A closer look at Stranger Things reveals strong Lovecraftian influences, which serve as a reminder to watch another brilliant Netflix horror show. Although Stranger Things is a mishmash of many genres and draws from many different inspirations, it is hard not to see how the core of its story echoes elements of Lovecraftian horror.
Created by the Duffer Brothers, Stranger Things has had an incredible run on Netflix for the last nine years. While most shows on the streamer barely get renewed beyond two seasons, Stranger Things has been a rare exception with its five-season run. However, like all good things, Stranger Things, too, is coming to an end with season 5.
Although the show’s final installment is on the horizon, with its first part scheduled to be released on November 27, 2025, time seemed to have slowed down as the anticipation for the season grows. Viewers eagerly waiting for the show can fill the gap by watching Netflix’s best Lovecraftian horror show.
Before Stranger Things Season 4, Horror Fans Must Watch Netflix’s Best Lovecraftian Show
Archive 81 is the purest Lovecraftian show on Netflix because of how it subtly draws from H.P. Lovecraft’s Color Out of Space, From Beyond, The Call of Cthulhu, The Music of Erich Zann, and several other cosmic horror tales. Interestingly, a closer look at its narrative also reveals it shares many parallels with Stranger Things.
Like Archive 81, Stranger Things also undoubtedly finds inspiration from the core idea behind H.P. Lovecraft’s From Beyond. In the original cosmic horror story, the main character learns that he can access a whole new world that was previously hidden to humans by stimulating his pineal gland.
Something similar happens in both Archive 81 and Stranger Things, where characters find a bridge between their human realm and a shadow dimension. In all three narratives, the characters gradually realize that the more they are able to see the other dimension, the more beings and monsters from the other dimension perceive them.
The monsters in Stranger Things have also always had eldritch undertones, given their ability to have an almost ancient, parasitic consciousness. Their overarching motives, like Lovecraft’s Great Old Ones and Archive 81‘s Kaelego, remain unknown as they reveal their horrifying interdimensional abilities.
Even the human characters in Stranger Things, Archive 81, and Lovecraftian stories like From Beyond often find themselves helpless against the utter indifference and horrifying power of cosmic entities. Considering all the fascinating Lovecraftian parallels between Stranger Things and Archive 81, viewers looking forward to Stranger Things season 5 must watch the Netflix horror show.
Cancelling Archive 81 Was Netflix’s Biggest Horror Misstep
Unlike Stranger Things, which seemingly has a wider appeal, Archive 81 was targeted more towards an adult audience. Despite this, the show performed incredibly well when it premiered on Netflix and was also a part of the streamer’s self-reported Top 10 shows. Unfortunately, like many great shows, it was axed without explanation.
Archive 81 is based on a podcast of the same name by Daniel Powell and Marc Sollinger.
Even though Archive 81 slightly loses steam towards its final arc, in hindsight, it is hard not to see how it held immense potential. It could have easily built on the Lovecraftian elements it had introduced in season 1 for at least one more season or two.
Calling it a Stranger Things replacement would still be a stretch, given how Stranger Things finds inspiration from many different places. However, Archive 81‘s season 1 works well as a one-season wonder that viewers can check out before Stranger Things season 5 lands on Netflix.
This story originally appeared on Screenrant
