Stranger Things is a Ripoff, and That's What Makes it so Good

The consistent use of intertextuality that we see in Stranger Things proves that this show is a complete ripoff. However, a ripoff is better than a remake. Intertextuality is used in Stranger Things to create the setting of a typical 80s suburban town with angsty teenagers, dorky kids and a sci-fi storyline to match. It makes the show technically a ripoff, but a good ripoff that has its own originality throughout its story. The show alludes to many popular movies of the 80s, so much so that sometimes it’s shoved right in your face. A very obvious use of intertextuality was with the character Joyce, played by Winona Ryder. Joyce bears a striking resemblance to Diane from The Poltergeist. They both lose a child, and they both can connect with them through the use of technology. However, some say Joyce lacks the depth that Diane had.

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Stranger Things is “full of nostalgic nods to the decade and its pop-cultural products, but it’s also uncommonly rigorous about getting the details just right” (Rolling Stone).  Details like song choice (The Clash “Should I Stay or Should I Go”), band/movie posters, clothing and hairstyles, and the game “Dungeons and Dragons” that the boys love to play really give the show that 80s feel. Even the font of the title sequence reminds me of Stephen King novels.

It is said that it is better to rip off than to remake, which is absolutely true. I hate remakes because 9 times out of 10 they’re horrible and nothing can follow it. Nothing followed the Footloose remake or the Dirty Dancing remake (which I refuse to see because I know it cannot live up to Patrick Swayze’s legendary performance). Stranger Things as a ripoff can move forward. Even with all the allusions, “Stranger Things is still an original work of art that is inspiring the kind of fandom and water cooler conversation that was once reserved for the biggest of big movies” (Forbes). You don’t have to know all the 80s movies Stranger Things is based on to enjoy it. Because “it wasn’t a straight-up remake or reboot… its characters (Finn, Eleven, Nancy, Dr. Brenner, etc.) and its story will inspire 'original' fandom" (Forbes).

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The Duffer Brothers

I loved how they used lighting to add a sense of horror and eeriness to the scenes, like the flashback of Eleven being dragged down the hallway as she screams for her Papa. In an interview, The Duffer Brothers, the directors of Stranger Things, talked about how they put a lot of thought into lighting certain scenes a specific way. The cave scene required a lot of thought as to how to light it, but in the end, the backlight and flashlights worked perfectly. Manipulating audio was also a technique employed by The Duffer Brothers to add emphasis and terror to big moments. For example, when Eleven places the pawns on the game board symbolizing Will hiding from the Demogorgon, each placement sounded like a loud gunshot.

While this show is considered a ripoff, it also has many elements that are unique to itself and make the show the huge hit that it is. If you haven't seen it, I suggest binging it right now.