Stranger Things features the Upside Down, demogorgons, psychic powers, and dark supernatural forces. Many Christian parents have asked whether this show crosses the line into genuinely demonic territory or whether it is simply fantasy storytelling.
Understanding the Upside Down Through a Biblical Lens
Stranger Things is set in 1980s Hawkins, Indiana, where a group of children encounter a parallel dimension called the Upside Down — a dark mirror of the real world filled with monstrous creatures and a shadowy intelligence. The show features psychic powers, demonic-looking creatures, possession-like control, and occult-adjacent imagery. It's understandable why Christian parents ask whether this crosses into genuinely demonic territory.
The key biblical distinction here is critical. Not all supernatural darkness in fiction is spiritually harmful. C.S. Lewis wrote extensively about demonic forces in The Screwtape Letters and The Chronicles of Narnia — and these works are considered spiritually enriching by most Christians. The question is not "does darkness appear?" but "how is darkness framed?"
Why Stranger Things Falls in the Fantasy Category
In Stranger Things, the dark forces of the Upside Down are consistently portrayed as evil, threatening, and something to be fiercely opposed and ultimately defeated. The Demogorgon, the Mind Flayer, and Vecna are not objects of worship, sources of spiritual power to be harnessed, or figures to admire — they are monsters to be destroyed. The protagonists' entire moral framework is oriented against these forces.
This places Stranger Things in what the Godly Score system calls "fantasy demons opposed" — distinct from content where demonic or occult forces are presented positively. 1 Peter 5:8 describes the devil as a "roaring lion looking for someone to devour." Remarkably, Stranger Things actually presents its supernatural evil in a strikingly similar way — as something to be resisted, not engaged.
The Show's Genuine Virtues
Beyond the supernatural elements, Stranger Things is built on a foundation of genuinely admirable virtues. The core friendships — the bond between Mike, Will, Dustin, and Lucas — and the sacrificial love of Joyce for her son model values entirely consistent with Christian ethics. Jim Hopper's arc from broken, self-medicating widower to self-sacrificing protector is one of the most compelling redemption arcs in recent television.
John 15:13 says "Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends." This theme runs throughout Stranger Things, culminating in multiple characters willing to sacrifice everything for those they love. The show takes friendship, family, and sacrifice seriously in ways that much prestige television does not.
Where Caution Is Warranted
The Godly Score of 42/100 reflects several genuine concerns. Later seasons include increasingly graphic violence — Season 4 in particular contains extended sequences of brutal death that push well past action-adventure territory. A mild LGBT storyline involving Robin's coming-out and Will's implied orientation begins in Season 3. Some profanity throughout, increasing in later seasons.
Romans 14:19 encourages us to pursue "what leads to peace and to mutual edification." For mature Christian adults, Stranger Things can be watched with discernment. For children under 13, parental preview and ongoing conversation is strongly recommended.