Although the concluding chapter of Stranger Things finally shed light on the Upside Down’s genesis and the malevolent bond between Vecna and the Mind Flayer, the biological mysteries of Hawkins’ various predators remain largely unexplored. The debut teaser for the upcoming animated midquel, Stranger Things: Tales From ‘85, promises to bridge these gaps by introducing a terrifyingly adaptable organism capable of shifting into myriad lethal forms.
Positioned chronologically between the second and third seasons, Tales from ‘85 is scheduled for an April 23 premiere. The series adopts a vibrant, “Saturday morning cartoon” aesthetic while meticulously preserving the franchise’s trademark blend of 1980s nostalgia and visceral horror. The preview highlights a tense moment where Hopper (voiced by Brett Gipson) looms over a jittery Mike (Luca Diaz) as he arrives to take Eleven (Brooklyn Davey Norstedt) out for a winter excursion. However, their plans for sledding and Dungeons & Dragons are quickly derailed by a burgeoning supernatural crisis.
The footage showcases a reptilian entity—sporting the iconic multi-petaled maw of a Demogorgon—evading a hazmat-clad figure armed with a flamethrower. As the party tracks the runaway specimen, they realize it is undergoing rapid, horrific metamorphoses. One iteration utilizes a pumpkin as a makeshift head to create a macabre, living jack-o’-lantern, while another displays elongated talons as it prowls the corridors of Hawkins High. The protagonists must also contend with sentient, tooth-filled vines and a massive, hulking beast that resembles a distorted, predatory wolf.
This suggests that Hawkins is being terrorized by an Abyssal entity that has either been genetically altered by human experimentation or possesses a natural ability to mirror Earth’s flora and fauna. Much like the “Dart” specimen Dustin briefly raised, the creatures in Tales of ‘85 appear to follow a complex life cycle, one that is aggressively shaped by their immediate environment.
The project is led by showrunner Eric Robles (Glitch Techs), with animation duties handled by Flying Bark Productions (What If…?). The Duffer Brothers serve as executive producers for the series, which begins streaming on Netflix on April 23.
Source: Polygon
