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Stranger Things Subtitle Team Speaks Up About Trolling The Fans Through The Graphic Descriptions


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Credit: Netflix

As noticed by a lot of the viewers of Stranger Things Season 4, the descriptions of the scenes are sometimes, too graphic, that they described “tentacles undulating moistly” or “squelching wetly” and it quickly became fan-favorites. Well, the subtitle team took responsibility for that and they speak up, admitting that they were trolling the fans with it, but there's a deeper reason why they did it.

Stranger Things Subtitle Team Speaks Up About Trolling The Fans Through The Graphic Descriptions
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Credit: Netflix
Stranger Things Subtitle Team Speaks Up About Trolling The Fans Through The Graphic Descriptions

Stranger Things Season 4 easily slipped to the top of the charts as it returned after years of waiting and this time, it is more graphic that even the subtitles joined the tide of having graphic descriptions like “eldritch gurgling,” “wet footsteps squelch,” or “emotional synth music playing.” You’d read what you see, literally.

The subtitles team admit to trolling the fans on some of the lines but mainly, it is for a better purpose. Jeff T., the subtitle author of Stranger Things, shared to Vulture, "Honestly, '[tentacles undulating moistly]' I've seen a lot. I will admit I was trolling a little bit with that."

Jeff T. added, "Also, in the past year or two, I've been watching ASMR streams to figure out which words elicit that kind of response in people, so I'll grab them and put them in my word bank. 'Moistly' pops up a lot in those ASMR streams."

READ MORE: Who Lives, Who Dies in Stranger Things Season 4 Volume 2?

In the same interview, subtitle quality assurance editor Karli Witkowska reveals a deeper reason why the descriptions are like that, "It's a word where I can name six or seven of my friends who don't like it. It is supposed to be an uncomfortable situation, and that's why it was used in the show. What I've noticed quite a lot online are people who don't really understand the subtitles are for the deaf and hard-of-hearing."

Witkowska explained, "I've seen a lot of, 'Why are the subtitles so overly descriptive? We don't need these.' And I know you don't, but you weren't the main audience for subtitles from the start."

Witkowska further expound, "Subtitling for the deaf and hard-of-hearing is first and foremost an accessibility feature. That’s why it’s there, but to see it be opened to a new audience is unbelievable."

While it was funny to some, the subtitles are kind of “what you see is what you get,” and the Stranger Things team considered a lot of factors why they introduced the moist subtitles – it is for the deaf and hard-of-hearing, for them to fully appreciate the show.

Stranger Things Season 4 released in two volumes with nine episodes in total. The first volume has seven episodes while the second has two. It takes the Hawkins gang into a new adventure as they face a new villain, Vecna, who torments their town in a sinister way.

Stranger Things Season 4 Volumes 1 and 2 are now streaming on Netflix.

For more articles like this, take a look at our Stranger Things, Netflix, and Geek Culture pages.