Filmmaker Charlie Kessler has filed suit against the Duffer brothers, claiming that his award-winning 2012 short Montauk provide the inspiration for Stranger Things, and that he’d even pitched the brothers at a 2014 Tribeca Film Festival party.
Creators Ross and Matt Duffer now face a lawsuit claiming Stranger Things is derived from short film Montauk, whose creator claims to have pitched them the project in 2014.
Stranger Things wears many influences on its sleeve, but one in particular may land it in hot water.
It is unclear why Kessler has only now filed suit, given that Stranger Things has made headlines as a breakout hit since its debut in July 2016.