Caution: spoilers for previous seasons of Stranger Things below.
A new teaser confirming the fourth season of the Netflix Original series Stranger Things has been released. There isn’t much to it but the announcement cryptically teasers “WE’RE NOT IN HAWKINS ANYMORE“.
There have been numerous theories on what this could mean. At the end of Season 3, the Byers family left Hawkins behind to start a new life.
While there’s no proof to where they are, there are clues leading to the possibilities of Illinois or Maine.
Calling the phone number of Murray Bauman’s (Brett Gelman) that Hopper (David Harbour) gives away in the show leads to an interesting message:
“And if this is Joyce, Joyce, thank you for calling. I’ve been trying to reach you. I have an update. It’s about — well, it’s probably best if we speak in person, it’s not good or bad but it’s something.”
If Murray and Joyce (Winona Rider) are working to find Hopper then it leads to the possibility she’s living in Illinois (as this is where Murray lives). However, a moment from season 2 hints to them moving to a location familiar to Horror fans.
Before his death, Bob (Sean Astin) and Joyce were planning on moving to Maine. In his memory, there’s a chance that’s where Joyce moved her kids, along with Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown).
Maine provides an interesting connection since it’s where Stephen King bases his novels, including IT.
Finn Wolfhard who plays Mike Wheeler in the series also plays Richie Tozer in the recent version of Stephen King’s IT.
Stranger Things has prided itself on being embedded in Pop Culture. What better way for them to do that in Season 4 than to move their location to the hometown of the famous writer?
There is also a third suggestion, and it has nothing to do with the Byers but rather another character.
At the end of Season 3, we sadly said goodbye to fan-favorite Hopper. Sacrificing himself to save Joyce and the town of Hawkins, Hopper is evaporated, or at least that’s what we believe.
In a surprise post-credit scene at the end of the season, two Russian soldiers are looking for a subject to feed to a Demogorgon. As one goes to open a door, the other says “No. Not the American.”
With Hopper’s death happening off-screen there’s a precedent for him surviving. Therefore, the American in the prison could end up being Hopper.
If it is him then it means the team might be moving to Russia to bring him back. It also makes sense considering Season 3 was about the Russian Government trying to use the Upside Down against America.
There’s also the possibility the American isn’t Hopper and is another character such as Billy (Dacre Montgomery) or Barbara (Shannon Purser).
Even if the location does move, there is little reason as to why Hawkins will be gone forever. Most of the characters still live there but it seems the overarching story will take place elsewhere.
While Hawkins is a staple in the Stranger Things lore, it’s the group of misfits coming together that provides the heart of the series.
Stranger Things season 4 eyes a 2020 release on Netflix.
