Latest news with #Demogorgon
Daily Record
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
'I rescued mystery animal from garden, people say it looks like Stranger Things monster'
A woman was tending to her flowerbeds when she spotted a small, pink creature that people have compared to something out of Stranger Things A gardener was left stunned recently after discovering an unusual creature crawling through her flowerbeds - and she could not believe what it transformed into. While tending to the garden, we may come across insects or see squirrels or rabbits darting across our lawns. However, one gardener was taken aback when they spotted a small, pink creature that people have compared to a "baby demogorgan" - a killer creature and demon in the underworld, famously associated with the hit Netflix series, Stranger Things. She picked it up and took it in - and now, she is astounded by what it has grown into. The gardener shared her experience on her TikTok page @loveu3689, and the video has garnered more than 36million views. After showing the animal rolling around in mud, she was seen picking it up, cleaning it off and feeding it some milk. The gardener said: "I saw a little thing in the garden, I picked it up, it was really dirty. It looks like a newly born little rabbit. It fell asleep in my hand. I fed it some milk. "I don't know if it's looking for its so cute," she added. After caring for the creature, the gardener noticed that it was growing healthily. Hair began sprouting on its body slowly, and she described the animal as "very obedient". The animal also started eating grass, hopping on the gardener's bed and sleeping peacefully in their home. The gardener recounted: "I saw a little thing in the garden, it turned out to be a little rabbit," but opinion was split in the comments section over the creature's identity. "Excuse me, but this is a baby demogorgan," one person insisted. "No way, that's a demogorgan baby," concurred another individual. "I'm so glad I wasn't the only one who thought about this being a baby Demogorgon," chimed in another. "I thought it was a mole," another speculated. Meanwhile another said: "It's a jack rabbit and y'all are about to experience a horror movie. I suggest moving out and leaving the house for it. "It isn't a wild rabbit/bunny, that's a pet. I reckon someone dumped it in your garden," offered another. "This is a Netherland Dwarf rabbit," surmised an observer. Another remarked: "I was afraid it would turn out to be a rat." "I would have never guessed rabbit," added someone else. Amid the exchanges, numerous people expressed their gratitude to the gardener for his kindness towards the animals, while some contemplated whether its mother was in search of the lost creature. Contributing to the thread, one person penned: "My problems is, that I would take care of it, but then start to think about the mother that's somewhere out there, looking for her baby and never knowing where it went. And that would break me." RSPCA advice The RSPCA advises that you should only rescue a rabbit or hare spotted in your garden if it seems to be in peril. It's standard for hares to be left on their lonesome for extended durations, even as infants. Rabbits dwell in burrows until roughly three weeks of age; hence, sighting one aboveground before this timeline typically denotes they necessitate assistance. The RSPCA added: "If you find a baby rabbit or hare alone, they might not have been abandoned. Each year, lots of baby animals are taken into wildlife centres by people who want to help them, but often the best thing to do is leave them alone. Animals take better care of their babies than humans can, so we should only rescue them as a last resort."
Express Tribune
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Meet the ‘Stranger Things' characters on stage in Broadway's The First Shadow prequel
Fans of Netflix's Stranger Things can now experience the supernatural drama live on stage with Stranger Things: The First Shadow, a Broadway prequel set in 1959 Hawkins, Indiana. The play explores the origins of the Upside Down and introduces younger versions of familiar characters from the TV series, offering fresh insights for longtime viewers while remaining accessible to newcomers. The story centers on Henry Creel, a reserved young boy with psychokinetic powers who later becomes the series' primary antagonist, Vecna. His transformation and the mysterious deaths in Hawkins are the play's focal points. Louis McCartney plays Henry, earning a 2025 Tony nomination for his role. Returning characters include a young Joyce Maldonado (later Joyce Byers), Bob Newby, and Jim Hopper Jr., each navigating high school drama and eerie supernatural events. The cast also features the teenage versions of Karen and Ted Wheeler, Claudia Yount and Walter Henderson, and Sue Anderson and Charles Sinclair — the future parents of key characters in the TV show. Broadway newcomer Patty Newby, not seen in the TV series, plays a significant role in Henry's early life, forming a deep connection with him as his powers emerge. Dr. Martin Brenner appears as a younger version of the controversial scientist, exploring his early experiments with Henry. The show also features live-action stage interpretations of fan-favorite monsters, including the Demogorgon and the Mind Flayer, offering audiences theatrical jump scares and impressive stage effects. Directed with cinematic flair and packed with Easter eggs, Stranger Things: The First Shadow is a must-see for fans awaiting season 5 of the Netflix series.
Washington Post
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Washington Post
The ‘Stranger Things' Broadway show is a terrifying cash grab
If Netflix were in the theme park business, 'Stranger Things: The First Shadow' would make a crown-jewel attraction. The streamer's Broadway debut, now in residence at the Marquis Theatre, is a chaotic fire hose of fan-service with enough sensory stimulation to make even the most experienced gamer want to puke just a little. Devotees of the byzantine fantasy series may even savor the confusion of trying to figure out, from one flash-bang moment to the next, what exactly is going on. And anyone who's dreamed of snuggling a Demogorgon can drop by the merch counter for a horrifying plushie. But the extravagantly staged brand extension is a Broadway play only in the technical sense — in address, price point and duration. To draw audiences through its nearly three hours, the show lurches forward like an episodic binge-watch, banking on and rewarding extensive familiarity with the sci-fi hit. (Not a bad bet, considering Season 4 dominated Nielsen ratings when it was released in 2022.) Both new and existing characters are sketched in bare-boned detail and set into motion, spinning the ever-more convoluted mythology of 'Stranger Things' deeper into the nether-verse. Newcomers beware. Supplemental content that costs exponentially more than monthly Netflix dues, with or without ads? Yes. Theater? Not really. Written by Kate Trefry, who's also a writer on the series, the play acts as both prequel and villain origin story, not unlike 'Wicked' to 'The Wizard of Oz,' only steeped in trauma and murder rather than heart. (Hey, at least it's not a musical.) The action flashes back from the mid-1980s to 1959, when the adults on the show — Winona Ryder's hand-wringing mom, Joyce, and David Harbour's gruff good cop, Jim — were high-schoolers themselves. (The franchise's omnivorous appetite for regurgitating '80s classics now includes 'Back to the Future.') The baddie in question is Henry Creel, played with deeply unnerving intensity by Louis McCartney, reprising his role from the production's 2023 West End premiere. Introduced in Season 4 as the ultimate evildoer behind the many evil doings in Hawkins, Indiana, here Henry is the weird new kid in school with a very obviously dark past. Did he somehow inherit PTSD from his war-addled father (T.R. Knight)? Does the devil possess his soul through the radio? And what's his beef with neighborhood pets, anyway? No matter. When the darkness takes over, he's like a goblin struck by lightning after chugging a sixer of Bang Energy: feral, jittery and out for blood. Whose it is … kind of doesn't matter? Or maybe has something to do with what they're most afraid of. Young Joyce (Alison Jaye) asserts that the central question of the school play within the play — the closest to theatrical DNA as 'The First Shadow' gets — is whether love can defeat fear. Presumably that question also governs Henry's mayhem, but we'll have to take Joyce at her word: The how and why of his deadly fits are a muddle. The staging, led by director Stephen Daldry, has several marvelous, how-on-Earth-did-they moments, including a nautical opening sequence that rewinds to 1943, tying some of the narrative's origins to a World War II military plot gone awry. Cue haze, gunshots and a massive ship tipped vertiginously on its axis. (The set is by Miriam Buether, lights by Jon Clark and sound by Paul Arditti.) A barrage of projected headlines and classified files point to the series's unwieldy grab bag of Cold War bogeymen (Russia, U.S. military intelligence, monsters, etc.), whizzing by as though comprehension were beside the point. Often it is. The production's visual effects, designed by Jamie Harrison and Chris Fisher with video design by 59, are among the most spectacular — and certainly the most frightening — on Broadway. (Yes, there are plenty of nosebleeds.) They are also a distraction from the script, which traffics in the incidents, mini quests and breadcrumbs of intrigue that entice streaming viewers to click on the next episode. But straining to make sense of a play, which lives and dies in the moment, is not dramatic engagement. Like 'Harry Potter and the Cursed Child,' 'The First Shadow' explores the ties that bind and sever children from their parents. (The 'Harry Potter' play was written by Jack Thorne, who collaborated on the original story here with Trefry and series creators the Duffer Brothers.) But 'The First Shadow' is decidedly less kid-friendly and vaguely Oedipal: Mothers are stalked and fetishized, fathers maimed and blinded. Though these dynamics tie into series lore, onstage they come across as lurid and empty provocations. The acting style under Daldry — emphatic and often at extremes — seems another casualty of not breaking free from the small screen. It's likely that everything here will be treated with more coherent detail in the fifth and final season of 'Stranger Things,' set for release later this year, since the play won't be essential viewing for fans. But timing makes this production, and the one still running in London, shrewd commercial tie-ins — and perhaps a more promising investment than the 'rotating immersive experiences' that Netflix plans to open, also later this year, in vacant department stores. Either way, nostalgia continues its lurking reign — whether on Broadway or down at the mall. Stranger Things: The First Shadow, ongoing at the Marquis Theatre in New York. Around 2 hours and 45 minutes with an intermission.
New York Times
09-04-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Times
‘Stranger Things: The First Shadow': What to Know About the Broadway Show
After a critically acclaimed premiere in London's West End in 2023 — where it is still running — 'Stranger Things: The First Shadow,' a play that serves as a prequel to the popular Netflix series, is set to open on April 22 at the Marquis Theater on Broadway. Of course, fans of the show, which is set to release its fifth season later this year, are excited (though it's small consolation for having to wait more than three years between seasons). But what if you can't tell a Demobat from a Demogorgon? Can you plunge right in? Here's what you need to know about the TV series, how it informs the show and more. What is the TV series about? Set in the 1980s in the fictional town of Hawkins, Ind., the Netflix series follows a group of friends as they try to get to the root of supernatural forces and secret government experiments in their town. They discover an alternate dimension — the Upside Down — filled with monstrous creatures, who are not content to sit back and leave them well alone. Over the course of four seasons, a cast anchored by Winona Ryder (Joyce Byers), David Harbour (Chief Jim Hopper), Finn Wolfhard (Mike Wheeler), Millie Bobby Brown (Eleven, a young girl with mysterious powers) and Gaten Matarazzo (Dustin Henderson) save one another from the jaws of death while navigating the complexities of their relationships. (And, in Eleven's case, eating lots of Eggo waffles.) Where does the play fall in the timeline of the TV series? It's a prequel set in 1959 — 24 years before the start of the Netflix series — and centers on a character introduced in Season 4: Henry Creel, a troubled teenager with telepathic powers who will later become Vecna, the show's primary antagonist. Who wrote the play? Kate Trefry, a writer on the TV show, wrote the script based on an original story she developed with Matt and Ross Duffer, who created the series, and with Jack Thorne (a Tony winner for 'Harry Potter and the Cursed Child,' Thorne also wrote the recent Netflix hit mini-series 'Adolescence'). The director is Stephen Daldry, a three-time Tony winner, for 'The Inheritance,' 'Billy Elliot,' and 'An Inspector Calls'; Justin Martin is the co-director. Which characters from the TV series are in the play? You'll meet high school versions of a number of familiar characters from the series' adult cast, including James Hopper Jr. (Burke Swanson), Joyce Byers née Maldonado (Alison Jaye) and Bob Newby (Juan Carlos). A younger version of the scientist Dr. Martin Brenner (Alex Breaux) is also in play, having been tasked with studying Henry Creel (Louis McCartney). What is 'Stranger Things: The First Shadow' about? Henry Creel and his family have just arrived in Hawkins, seeking a fresh start — which proves more difficult than they expect. Meanwhile, the rebellious young Jim Hopper, the son of the town police chief, can't seem to do anything right; the spunky Joyce Maldonado just wants to graduate and leave town, stat (but still has a thing for bad boys); and the tech nerd Bob is hopelessly in love with her. (She is oblivious.) Soon enough, this tangle of typical teenage troubles butts up against a sinister alternate universe, the Upside Down. A wave of gruesome crimes strikes the town, which Jim, Joyce and Bob set out to solve, as Henry reckons with his troubled past, dark powers and the nagging suspicion that he has something to do with all of it. Is the play canonical to the TV series? Yes. Trefry, who wrote the script while also writing Seasons 4 and 5 of the TV series, has said the play acts as a bridge between Season 4 and the forthcoming Season 5. The plan is to reintroduce elements from the play in Season 5 so that everything will still make sense to people who haven't seen the play. Are any of the actors from the TV series in it? No, but you can catch Sadie Sink, who plays the tomboyish skateboarder Max Mayfield, starring in 'John Proctor Is the Villain' one block over at the Booth Theater. What if I haven't watched the TV series? The show's creators say the story is designed to be able to stand alone. But, having seen the show in London, I would strongly advise that you watch at least a few episodes of the series first — going in blind is akin to attending 'Harry Potter and the Cursed Child,' a stage sequel that relies on knowledge of all seven books or films, without having any knowledge of them. You will only be getting part of the story. Is it scary? Like the Netflix series, the play balances horror and comedy. (Justin Martin, the play's co-director, has cited 'The Woman in Black' as an influence.) If you like jump scares, this show is for you! What did critics in London think? British critics were mostly enthusiastic: In The Sunday Times, Dominic Maxwell wrote that it was 'a tremendous technical feat that is also moving, amusing and surprising,' while in The Daily Telegraph, the critic Dominic Cavendish called it 'the theatrical event of the year.' The production also won two Olivier Awards — the British equivalent of the Tony Awards — for best entertainment or comedy play and best set design. But in The New York Times, the critic Houman Barekat was unimpressed, describing it as 'a gaudy, vertiginous fairground ride of a play.' (Reviews for the Broadway production will come out April 22, when the show is slated to open.) Is this the same show that's running in London? Mostly, yes. The characters and plot are the same, though the show is 15 minutes shorter — two hours and 45 minutes on Broadway compared with three hours across the pond — after the creative team did some nipping and tucking. They are also making some changes to the physical production in previews, including adding a couple of illusions and reworking scenes to take advantage of a bigger theater. The cast — with the exception of Louis McCartney, who reprises his performance as Henry Creel from the original West End production — is different as well, and the characters are not carbon copies of their West End versions. Hopper, for one, has much more vulnerability here, Martin, the play's co-director, said in a recent interview. 'You're seeing a second draft,' he said. 'This time around, having all the knowledge from the West End, it was about, how do we now push this idea further, or how do we achieve this illusion that didn't quite work?' 'It's the same story,' he added, 'But I just think it's richer and deeper.' Where is the show? 'The First Shadow' is at the Marquis Theater on West 46th Street, between Broadway and Eighth Avenue. The theater is inside the Marriott Marquis Hotel, on the third floor (enter through the lobby, then take the escalators up). Looking for the stage door to meet the actors after the show? It's on 45th Street, across from the Minskoff Theater, where 'The Lion King' is playing. How do I get cheap tickets? Same-day rush tickets are $40 and available in person at the Marquis Theater box office on a first-come, first-served basis, up to two per person. The box office generally opens at 10 a.m., and you'll want to get there before then — possibly well before then — to join the line. The show also has an online lottery, which offers $45 tickets for every performance, up to two per entry (you can enter once per day). It opens at 10 a.m. the day before each performance and closes at 2 p.m. that same day. In both cases, you can increase your odds of winning by trying on a day when there are two performances scheduled (generally Saturdays). I just want to know: Will I hear that earworm-y theme music? Yes. Rest assured, the play makes liberal use of the Netflix show's signature electro-ethereal theme music. (The floating red letters also make an appearance.)
Buzz Feed
07-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
24 Target Valentine's Day Gifts That'll Make Your Significant Other Say, 'Whoa, Where Did You Find That?'
We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page. Shopping · Surprise your favorite person with something cute, quirky, and fun, like Lego roses, a Demogorgon planter, or a retro edition of Uno. 1. A Lego roses set because while gifting red roses for Valentine's Day is classic and predictable, gifting darling little buds they actually have to build is unique and fun. Plus, these will last way longer than fresh blooms. 🌹 Target Promising reviews:"Very easy to build and super cute." — Rosas "My 5-year-old wanted to build this for me for Mother's Day, so we built it together, and I love it. It was a fun activity, and she barely needed my help!" — Jewel 2. A wine holder that grips to any glossy surface (mirrors, metal, shiny tiles, glass, etc.), so your bath-loving Valentine can ~sip and soak~ in the bubbles until their worries melt away. Target 3. Or, a beer can holder if they're not so much into wine but rather hoppy brews instead. Stick this to any glossy surface, and then they can enjoy a cold one anytime, even when they're taking a shower or bath. Target Promising reviews:"Purchased as a Christmas gift for my brother-in-law. He loved it! Sticks well to tile and glass." — Satisfied Customer "Got this as a silly gift for my bf, and it stays well in our shower. He enjoys using it when he wants a shower beer/drink, but I use it as a phone holder when playing music or podcasts." — Morgan Leigh 4. A matching Shrek-and-Fiona keychain set — one for you and one for your True Love, because there's no one else you'd rather have in your swamp (even when they're being, well, a bit of an ogre). 🥰 5. A honeybee cast cookie stamp set that'll ~bee~ a real sweet delight for anyone who loves to bake cute, decorative cookies. Maybe you could even make a date of it and whip up a scrumptious batch together! Target 6. A teeny-tiny Stranger Things Demogorgon ceramic planter featuring an artificial succulent and lots of creepy-crawly-cute vibes. They'll get a ~spooky~ thrill of joy whenever they see this lil' bb on their desk, especially when they remember it's from you. 7. A 24" LED lightsaber desk lamp for your soulmate Jedi, who works an office job by day but saves the galaxy by night. May The Force be with them. 8. A pack of magnetic bookmarks so they can stop reaching for the nearest scrap of paper and instead grab an adorable animal friend to mark their page. It's a small but thoughtful gift, especially if your partner prefers a more low-key Valentine's Day. Target It comes with 10 different animal types (five of each): unicorn, llama, cat, koala, hedgehog, dog, dino, sloth, panda, and giraffe. 9. The Adventure Challenge Couples Game Mini Dates Edition if you want to guarantee fun, meaningful, and different date night ideas in the future. The deck contains 30 scratch-off activity cards with each adventure designed to be completed in 30 minutes or less. Target The cards remain a mystery until you scratch them off, but you can choose from one of four categories: food, games, playful moments, and intentional conversations. Promising review:"If I could sum up the Adventure Challenge Mini Date Book in two words, it would be relationship revitalizer. This little gem has been the holy grail for our relationship! Each scratch-off date idea is like unwrapping a tiny adventure waiting to happen. It's breathed new life into our time together, sparking laughter, spontaneity, and unforgettable memories. Whether it's exploring new neighborhoods, trying out quirky activities, or simply reconnecting over a cozy night in, this book has become our go-to guide for keeping the excitement alive. Trust me, if you're looking to inject some fun and romance into your relationship, this is the ultimate game-changer!" — squid 10. Create Your Own Calm, a journal with inspiring quotes and activities designed to help reduce anxiety and "create your own calm." Since you can't magically make their anxiousness go away (although you really wish you could), this is the next best thing. 12. A retro edition of Uno so they can relive the nostalgic game nights of their with you now! Oh, and BTW, don't be surprised if they think you spend months searching for this in antique and vintage stores. Target 13. A dry-erase trophy that will let you get a bit creative with recognizing how great your partner is. You could give them an award for being the Best Lover Human in my Favorite Person... you decide! And in a few weeks time, you can simply erase the trophy and give them a new award. Target 14. A nonslip bath mat in the shape of a red heart, if cozy decor is their love language. This is certainly not your average V-Day gift, but it *is* cute and practical. 15. A Papier recipe journal since it'll give your favorite chef a place to write down all their treasured recipes, resulting in an ~aesthetic~ collection (which they might even pass down to the next generation one day). Target Promising review:"I absolutely love my new recipe journal! It has quickly become my go-to kitchen companion for planning and organizing my meals. The layout is perfect for recording all of my favorite recipes, complete with space for ingredients, directions, and even notes on how to tweak and improve each dish. Not only is the journal functional, but it is also beautifully designed. The sleek, modern cover and high-quality paper make it a joy to use and display in my kitchen. I appreciate that it is durable and built to last, so I can continue to add to my collection of recipes for years to come. Overall, this recipe journal has exceeded my expectations in every way. It has helped me become more organized in the kitchen and inspired me to try new recipes and get creative with my cooking. I would highly recommend this journal to anyone who loves to cook and wants to keep their recipes organized in one convenient place." — Megan Ray 16. A witty graphic T-shirt for your pun-loving the ~avo~ to your ~cado~...they complete you. 🥑 ❤️ 17. A jigsaw puzzle that combines your S.O.'s love for plants with their love for beautiful puzzles. The finished product will even teach them some fun and interesting facts about different houseplant varieties. 18. A smart pet camera with a built-in treat dispenser because you know there's nothing that would make them happier than being able to monitor, talk to, and ~treat~ their fur baby from afar. Target Promising review:"I got this for my two dogs, Luna and Nola, and it's been a game-changer! Between work and everything else, I wanted something that lets me check in on them while I'm away. The video quality is great — I can see them clearly, and it helps me feel more connected to them, even when I'm not home. The treat dispenser has become their favorite part! They actually run to the camera when they hear the sound, which always makes me laugh. It's been super easy to set up and use, and for the price, I'm really happy with the value. If you're a pet parent who's looking for peace of mind, I'd definitely recommend this!" — cathy 19. A soy blend candle since your darling bookworm is "always in their bookish era." According to reviewers, the green tea and bamboo fragrance smells oh-so-lovely. And a little Pro Tip: pair this with the next novel on their TBR list for an even better gift. Target Promising review: " I wanted this for my book shelf. I didn't want to burn it, just use it as decor. But it smells so good I had to buy another for my shelf. I have bought three this week. I love this candle. You can smell it from the next room which is great for a single wick, especially at this low price. 10/10 I highly recommend." — Melliace 20. A weighted silk eye mask set to help them get the luxurious night's sleep they deserve. If the lavender-scented fabric isn't enough to lure them to dreamland, they can add the cooling gel insert for even deeper relaxation. Target 21. A Winky Lux lipstick so stunning it'll leave your Valentine speechless. Not only does it have a real chrysanthemum flower inside, but the formula uses pH-matching technology to coat lips in the perfect pink if you're lucky, you just might get a little kiss or two from their pretty pink lips. 💋 Target 22. A Lifestraw — basically a straw with a built-in purifying water filter, which is super handy for anyone who loves to adventure and/or travel to destinations where there might not always be clean water. Target Note: If you're immunocompromised, be sure to read all the package instructions to make sure it's safe for you. Price: $19.99 23. A red rose throw pillow so every time they snuggle up on the couch they'll be reminded of your love. And last I checked, they can't take a nap with real roses, so this just might be a superior alternative (but you be the judge). Target Promising review:"It is so soft and so cute. It's the perfect size for a throw pillow and you can tell it's good quality. Do wish it was cheaper but still got it because it is easily my favorite throw pillow." — Jamie 24. A neck and shoulder massage wrap because you partner is always in need of an upper body massage — and with this, they can have one whenever they want (even when your hands are too tired to do the job). All they have to do is drape this over their shoulders, sit back, and reeee-lax. 😌
