Beyond its ’80s nostalgia and classic coming-of-age storylines, a huge appeal ofStranger Thingsis its monster antagonists, and it all started with season 1’s Demogorgon. The show became a massive hit for Netflix when it premiered in 2016, introducing audiences to the residents of Hawkins, Indiana, specifically a group of D&D-loving tween boys. The show starts when one of them,the quiet Will Byers (Noah Schnapp), is abducted by the Demogorgon and taken tothe parallel universe, the Upside Down. From there, things are never the same.
Over the course of the show, as Will’s friends and family learn about the Upside Down and its connection to a secret government laboratory, they have to fend off villain after villain that threaten their very existence. Some, likethe sinister Dr. Brenner (Matthew Modine), are human, but every season features a terrifying, seemingly undefeatable monster. It’s fitting that a lively game of D&D is being played inStranger Things' first scene, becausemost of the monsters are inspired by the tabletop RPG, including the original big bad, the Demogorgon.
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Stranger Things' Demogorgon Is A Humanoid Creature Who Drags His Victims Into The Upside Down Before Killing them
How the Demogorgon Was Defeated in Season 1
The Demogorgon is one of the most iconic and terrifying creatures introduced inStranger Things. As the primary antagonist of season 1, this monstrous entity from the Upside Down presents a chilling blend of otherworldly horror and primal menace. The creature’s design and its horrifying actions play a central role in the season’s suspense and dread.
Stranger Things' Demogorgon is a humanoid creaturewith a nightmarish appearance. Standing upright, it has a muscular build, but its most striking feature is its head. Instead of a conventional face,it possesses a grotesque, flower-like maw with rows of sharp teeth that open to reveal its predatory intent. This unsettling design was brought to life by the actor Mark Steger who described his role as both physically demanding and creatively fulfilling (viaVice). Steger said,
“The simple directions the Duffers gave me were, “You’re basically a shark, like the shark from Jaws, and you travel between realms to feed.” So that was my main goal in this character.”
Introduced through a series of eerie events, the Demogorgon first makes its presence known by causing mysterious disappearances and leaving behind clues that something malevolent is lurking. Its hunting method involves a blend of stealth and terror.The creature stalks its prey in the shadows before dragging them into the Upside Down, a parallel dimension that serves as a grim and decaying reflection of the real world. Here, the Demogorgon’s victims meet their end in a place where the usual rules of survival do not apply.
The Demogorgon’s defeat is a climactic moment in the first season, and Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) plays a crucial role in ending its terror. By creating a portal to the Upside Down and then closing it, she traps the Demogorgon within its own dimension, halting its rampage.
The Demogorgon stands out as one of the best villains inStranger Thingsfor its sheer horror and its impact on the storyline. Unlike other villains in the series, such as the Mind Flayer or Dr. Brenner, the Demogorgon’s menace is immediate and visceral.It combines physical terror with the psychological fear of an unknown dimension, making it a uniquely effective antagonist.
1
Demogorgon
The Demogorgon is defeated by Eleven, who uses her telekinetic powers to create a portal to the Upside Down. She then closes the portal, trapping the Demogorgon within its own dimension and stopping its reign of terror.
2
Mind Flayer
The Mind Flayer is thwarted when Eleven, along with her friends, manages to destroy the portal connecting the Upside Down to Hawkins. The group creates a plan to close the gate and sever the Mind Flayer’s control over the town, thus cutting off its influence and preventing its invasion.
3
The Spider Monster
The Spider Monster, an extension of the Mind Flayer’s influence, is defeated by Eleven and her friends using a combination of fire and electricity. The group lures the creature into a trap at the Starcourt Mall and then destroys it with a combination of tactics, including exposing it to intense heat and electrical currents.
4
Vecna
Vecna is defeated through a multi-faceted approach involving both physical and psychological strategies. Eleven, with the help of her friends, enters Vecna’s mindscape and confronts him directly, while others in the real world work to close the rifts between the Upside Down and Hawkins. This combined effort disrupts Vecna’s plans and ultimately defeats him by cutting off his connection to the real world.
The History Of The Demogorgon & Its Connection To D&D
Origins of the Demogorgon in Greek Mythology
Believe to have beenfirst introduced in Greek mythology, Demogorgon is a mysterious deity often linked with chaos and the underworld, embodying an ancient and dark force. This mythological figure is shrouded in ambiguity, representing a primordial power with little concrete description but immense influence over the forces of darkness.
In Dungeons & Dragons, the Demogorgon is a powerful demon lord of the Abyss, known for its grotesque, two-headed appearanceand dominion over madness and destruction. The choice of thisStranger Thingsantagonist is immediately connected to the show’s opening scene in which Mike (Finn Wolfhard), the Dungeon Master, throws a Demogorgon at the players. In a moment of foreshadowing, Will attempts to “fireball” the monster but is defeated — moments before he’s kidnapped by the real thing. The Demogorgon’sStranger Thingsintroduction is both an homage and a natural extension of the show’s fantastical elements.
Stranger Things
Cast
Stranger Things is a Netflix series set in the 1980s, where the mysterious disappearance of a young boy leads a small town to uncover secret experiments and supernatural forces. A significant focus is on a peculiar girl who may hold the key to the unfolding mystery.
