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A new book co-edited by Dr Adam Powell, of our Department of Theology and Religion, takes an unexpected look at one of Netflix's most popular series. 'Religion and Theology in Stranger Things' explores how themes of faith, spirituality, and meaning emerge from the hit show's supernatural storylines. We caught up with Dr Powell to find out more.
Can you summarise the book?
It is an interdisciplinary look at themes of religion, theology and spirituality in Stranger Things. We wanted to reveal how fictional worlds - especially in sci-fi, fantasy, and horror - can be powerful spaces for exploring deep human questions about death, hope, the afterlife, and salvation. What might seem like simple entertainment often touches on some of the most profound issues we face.
Tell us about your chapter - what does it explore?
It looks specifically at season one of the show, focusing on the idea of communicating with the dead. I draw on my previous research into spiritualist mediums - people who claim to speak with spirits - and compare that with how the characters in Stranger Things try to reach the missing Will in the 'Upside Down'. The way they use lights and messages parallels historical attempts to contact the 'other side'. It opens up questions about grief, loss, and how we try to make sense of death.
Do you think the creators of Stranger Things intended these deeper meanings?
Some elements - like good vs evil or life after death - are clearly central to the plot. But we think the deeper themes often come from the shared cultural ideas and human questions we all wrestle with. Even if it's not intentional, shows like this reflect the world around us and can spark important conversations. The book doesn't claim the series is making big theological arguments, it's more about how viewers can engage with these themes through fiction.
What inspired the book?
It was originally the idea of my co-editor, Dr Andrew Byers, but we'd both independently noticed religious and spiritual elements in the show that linked with our research interests. We also both grew up where the show is filmed in Georgia, USA, so it felt personally relevant too. Once we realised there wasn't much existing academic work looking at Stranger Things in this way, we contacted potential contributors and the response was great.
How does this book link to your wider research?
I study religious and spiritual experiences, especially where they overlap with mental health. I've researched why people attend psychic nights; what they hope to gain and whether it helps them cope with loss. Before that, I worked with spiritualist mediums themselves, exploring what it's like to experience what they believe are communications from the dead. I'm interested in how people interpret unusual experiences, and what we might learn from them in both religious and clinical contexts.
Religion and Theology in Stranger Things, edited by Andrew J. Byers and Adam J. Powell, is published by Rowman & Littlefield and is available now online.
