Blurring the line between reality and fiction, the streamer has brought the #BalikKeTerbalik experience beyond the confines of the screen to the heart of Kuala Lumpur, where the dark forces within the Upside Down – the terrifying alternate dimension beneath the series’ town of Hawkins – threatens to take over KL Tower and Kwai Chai Hong.
Over the weekend, KL Tower served as a canvas for the Upside Down upon sundown with a projection show teasing scenes from seasons 3 and 4, before the portal to the alt-dimension known as the Rift cracked open and unleashed monstrosities that had been lying in wait.
There were also photo opportunities aplenty on the lawn. At the foot of the Tower, a “Stranger Things 4” sign greeted fans with vibrant neon lights before they continued past the tower to a recreation of the mysterious Creel House, complete with true-to-series props and the house’s ominous grandfather clock.
At the end of their sojourn through Creel House, they also came face to face with Vecna, the new big bad of season 4, alongside the Mind Flayer and Demogorgon.
The power of the Upside Down has also spread to a heritage area located just a few km away, starting with a mural installation at Kwai Chai Hong on Lorong Panggung.
Created by Melaka-born artist Amir Andhar, the mural is sectioned into different “rooms” inspired by key moments from the past seasons.
The journey continued through the heritage alley, where the area’s usual lighting has been replaced by the Byers’ iconic alphabet Christmas lights, leading fans and curious visitors over the bridge to another Rift opening in a deep corner of the laneway.
Worldwide phenomenon
Similar events have been held to commemorate the new season of the smash hit series at 14 other landmarks across the globe, involving the United States, United Kingdom, Japan, Australia, Poland, Sweden, India, Colombia, Germany, Italy, Saudi Arabia, and Spain.
Last Thursday in Milan, a portal opened on the facade of the historic Palazzo Carminati; while at Australia’s Bondi Beach, a mysterious and forbidding gateway to an alternate dimension opened up on the golden sands the next day.
The large gaping portal on Sydney’s famous beach seemingly appeared overnight, complete with deep vines and a glowing red core, while “scientists” in hazmat suits patrolled the area alongside lifeguards who set up a safe perimeter around the foreboding scene.
Experience the ‘Stranger Things’ takeover yourself at Kwai Chai Hong until June 12, 9am-12am daily.
Kwai Chai Hong
Lorong Panggung, City Centre,
50000 Kuala Lumpur
Part one of ‘Stranger Things’, season 4 is now streaming on Netflix.