From Montauk to Hawkins: the real-life project that inspired “Stranger Things”

Design by Mila Santana and Emilia Lomeli

Long before Hawkins, Indiana had the Upside Down, something strange was happening in Montauk, New York.

The television series “Stranger Things” is very popular, but many people watch it without realizing that The Duffer brothers (creators of “Stranger Things”) were inspired by a conspiracy theory called the Montauk Project. 

According to Newsweek, “Initially titled ‘Montauk,’ Matt and Ross Duffer’s creation was envisioned as an eight-hour sci-fi horror epic set in 1980 in Montauk, New York, a real town tied to disturbing rumors of government experiments in psychological warfare.” These experiments are known as the Montauk Project and are alleged to have been a CIA mind-controlling initiative.  

Eventually, the Duffer brothers changed their idea to something more subtle. While some of its weirdest parts are based on the rumors of real-world programs, “Stranger Things” also draws heavily from 1980s pop culture. 

However, the inspiration of the Montauk Project can be seen in the show’s mind-control labs and government secrecy. 

In addition, several characters were based on real people who have been associated with the Montauk Project. Two examples are Eleven and Dr. Martin Brenner. Eleven was inspired by Nina Kulagin, and Dr. Martin Brenner was based on Sidney Gottiel, who believed controlling minds would lead to world dominance.

Many Carrollton junior high students have watched “Stranger Things,” and some believe the Montauk project really happened. “Since there was a witness, I feel like it could be true,” said Mila Orjuela ‘31. 

Upper School English teacher Ms. Pujol thinks that the creators used the Montauk Project as inspiration to make the show more mysterious and keep the audience engaged. “I think that makes for good storytelling because the reader or the viewer is going to want to know more,” she said. “Telling a conspiracy theory is an alternative way of presenting a story, so if people are natural storytellers, they’re drawn to conspiracy theories because they’re entertaining.”

What is certain is that “Stranger Things” is very popular in the junior high. According to a recent poll of 45 students, 71.1% have watched it, and over 55% are interested in learning more about the Montauk Project.