STRANGER Things fans have the bittersweet knowledge that while a new series of the show is coming out in 2025, it will be the last one.
The fifth and final season of the mega-hit teen horror has sparked intrigue among fans — here we look at possible links between episode six and the book A Wrinkle in Time.
The sixth episode of series five of Stranger Things is called Escape From Camazotz.
This title suggests a fascinating connection between the popular Netflix series and Madeleine L’Engle’s classic 1962 children’s novel.
A Wrinkle in Time is a beloved science fiction-fantasy novel that has captivated readers for generations.
The story follows young Meg Murry, her brother Charles Wallace and their friend Calvin O’Keefe as they embark on an interplanetary journey to rescue Meg’s father.
Their adventure takes them across the universe, including a visit to the mysterious planet Camazotz.
In L’Engle’s novel, Camazotz is portrayed as a dystopian planet where conformity reigns supreme and everything is miserable thanks to The Black Thing — a powerful force of evil threatening the universe.
The planet’s inhabitants live under the oppressive control of a disembodied brain called IT, which possesses powerful telepathic abilities.
IT enforces a strict uniformity, causing the people of Camazotz to behave in a mechanical, almost robotic manner.
Interestingly, the name Camazotz also has roots in Mayan mythology.
In these ancient tales, Camazotz is depicted as a bat-like monster associated with death and the underworld.
The name literally translates to “death bat” in the K’iche’ language.
The parallels between A Wrinkle in Time and Stranger Things are striking, suggesting that the reference to Camazotz in the episode title is no accident.
Both narratives feature young protagonists facing otherworldly threats and exploring alternate dimensions.
The concept of mind control, central to Camazotz in A Wrinkle in Time, resonates strongly with themes in Stranger Things.
The series has consistently portrayed the Upside Down’s monsters attempting to control humans, mirroring the way IT dominates the inhabitants of Camazotz.
Stranger Things is famous for its numerous references to popular culture, particularly from the 1980s.
For the fifth series it looks like the writers may have gone a little further back for inspiration.
While the exact nature of the connection remains to be seen, the deliberate reference to Camazotz suggests that fans of both Stranger Things and A Wrinkle in Time are in for a treat.
The crossover between classic literature and modern television demonstrates the enduring power of storytelling.
Fans are eagerly awaiting the release of the final season to see how this literary connection unfolds on screen and contributes to the series’ grand finale.
