The Surprising 1980s Movie Influence of Stranger Things Season 3

The 1980s gave us some of the most quotable movies, most imitable styles, and most iconic imagery. Among the greats I would readily include Stand By Me, E.T., Ghostbusters, and Thriller. However, Stranger Things has been there, done that. But, there’s more! Can I offer you Beetlejuice, Poltergeist, A Nightmare on Elm Street, or The Thing? The series hasn’t done a single Take On Me filter. No? Then where could the Duffer brothers’ inspiration spring from next?

David Harbour dished to Variety about the surprising influence for Stranger Things in season 3. Of course, Stranger Things is a wholly original, but don’t be surprised if you see Fletch references pop up in future episodes.

“The Duffers are so specific each year with the movies,” Harbour said. “And Fletch is one movie we get to play around and have some fun with this season, which you wouldn’t expect from Stranger Things and you wouldn’t expect from the Spielberg universe and you certainly wouldn’t expect from a darker season.’”

Yes, that is accurate. I would not expect for the madcap Chevy Chase character showcase to intersect with Stranger Things. The SNL alum starred in the crime action love story in 1985 in which he assumed many identities.

Deadline reported that Jake Busey would join the Stranger Things cast back in April as a journalist for The Hawkins Post. His character was described as having, “questionable morals and a sick sense of humor.” That sounds like someone who could idolize Fletch. Chase’s character was also a newspaper reporter who gets mixed up in a wild story.

The Fletch tie in won’t be the only source of levity this season. Steve Harrington (Joe Keery) is also suiting up as an ice cream sailor for his summer job at the new Starcourt Mall. The rest of the season promises to be bleak and Will Byers (Noach Schnapp) will probably have an awful go of it again.

Stranger Things returns next year.

Featured Image: Stranger Things via Netflix