We’ve Finally Figured Out the Stranger Things Spinoff’s New Monster

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It was always likely Netflix would expand the world of Stranger Things, and they’ve done just that with the new animated series, Tales From ’85. Think of it as a bonus season, filling in the story between seasons with a new adventure for the Hawkins kids. According to showrunner Eric Robles, they’ve found a clever way to continue the story and introduce even more creatures to the Stranger Things universe.

The new monsters in Stranger Things look genuinely scary. The initial trailer showed four different monster designs, and recent action figures suggest there could be even more. However, despite all these variations, it seems like they might all be part of one larger creature. If so, Stranger Things: Tales From ’85 isn’t about fighting multiple monsters – the kids are facing a single, complex enemy.

All the Stranger Things: Tales From ’85 Monsters Have One Thing In Common

The trailer for Stranger Things: Tales From ’85 reveals four different monsters. First, there are small, insect-like creatures resembling scorpions, thriving near the abandoned Hawkins Lab. Second, a vine-covered, pumpkin-like monster appears – and it’s part of a larger group called the “Gourd Horde.” We also see a large, shadowy figure in a hallway, and finally, a huge monster that looks like a Venus flytrap.

The Stranger Things toy collection now includes a unique figure called the “Vine Dog.” It’s a larger version of the Demo-Dog, appearing to be a mix of plantlife and monster. This figure is significantly bigger than other Demo-Dogs – the toy can actually be crushed to reveal a miniature Mike Wheeler figure hidden inside its mouth. While inspired by a moment from the show, the inclusion of Mike demonstrates that this monster is designed to be much larger in scale.

If you’ve been watching closely, you’ll notice vines appear with all of these creatures. They’ve been a consistent part of the Stranger Things universe ever since we first saw the Upside Down in Season 1. Interestingly, the Abyss didn’t have any vines, which suggests they actually grow in the Upside Down itself. It now seems the vines are the real danger.

People first thought the monster in Tales From ’85 might be inspired by a creature called a “Vine Blight” from Dungeons & Dragons. Vine Blights corrupt plants, turning them into monstrous, overgrown forms that can destroy entire forests. However, the Vine Blight doesn’t quite fit the characteristics of the monster, which appears to be more of a vine-like dog. While the show could still include some elements of the Vine Blight, it seems improbable that it’s the main inspiration.

We Think We Know What the Tales From ’85 Monster REALLY Is

What exactly is the monster in Tales From ’85 if it’s not a Vine Blight? Given that Stranger Things consistently draws inspiration from Dungeons & Dragons, and the new series aims to feel connected, it makes sense to look to D&D for answers. A likely candidate is a “Bodytaker Plant,” a frightening plant from the game that perfectly embodies an invasive species. It establishes itself in an area and quickly overwhelms everything around it, replacing existing life with its own offspring.

The Bodytaker Plant is a massive organism with a central core and a network of winding vines. Its roots are incredibly widespread and can regrow from even a small fragment, making it nearly impossible to eradicate. It reproduces by capturing other creatures, dissolving them with acid, and then reforming them into twisted copies controlled by the plant’s central consciousness. These copies, called “podlings,” spread out to take over local environments and governments, helping the Bodytaker Plant expand its influence.

These strange creatures likely explain the diversity we’re observing. They could all be variations of the same being – plants and animals that have been integrated into the Bodytaker Plant’s collective consciousness. Even the Vine Dog might be a recreated version of a creature the plant has already killed, a terrifying copy. This would neatly explain all the evidence we’ve gathered so far.

As a huge fan of Stranger Things, I’ve been really thinking about the vines in the Upside Down, and a fascinating theory has emerged. Could the source of those vines actually be this ‘Bodytaker Plant’? It’s a compelling idea – maybe Vecna and the Mind Flayer didn’t create the vines, but instead just incorporated the plant into their collective consciousness. And with the gate to the Upside Down being closed in Season 2, it makes sense that the plant is now trying to take over again, reclaiming its territory. That would finally explain what Robles was hinting at when he mentioned finding some ‘loopholes’ he could use – he’s probably figured out the plant is the key!

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2026-03-16 22:42