Stranger Things: 15 Best Easter Eggs (So Far)
13. The Blob
Though the physical Mind Flayer (and all of its human remains-assembled creations) from Stranger Things 3 is obviously a nod to John Carpenter's 1982 thriller The Thing, the smaller version of the creature that appeared in the hospital took its cues from a different horror film.
When the monster found itself unable to get its slimy tentacles on Nancy, it melted into a more liquefied form so that it could slide itself under the door. This was undoubtedly a reference to the 1958 film The Blob, or more specifically, the gorier 1988 remake.
Like many scenes in that film, seeing the creature trap Nancy in the room as it approached her in all its slimy glory made for an incredibly uncomfortable watch, allowing the Duffers to succeed in their mission to make us feel that way.