Summary
Of all the strange things inStranger Things, the Upside Down is by far the strangest. The horrifying alternate dimension serves as the Netflix show’s narrative driving force, spewing forth all manner of monsters for Eleven and the gang to fight. Even asStranger Thingsseason 5looms, the mystery ofhow the Upside Down was createdand why it exists remains unsolved. From its distinctive ashen palette to its armies of Lovecraftian beasts, the Upside Down has become iconic as a fictional location, immediately striking and never anything less than utterly eerie.
The concept and presentation of the Upside Down may feel like an integral ingredient in theStranger Thingssoup now, but the realm has a completely different official name. As revealed by behind-the-scenes companion showBeyond Stranger Things, the scripts and production materials for season 1 consistently referred to the alternate dimension as “the Nether.” While Eleven was still scripted to call it “the Upside Down,” this was just her description. AsStranger Thingscontinued, “the Nether” was eventually dropped completely in favor of “the Upside Down,” and it’s difficult to overstate the importance of that decision.
The Complete Stranger Things Timeline Explained
Take a closer look at the complete Stranger Things timeline, beginning with the founding of Hawkins, Indiana, and what we know about season 5.
Stranger Things Calling The Upside Down “The Nether” Just Isn’t As Cool
Names play a massive part in how specific elements from a movie or TV show become culturally iconic.Doctor Who’s ship wouldn’t be anywhere near as beloved if it was called “the Gallifreyan Type 40 TT Capsule.” Likewise, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry wouldn’t sound anywhere near as magical if it had a more ordinary name like “Dufftown Magic Academy.” ForStranger Things,the name “Upside Down” surely played a role in making audiences curiousabout the mysterious world beneath Hawkins. The moniker is unique, childlike in a way that chills the spine, and perfectly captures the juxtaposition between the real world and its monster-filled mirror.
The rafts and rafts ofStranger Thingsmerchandise would not have carried as much appeal with “the Nether” plastered across the front.
“The Nether” is bland by comparison. Whereas “the Upside Down” subtly conveys the idea of a scary parallel dimension hiding under the earth, just waiting to pull unsuspecting characters into it, “the Nether” sounds like somewhere halfway to Amsterdam. It’s a vague term that fails to do justice to the frightening nature of theStranger Thingslocation.So generic is “the Nether” as a name, any movie or TV show featuring parallel universes could adopt iteasily enough for their own otherworldly hellscapes. “The Upside Down,” on the other hand, feels purpose-built forStranger Things.
IfStranger Thingshad insisted on making “the Nether” happen, it’s hard to imagine the name would have gripped the world’s cultural consciousness quite as tightly. Certainly, the rafts and rafts ofStranger Thingsmerchandise would not have carried as much appeal with “the Nether” plastered across the front.
Stranger Things Deserves Credit For Dropping The Upside Down’s Original Name
Happy Accidents Are A Vital Part Of The Creation Process
However talented they may be, no writer or director can predict with absolute certainty which aspects of a TV show will sink or swim when filming begins. Predicting how audiences ultimately react to those elements is even harder. Spotting good fortune when it arises is a vital skill in movies and TV, andStranger Things' creators, the Duffer brothers, deserve credit for not trying to force “the Nether” into the show’s lexicon. Spotting how much “Upside Down” was resonating as part of the show’s lore,the Duffers evidently decided to abandon their original intention and run with what was working.
Not all franchises are so brave, and a creator’s vision will often take precedence. The Baby Yoda explosion that happened after the debut ofThe Mandalorianin 2019, for example, was swiftly followed by Disney’s overly optimistic insistence that the cute green puppet should be called “the Child.” More broadly, some of history’s greatest filmmakers are known for embracing happy accidents. From Don Corleone’s stray cat to the symbolism of oranges, some of the most iconic moments inThe Godfathercame as a result of Francis Ford Coppola exploiting unexpected moments of fortune on set.
8 Best Upside Down Theories Stranger Things Season 5 Can Finally Confirm
Stranger Things season 5 has to solve a lot of the Upside Down’s mysteries, and it can confirm some theories about this other dimension.
Stranger Thingsseason 2 could have stuck to its guns and tried to shift audience terminology to “the Nether,” but wasting precious screen time on a technicality, while also increasing the risk of confusing viewers by introducing multiple names for the same place, would have been pointless. And, in all likelihood, “Upside Down” wouldn’t have been knocked from its perch anyway. Accepting “Upside Down” as proper canon, even if that wasn’t the original plan, was a shrewd move by the Duffers - one that surely aidedStranger Thingson its path to iconic status.
Source: Beyond Stranger Things
Stranger Things
Stranger Things is a Netflix series set in the 1980s, where the mysterious disappearance of a young boy leads a small town to uncover secret experiments and supernatural forces. A significant focus is on a peculiar girl who may hold the key to the unfolding mystery.
