Stranger Things’ Alien Influence: Joe Keery’s Favorite Movie

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It’s crazy to think it’s been 10 years since the show first came out – it’s totally become a huge part of pop culture! As one of the most-streamed shows ever, it’s really launched the careers of people like Millie Bobby Brown, Finn Wolfhard, and Joe Keery. I was reading an interview with Keery from the Season 5 press tour – Letterboxd asked all the cast about their favorite movies. And honestly, I wasn’t surprised to see Ridley Scott’s film made his top four. It’s a big influence on the project he’s most known for, so it makes total sense!

Released in 1979, this classic sci-fi horror film remains incredibly influential and is considered by many to be one of the best films ever made. The creators of Stranger Things, the Duffer brothers, have often acknowledged the strong impact of 1970s and 80s films on the show, its creatures, and characters like Steve Harrington, played by Joe Keery.

Stranger Things May Pull from the Alien Series More Than Any Other Movie Franchise

Drawing inspiration from classics like A Nightmare on Elm Street, Ghostbusters, and Jaws, Stranger Things clearly builds upon many earlier films, especially Alien and its incredibly successful sequels. The show’s visual style, characters, and central storyline all show a strong influence from Alien.

The creepy alternate dimension and monster designs in Stranger Things are heavily inspired by Alien, particularly as we learn more about the Demogorgon’s life cycle – involving eggs, worms, and tentacles. The show frequently borrows visual cues from the Alien films, even the less popular ones, like when Season 4’s prison plot echoed Alien: Resurrection (a movie that also featured Winona Ryder).

As a huge movie fan, I noticed a lot of clever nods to classic films in this one. Several characters felt familiar, and it totally hit me when Michael Biehn showed up – it’s a direct shout-out to his role in Aliens! But it doesn’t stop there. Even Joe Keery’s character, Steve, reminded me a lot of Ellen Ripley from Alien. They both start off a little distant, but as the story goes on, they both really step up and become these incredibly protective, almost parental figures. It’s a really cool parallel, and it shows how much the filmmakers clearly love those older movies.

It’s clear that Joe Keery is heavily influenced by the movie Alien. He’s called it a perfect film, and his co-star, Natalia Dyer, hinted that her character’s hairstyle in the fifth season was inspired by Ellen Ripley from Alien.

Joe Keery’s Other Favorite Films Are Influential to His Acting

Besides Alien, Joe Keery’s Letterboxd account reveals three other favorite films. These choices are noticeable in his acting, particularly in his role as Steve Harrington. He’s a fan of two comedies: Richard Linklater’s classic 1993 film Dazed and Confused, and a more recent 2023 Christmas comedy-drama.

Both movies are funny, relatable stories about growing up, similar to many high school comedies. Joe Keery’s characters in Stranger Things – whether playing the tough guy or the sensitive teen – would fit perfectly into either film.

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Joe Keery also brought up the 1975 film Barry Lyndon by Stanley Kubrick, describing it as a darkly funny movie and highlighting Kubrick’s impressive technical skills. As a fan of the film, Keery demonstrates his appreciation for classic, artistic cinema. Barry Lyndon won four Academy Awards for its technical achievements and received nominations in three additional categories.

Winona Ryder’s passion for science fiction extends beyond classics like Alien and her breakout role in Stranger Things. She’s now set to star in Cold Storage, a highly anticipated sci-fi horror film slated for 2026. She’ll appear alongside Georgina Campbell (known for Barbarian) and Sosie Bacon (Smile). The movie is based on a novel by David Koepp, a celebrated Hollywood screenwriter who has penned scripts for hits like Jurassic Park, Spider-Man, and Stir of Echoes.

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2025-12-27 03:40