There is a disturbing conspiracy that “most people don’t even know” inspired the TV series Stranger Things.
Many fans of the Netflix show have been shocked to find out where the origins of the series come from.
It’s been one of the most popular shows on the streaming platform since it was first released in 2016 but there is a little-known fact about the show and how it came to be.
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Many fans don’t know this but the story behind Stranger Things was actually inspired by a conspiracy theory called the Montauk Project.
The theory was first sparked after two authors, Preston Nichols and Al Bielek, claimed that they had remembered some repressed memories from their childhoods.
What is the Montauk Project?
According to the pair, Nichols had been abducted as a kid and forced to take part in a US government organization which was developing different psychological warfare techniques and other research including time travel.
These supposedly took place at Montauk Air Force Station - also known as Camp Hero - in Montauk, New York.
Stranger Things creators, the Duffer brothers, revealed that they became “obessed” with the conspiracy and even pitched a script concept titled The Montauk Experiment.
Though it never came to be, the Duffer brothers evolved their script into The Montauk TV series which eventually became Stranger Things.
Fans took to Reddit to share their thoughts, with one user claiming: “The original title of Stranger Things was Montauk, based on the coastal city of Montauk, New York in Long Island, where it was to be set and filmed.
“These were dropped due to expensive/cold weather in Montauk and the title was changed to Stranger Things after Stephen King's Needful Things.”
Another person said: “I’ve heard it was dropped because Indiana is more relatable than Montauk, Long Island.
“It is 100% based on Montauk/Camp Hero though. Stories of experiments on kids, and a creepy abandoned military base (featuring a massive radar dish that if I remember correctly is the only one left like it in the US).
“Given that the base is pretty much at the end of the world, overlooking bluffs, it’s a very ominous and spooky place.”
And a third added: “The design of the monster from the first season kind of resembles the Montauk monster if you ask me.”
Others shared their thoughts on the name change. “Good call,” one person said. “Stranger Things is a much better name.”