The final showdown for Hawkins is approaching, and the fight between darkness and the kids who’ve been battling it for years is about to reach unimaginable heights. As the Upside Down tightens its grip and old enemies resurface, ‘Stranger Things‘ prepares for a finale that could change everything.
Yet beneath the supernatural chaos lies something unexpected: a hidden influence from one of television’s most iconic fantasy battles.
‘Stranger Things’ Season 5 Looks To Westeros For Inspiration
Since its debut, ‘Stranger Things‘ has skillfully blended nostalgia with grand storytelling, but for its last season, the Duffers are aiming even higher. The show has reportedly turned to ‘Game of Thrones‘ for creative inspiration and not just in spirit. Over the years, the production team has even consulted Thrones producers on safety and large-scale set coordination, ensuring the same precision that went into epic TV battles like those fought in Westeros.
Related: ‘Stranger Things’ Team Has Real Fear Of Final Season Facing ‘Game Of Thrones’-Level Rage
Now, as the fifth season looms, Matt and Ross Duffer have teased that the story’s most intense moments are still ahead. In an interview with Empire, Matt Duffer revealed that “Episode 4 and Episode 8 are just monsters,” hinting at massive sequences that will push both emotion and scale to the limit. He explained that one of these climactic confrontations aims to “evoke the same feeling” as Game of Thrones’ unforgettable “Battle of the Bastards.”
That comparison alone has sparked endless theories among fans. Could Eleven be fighting through swarms of Demogorgons in a final stand? Or will Vecna lead his own army from the shadows? The Duffers have kept those details close to their chest, but the promise of a ‘Battle of the Bastards’-style showdown makes the anticipation electric.
‘Jurassic Park’ And ‘Home Alone’ Get the Hawkins Treatment
As the Duffers draw on ‘Game of Thrones‘ for scale, they’re also taking cues from two beloved big-screen classics: ‘Jurassic Park‘ and ‘Home Alone‘. The first trailer for Season 5 already teases a heart-pounding scene where Lucas protects Max as Demodogs prowl nearby. The suspense immediately recalls Jurassic Park’s legendary kitchen sequence; raptors stalking their prey among falling utensils, only this time, it’s Demodogs in the dark corridors of Hawkins.
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But the season won’t just lean on terror; it’s also embracing a little chaos and cleverness. Matt Duffer told Empire that “Home Alone plays a huge part in one of the episodes“, though he avoided naming which one. He said that both the “spirit of Home Alone and the climax of ‘Home Alone’ were key influences“. When asked if the villains would suffer traps like the infamous Wet Bandits, Duffer smiled and said, “Something like that.”
That hint suggests fans might see the characters of Hawkins using almost playful methods to survive. Drawing influence from ‘Jurassic Park‘, ‘Home Alone‘, and ‘Game of Thrones‘ might seem like a bold choice, but it fits perfectly with ‘Stranger Things’ legacy. Fans are already hoping the final season sticks the landing, unlike ‘Game of Thrones‘ own controversial ending.
