stranger Things: The Demogorgon, while terrifying, is a more tangible, science-fiction-infused monster. Its presence is felt in a more physical and less psychological way.
• IT: Pennywise, on the other hand, is a far more insidious entity. He embodies cosmic horror, manipulating fears and exploiting vulnerabilities, making his threat far more deeply psychological and disturbing.
  • The symbolism of each monster differs. The Demogorgon represents the unknown and the invasion of another dimension, while Pennywise represents the darker aspects of childhood trauma and the horrors of the subconscious.
  • The monsters' powers and weaknesses also vary. The Demogorgon is a physical threat, while Pennywise’s power lies in manipulating its victims' emotions.

Suspense and Horror Techniques

Both leverage classic horror techniques, though with different styles and emphasis.

• Stranger Things: Employs a blend of suspense and jump scares, creating a sense of impending doom punctuated by moments of intense fear.
• IT: Focuses more on psychological horror and dread, building suspense slowly and exploiting the characters' vulnerabilities.
  • The pacing of each series differs. Stranger Things offers a faster-paced narrative with more action, while IT uses a slower burn, building tension gradually.
  • The different horror styles employed—Stranger Things leaning towards science fiction horror, IT towards cosmic and psychological horror—significantly impacts the viewer/reader's experience.

Coming-of-Age Narrative

Both narratives also function as powerful coming-of-age stories.

• Stranger Things: The children confront their fears and grow in strength and maturity through their experiences with the supernatural. Loss is a key element in driving the personal growth of the characters.
• IT: The Losers Club's journey is a testament to resilience, showing how facing past traumas and overcoming fear can lead to personal growth and strength.
  • Character development is crucial. The protagonists in both stories are not static; their experiences shape their understanding of themselves and the world around them.
  • The theme of facing one's fears and becoming stronger as a result is a defining feature of both narratives.

Key Differences: Tone and Style

Despite sharing thematic similarities, Stranger Things and IT differ significantly in tone and style.

Overall Tone

• Stranger Things: Maintains a more adventurous, science-fiction-infused tone, balancing horror with elements of mystery and adventure.
• IT: Is darker and more intensely focused on psychological horror, exploring the depths of human fear and the enduring impact of trauma.
  • The overall tone creates fundamentally different viewing experiences. Stranger Things is more accessible, while IT is intensely unsettling.
  • Specific scenes effectively highlight these differences. The lighter, more playful moments in Stranger Things contrast sharply with the bleak and unsettling atmosphere of IT.

Character Development

While both works feature compelling characters, their development differs.

• Stranger Things: Features a larger ensemble cast with a wider range of character arcs, exploring different facets of childhood and adolescence.
• IT: Focuses more intensely on the core group of friends, exploring the complexities of their individual traumas and their collective journey.
  • The depth of character development is a key difference. While Stranger Things offers a broader exploration of many characters, IT delves more deeply into the emotional lives of its central protagonists.
  • The roles of supporting characters also vary. In Stranger Things, supporting characters play significant roles, while IT prioritizes the development of the core group.

Conclusion

In conclusion, both Stranger Things and IT demonstrate the lasting impact of Stephen King's influence, sharing thematic elements centered on childhood fear, the power of friendship, and the evocative use of nostalgia. However, they differ significantly in their overall tone, narrative structure, and approach to horror. Stranger Things offers a more adventurous, science-fiction-infused take on the genre, while IT delves deeper into the psychological aspects of fear, offering a more intensely disturbing and unforgettable experience. Both, however, serve as powerful examples of storytelling that resonate with audiences on a profound level.

What are your thoughts on the influence of Stephen King on Stranger Things and IT? Discuss the similarities and differences between Stephen King's IT and Stranger Things in the comments below!