Part of Stranger Things’ appeal (notably to Gen-X’ers) is the
nostalgia manifested within the world of Hawkins, Indiana.
Which is why we scratched our heads at the evolution of the Demadogs
(Demagorgon, Mind Flayer, whatever floats your boat), compared to that of the terrifying,
sweaty tooth beast from LV-426 (Alien).
The similarities between beasts are obvious: fast, exponential body growth, shedding of
skin, multiple sets of teeth and a quick first step. The Alien has acid for blood and therefore,
cannot simply be shot and killed. The
Demadog doesn’t have a true self-defense mechanism. Its only protection is Will, who is infected by
the Shadow Monster and the agent by which the evil beasts exist.
The nitpick being, Stranger Things cut corners and didn’t give us
a monster worth its horrifying salt.
Aside from the look, the Demadogs are a poor man’s replica of the
Alien. They are not monsters as much as
they are simply undomesticated pets from the Upside Down running amok, with no
passion except for human flesh. They
have no inner life.
In contrast, the Alien has a goal of constantly reproducing its
kind, stopping at nothing to ensure its preservation. They are beings that can survive on their own
and aren’t relegated to a world controlled inside someone’s imagination. Moreover, there is gravitas with direct conflict
and not through a supernatural conduit.
It also doesn’t wash that the heat-laden exorcism of Will could
occur with any sort of time sensitivity.
Just ask Father Merrin when he tried to run Pezuzu out of Reagan’s
body in The Exorcist… it’s a real pain in the ass.
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