The third season of Stranger Things has already been watched in its entirety by at least 18 million Netflix subscribers, according to the streaming platform themselves. I make up one of those numbers, finishing the stellar batch of eight episodes just last night (July 9, 2019) and looking ahead to the series' future. Whilst I pine for more, it was fun to look back and think about all of the influences that inspired specific scenes and moments in Season 3, from 80s and 90s classic pop culture moments.
Here are seven of the best; let us know about the others you picked up on!
Note: There will be spoilers for all of Stranger Things Season 3 included in this article, so don't read on if you haven't watched yet!
7. Terminator
I'm not sure the 'big Russian guy' in the third season is ever given a proper name. Despite that, he certainly makes his presence felt throughout the entire span of eight episodes, chasing down Hopper and Joyce in a bid to stop them from shutting down the Russian's underground operations. Funnily enough, a Ukranian was hired to pick up the role - Andrey Ivchenko.
His character is one who hunts without emotion, refusing to show a lick of compassion as he fires bullets into his enemies - as well as the car of Hopper and Joyce when they make their initial escape with a Russian scientist. The inspiration from The Terminator is clear, and one of the most apparent in the show this time round.
6. Jurassic Park
When the Mindflayer's huge fleshy spider finally makes its way into Hawkins, Indiana, it's clearly the strongest, most powerful monster that the kids have ever had to face. At the start of one of the episodes, we see trees being destroyed as the creature smashes its way through miles of forestry, making its way to Eleven and the rest of the gang.
This hails back to Jurassic Park, which was actually a novel adapted by filmmakers in the 90s! This is, as far as I know, the first time The Duffer Brothers have pulled inspiration from material which was chronologically put out to the public in the years following the events of the fictional series. Still, as we're approaching 2020 and beyond in the real world, why shouldn't they pay homage to some of the best pop culture moments and movements of the 90s?
5. Alien
The Flayed are a dangerous bunch, in Stranger Things' third season. The way in which they're turned into soldiers for the Mindflayer is very much reminiscent of the Face Hugger in Ridley Scott's Alien, with a huge tongue-like tentacle emerging from the flaying beast to turn foe into friend. It's one of the most truly haunting moments in the show.
Alien is also drawn from in one of the season's final episodes, when the flaying creature crawls over Nancy, who has been thrown to the ground. Screaming in her face, it looks like her time is up - remind you of a certain Alien Queen?
4. Mortal Kombat
One brilliant Twitter user mocked up the image above when we got a landscape shot of Hopper and Russian Terminator squaring up in front of the Russian's scary, gate-opening laser. The original Mortal Kombat game was released in 1992, and as you and your friend, or computer foe were getting ready to go to battle, their fighting stance would be shown in a very similar style to this Stranger Things scene!
3. The Neverending Story
This is one of the least subtle movies being referenced in the show, as Dustin belts out an incredible rendition of the film's titular song alongside his girlfriend who very much does exist, Suzie. You'll have to watch the show to see them in action, but for now, check out the classic version above!
2. Invasion of the Body Snatchers
The way in which the Mindflayer controls his victims and uses them as a host reminded a lot of people watching of 1978 film, Invasion of the Body Snatchers. In the horror classic, alien pods came to Earth and began replicating the residents, in a bid to take over. If the Mindflayer's a movie buff, it's clear to see where he got his inspiration!
1. National Lampoon's Vacation
The season finale sees the group all together at last, with Dustin using call signs across walkie talkies, and referencing what must be one of his favourite films of the time, National Lampoon's Vacation. With Nancy driving the same type of car - a station wagon - that's used by the Griswold family in the movie, Dustin decides to give the group the 'Griswold Family' codename!
Stranger Things Seasons 1-3 are available now exclusively on Netflix.
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