Duffer Brothers’ Lost 2007 Horror Short Sparks Stranger Things Theories
A forgotten 2007 horror short by the Duffer brothers has resurfaced online, just weeks after the Stranger Things season 5 finale, and fans are buzzing about its unexpected connection to the hit Netflix series.
Just weeks after the highly anticipated season 5 finale of Stranger Things dropped on Netflix, a long-lost horror short from the show’s creators, Matt and Ross Duffer, has suddenly reappeared online. The film, titled Eater, was written and directed by the Duffer brothers back in 2007 while they were students at California’s Dodge College. Released a full decade before their breakout success with Stranger Things, this 18-minute thriller is now making waves again, thanks to renewed interest from horror fans and its unexpected ties to the Netflix phenomenon.
Eater, based on a short story by Peter Crowther, centers on a rookie police officer working the graveyard shift at a local station. The night takes a terrifying turn when a deranged cannibal prisoner takes over the precinct. Emanuel Borria stars as the young cop, and his connection to the Duffer brothers didn’t end there—he returned to work with them years later, appearing as Sergeant Luis Ramirez in three episodes of Stranger Things’ fifth season.
Hidden Connections Between Eater and Stranger Things
The links between Eater and Stranger Things go beyond shared cast members. In the final episode of season 5, a subtle reference to the Duffers’ early work appears during a rooftop scene. As Steve, Jonathan, Nancy, and Robin gather atop the radio tower, Jonathan Byers (played by Charlie Heaton) reveals he’s studying filmmaking at New York University. He mentions he’s working on an “anti-capitalist cannibal movie ” called The Consumer. This title, by definition, mirrors Eater, hinting at a clever nod to the brothers’ original short film.
Fans quickly picked up on this Easter egg, sparking playful speculation about whether Jonathan ever completed his film project. The connection has fueled theories that the Duffer brothers might weave more of their past work into future projects, blurring the lines between their early and current creations.
Fan Reactions and Ongoing Buzz
With Eater now available to watch for free on YouTube, longtime fans and newcomers alike are revisiting the short to spot parallels with Stranger Things. The resurfacing of the film has reignited discussions about the Duffers’ creative journey and the evolution of their storytelling style. Some viewers have even joked about the possibility of Eater existing within the Stranger Things universe, given the direct reference in the season finale ’s epilogue.
For those eager to dive deeper, reviews and detailed breakdowns of the Stranger Things season 5 finale offer more insight into the show’s layered storytelling and the Duffer brothers’ penchant for hidden connections. As the buzz continues, Eater stands as a fascinating piece of the puzzle for fans eager to trace the roots of one of TV’s most beloved sci-fi sagas.