Stranger Things premiered in July 2016, immediately taking the world by storm. The throwback sci-fi horror saga has become one of the biggest franchises on the planet, expanding into the world of stage productions with Stranger Things: The First Shadow and animated projects with Stranger Things: Tales From '85.
In many ways, the upcoming Other Worlds: A Stranger Things Adventure, upholds an unofficial franchise rule, which is never to go beyond the events of the original series. Other Worlds is the third spinoff in a row to flesh out earlier points in the timeline instead. However, the third prequel in Stranger Things history is also something of a trailblazer.
Other Worlds is the first Stranger Things project not set in Hawkins, Indiana
Although some scenes take place away from Hawkins (and Upside Down Hawkins), it has remained the central setting of the franchise since 2016. The original series, The First Shadow, and Tales From '85, all stayed put and taught us more and more about the ficticious Indiana town. For the last decade, Hawkins has almost felt like a living, breathing Stranger Things character.
That's why Other Worlds is such a game-changer. It'll be set in Nevada, in the fictional town of Marion. Unlike Hawkins, whose idyllic Americana vibes were shattered by the Upside Down, Marion appears to be an isolated 1950s desert town that intentionally lacks quite the same amount of nostalgic suburban charm.
Of course, this makes sense. The earliest twists in Stranger Things were made more shocking by the sharp contrast between the Upside Down and Hawkins, whereas there are already expectations about what to expect from Other Worlds in terms of genre-heavy worldbuilding. Making Marion too sleepy and laid back wouldn't have the same impact this time around.
Other Worlds' location shift is just what Stranger Things needed
Hawkins has been plumbed dry for narrative potential at this point. From The First Shadow all the way to the Stranger Things season 5 finale, the franchise has covered three decades of the same town's history. The world has always felt bigger than Hawkins, and yet we've barely been permitted to see anything outside the town's borders.
Although Netflix is arguably playing things a little too safe by setting Other Worlds before everything else, taking the story away from Hawkins is still a positive step. What remains to be seen is whether the prequel will be able to resist the urge to lean on lore that's already familiar, teasing what's already destined to happen at later points in the timeline. Hopefully, Other Worlds: A Stranger Things Adventure will stay focused on fresh characters and storylines in Marion.
Other Worlds: A Stranger Things Adventure is expected to land on Netflix in 2028.
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