Hugh Jackman’s Best Movie of The 2010s Inspired Stranger Things, The Duffer Brothers Confirm

How Hugh Jackman’s Prisoners Inspired Stranger Things

The Duffer Brothers, creators of Stranger Things, have revealed that one of Hugh Jackman’s most acclaimed films, Prisoners (2013), had a strong influence on their hit Netflix series. The movie’s dark atmosphere and emotional core became a reference point while shaping Stranger Things’ early concept and tone.

The Impact of Prisoners

In interviews, the Duffers explained that Prisoners offered the perfect model for balancing human emotion and suspense in a mystery. The film follows a father’s desperate attempt to find his missing daughter, blending psychological depth with haunting visuals. The creators admired how Denis Villeneuve, the film’s director, portrayed both the brutality of fear and the tenderness of family bonds — elements they sought to mirror in Hawkins’ mysteries.

“Prisoners had the emotional intensity and the visual tension we wanted for our story,” the Duffers shared.
“That grounded human desperation under extraordinary circumstances.”

Building the DNA of Stranger Things

When crafting the early episodes, the Duffers studied Prisoners to understand how to weave terror and heart into a coherent narrative. This influence is particularly visible in the first season’s search for Will Byers, echoing Jackman’s character’s relentless quest in Prisoners.

Both stories revolve around a parent’s fear, a missing child, and the unsettling truth hidden beneath a small-town surface. The Duffers combined Prisoners’ realism with E.T., The Goonies, and A Nightmare on Elm Street to form Stranger Things’ unique hybrid tone.

“We wanted horror that feels real and emotional,” noted Matt Duffer.
“Villeneuve showed that you can be grounded and still deeply cinematic.”

A Lasting Creative Influence

Even as Stranger Things evolved into a supernatural adventure, the sensibilities drawn from Prisoners — tension, dread, and empathy — remained a central thread. The movie’s psychological weight helped elevate the show beyond simple 1980s nostalgia, grounding its fantasy in emotional truth.

Author Summary

The Duffer Brothers cite Hugh Jackman’s Prisoners as a key influence for Stranger Things, shaping its emotional intensity and suspenseful storytelling DNA.

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FandomWire FandomWire — 2025-11-29

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