Unveiling the Upside Down: The ‘Stranger Things 5’ Revelation

Key Takeaways

• The Upside Down in Stranger Things is a wormhole that connects the human world to a darker dimension called the Abyss.
• The Abyss is the origin of the terrifying monsters that stalk Hawkins, including demogorgons, demo-bats, and demo-dogs.
• The Upside Down was created when Dr. Brenner compelled a young Eleven to enter the psychic void and make contact with a demogorgon, forming a bridge between the human world and the Abyss.
• The Duffer brothers, creators of Stranger Things, had planned to reveal the mythology of the Upside Down for a long time, but initially didn’t want to know more than their characters.
• The final season of Stranger Things will explore the concepts of the Upside Down and the Abyss in more detail, using visual concepts and production design to bring the story to life.

Introduction to the Upside Down
The origins of the Upside Down are deeply connected to the creation of the Stranger Things universe. When the Duffer brothers first pitched the show to Netflix, they were asked to develop a mythology for the series, including the backstory of the Upside Down. Initially, the brothers didn’t want to know more than their characters, but they eventually wrote a 20-page document outlining the mythology of the show. This document has been the basis for the development of the Upside Down and its connection to the darker dimension, the Abyss.

The Revelation of the Upside Down
In the premiere of Stranger Things season 5, Volume 2, Dustin Henderson uncovers the truth about the Upside Down while searching through Dr. Brenner’s old journals. The Upside Down is revealed to be a wormhole, held together by a swirling ball of exotic matter, which connects the human world to the Abyss. This revelation is a huge relief for the Duffer brothers, who have been planning to reveal the mythology of the Upside Down for a long time. The brothers agree that it was a good thing that Netflix pushed them to develop the mythology, as it has allowed them to create a rich and complex world for the show.

The Science Behind the Upside Down
The Duffer brothers have always been interested in exploring the scientific concepts behind the Upside Down. According to Ross, the show is grounded in real scientific ideas, which makes the horror elements even scarier. The Upside Down is depicted as a twisted portrayal of Hawkins, with a constantly overcast sky and a setting that is forever frozen in the year 1983. The Abyss, on the other hand, is a completely different environment, with a yellow-tinged color palette and a rugged, canyon-like landscape. The brothers have used real locations in New Mexico as a starting point for the visual development of the Abyss.

The Development of the Abyss
The Abyss has been a part of the Stranger Things mythology for a long time, but its details were only fully developed earlier this year. The Duffer brothers have described the Abyss as a purgatory-like dimension, where Henry Creel/Vecna/One roams alone and becomes increasingly twisted and monstrous. The Abyss is also the origin of the terrifying monsters that stalk Hawkins, including demogorgons, demo-bats, and demo-dogs. The brothers have used the stage play and prequel story, Stranger Things: The First Shadow, to provide hints about the Abyss, including its yellow-hued atmosphere and desolate landscape.

The Visual Representation of the Upside Down
The Duffer brothers have worked with the show’s producers and directors to develop a visual representation of the Upside Down and the Abyss. Shawn Levy, a producer and director of the series, remembers how the Duffers gathered a small group of people to work out the mechanics of the Upside Down, using a diagram to visualize the concept. This diagram has been used to explain the concept to the characters in the show, and has also been incorporated into the production design and shot design of the final episodes. The brothers have also used visual concepts, such as a slinky and a flashlight, to explain additional concepts and bring the story to life.

Conclusion
The Upside Down and the Abyss are central to the mythology of Stranger Things, and their revelation has been a long time coming. The Duffer brothers have developed a rich and complex world, grounded in real scientific ideas, which has allowed them to create a unique and terrifying horror story. The final season of Stranger Things will explore the concepts of the Upside Down and the Abyss in more detail, using visual concepts and production design to bring the story to life. With the series finale arriving on New Year’s Eve, fans will finally get to see the conclusion of the story, and the fate of the characters they have grown to love.