List Of 80s References In 'The Body' - Stranger Things, Episode 4

July 18, 2016 8:00 PM ‐ Television • Stranger Things • Netflix

This article is more than eight years old and was last updated in August 2020.

There's quite a lot of Stephen King references in this episode, the first being the episode's title itself. 'The Body' is a short story that features in King's 1982 anthology, 'Different Seasons'.

The boys plan take Eleven to school with them, but so she blends in they dress her up in Nancy's clothes. The look they give her resembles that of Carrie White from the 1967 movie 'Carrie' based on King's novel of the same name. The character Carrie also has telekinetic powers like El.

During this dress-up montage, croquet mallets are seen in the Wheelers' house, which could be a reference to King's novel 'The Shining', as a croquet mallet is famously used as a weapon. Later when Hopper arrives at the morgue to inspect Will's body, the officer on guard is reading King's 'Cujo'.

In the same at the morgue, Hopper also makes reference to someone called O'Bannon in this scene. This could be a nod to Dan O'Bannon, the screenwriter of 'Alien' and director of 'The Return Of The Living Dead'.

Other references include a poster for the 1982 Jim Henson's movie 'The Dark Crystal' next to Mike's bedroom, which can be spotted near the start of the episode. Seconds later, eagle-eyed viewers might catch a glimpse of a Commodore computers sticker in Lucas' bedroom.

Music

'Atmosphere' - Joy Division

After Hopper breaks the news to Joyce there's a montage set to this 1980 Joy Division song.

'Should I Stay Or Should I Go' - The Clash

We hear Will singing this song over the radio after Eleven affects it with her powers.

'Color Dreams' - The Deep

This song is playing in the Hideaway Bar where Hopper goes to interrogate David O'Bannon, the state trooper who found Will's body.

'Should I Stay Or Should I Go' - The Clash

There's another blast of The Clash when Joyce plays it to try to encourage Will to contact her.

More From 'Stranger Things'

There's loads more from Hawkins on our 'Stranger Things' pages including playlists of music from the show, and you can test your knowledge of 'Stranger Things' with our trivia quizzes. Plus check out our complete 'Stranger Things' episode guide for all four seasons.

On To Chapter Five

S01E05

80s References In Stranger Things, Episode 5

July 19, 2016

A complete list of 80s easter eggs and pop culture references in the fifth episode of season one of the supernatural Netflix series, Stranger Things.

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