Summary
- Behind The Curtain: Stranger Things: The First Shadow gives insight into thrilling Stranger Things prequel play.
- First Shadow prequel delves into Vecna’s backstory set in 1959, giving fans a deeper look into Hawkins world.
- Duffer Brothers are praised for captivating play, and are also working on a “very different” Stranger Things spinoff.
Fans are waiting to take another trip to Hawkins, Indiana in Stranger Things season 5 and see all the twists, funny moments, and huge battles. Before the final season airs on Netflix in 2025, there is another chance to visit the Upside Down.
Netflix has released a trailer for the documentary Behind The Curtain: Stranger Things: The First Shadow, which takes a look at how the cast and crew got ready for the play’s original 2023 run at the Phoenix Theatre in London, England. The production is now opening on Broadway on April 22nd, 2025 at the Marquis Theater.
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Stranger Things: The First Shadow is a prequel that takes place in 1959 and focuses on Henry Creel, who grows up to become the terrifying villain Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower). While of course seeing the play during its Broadway run would be a thrilling experience, the documentary is the next best thing, and it will be fascinating to see how it came together. Stranger Things season 4 explored Vecna’s history, and the play shows how this world was created. Fans look forward to seeing Vecna’s Stranger Things season 5 story as they hope the main characters can beat him. The First Shadow will also help fans formulate even more theories about the Upside Down.
The documentary shows the pressure the cast and crew were under to make the play as good as it could be. It also offers up an exciting look at the impressive set. The positive reviews prove that all the hard work paid off and theatergoers felt the play captured the eerie and supernatural world of Hawkins, Indiana.
The Duffer Brothers have praised Stranger Things: The First Shadow and, as reported by Deadline, Ross Duffer said:
“The first time we saw the play, we were blown away.”
Matt Duffer continued:
“They pulled everything off, and then some. It was one of the most thrilling experiences of our lives.”
Matt Duffer explained to The Hollywood Reporter that when the writers were working on Stranger Things season 4, they knew Stephen Daldry wanted to work on a play, and the idea came to fruition. The play is about a teenage Henry Creel and his relationship with Patty Newby. Familiar Stranger Things characters such as Jim Hopper (David Harbour), Joyce Byers (Winona Ryder) and Bob (Sean Astin) are also in the prequel play. It’s definitely fun to see these beloved characters as high schoolers, and it’s intriguing to learn more about Henry’s evil rise. While the story focuses on the events before the Stranger Things pilot, the play’s co-director, Justin Martin, told Londontheater.co.uk “that there are a number of episodes in season four that really set us up and were done deliberately. “He added, “and we set up a number of things that happen in season five. So, it’s really exciting to be part of the canon.”
The First Shadow is only the beginning of the continuation of this epic tale. The Duffer Brothers are working on a spinoff, which they say will be “very different.”
Behind The Curtain: Stranger Things: The First Shadow was executive produced by Matt Bell and produced by Terry Leonard, Kent Kubena and Angus Wall, and directed by Jon Halperin. Fans can watch the documentary on Netflix on April 15th, 2025. While fans are still curious about the exact release date for Stranger Things season 5, the Duffer Brothers gave an update in February 2025 and said it will be on the streaming platform this year.
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Source: Deadline.com