Before the global phenomenon of 'Stranger Things' captivated audiences, the Duffer Brothers had a chilling secret hidden in their past. A cannibalistic tale, a short film titled 'Eater', was their creation nearly two decades ago! But here's the twist: this gruesome story isn't just a figment of their imagination.
In the 'Stranger Things' finale, Jonathan Byers, played by Charlie Heaton, reveals his ambition to create an 'anti-capitalist cannibal movie' called 'The Consumer'. Little did fans know, this was a subtle nod to the Duffer Brothers' own cannibalistic venture from their early days. While 'The Consumer' remains a fictional work within the show, the brothers had already brought a similar concept to life.
'Eater', a short horror film, was co-directed by Matt and Ross Duffer during their time at Dodge College in California. Inspired by Peter Crowther's short story of the same name, the 18-minute film follows a rookie cop, Emanuel Borria, on a tense night shift at a police station, where a cannibalistic prisoner is on the loose. Talk about a nerve-wracking first day on the job!
What makes this discovery even more intriguing is that Emanuel Borria, the star of 'Eater', returned to work with the Duffer Brothers in 'Stranger Things 5', playing Sergeant Luis Ramirez. It's almost like the brothers were paying homage to their roots.
And this isn't the only connection. Just a year after the Duffers' 'Eater', Stuart Gordon adapted Crowther's short story for an episode of the horror anthology 'Fear Itself' on NBC, a spiritual successor to 'Masters of Horror'.
So, there you have it—a hidden gem in the Duffer Brothers' filmography that not only showcases their early talent but also hints at the interconnectedness of their creative universe. And who knows, maybe 'The Consumer' will become a reality one day, leaving us all wondering: Is art imitating life, or is life imitating art?
