The Further
Skittles’ Bite-Size Horror Short Takes an Elevator to Hell!
Earlier this week, we discovered that Mars had begun airing an ad for M&M’s that was actually a short horror film in disguise. Dubbed “bite-size horror”, the short led us to FOX.com, which also led me to believe there would be several more films rolling out through Halloween. I’ve exhausted my resources trying to find out more (like who directed them), and even noticed the first short was pulled from YouTube. While searching for an alternate embed, I stumbled across another short, one that promotes Skittles and takes an elevator trip down to hell. These two-minute films are incredibly well-made and scary, and I would love to know who is responsible for making them. Until then, let’s enjoy the viral rollout as we keep our eyes peeled for more!
Update! We’ve learned that the below short, “Floor 9.5”, was directed by Toby Meakins (Breathe, Lot 254). “Krypton” star and BAFTA winner Georgina Campbell plays the lead. James Wilkinson (Double Date) produced.
Guys… look at this awesome #BiteSizezhorror candy (@skittles) commercial
pic.twitter.com/O5qNhalj1N— LoLa (@lolalissaa) October 12, 2017
A prequel to the television series that came to an end last year on Netflix, the stage play Stranger Things: The First Shadow is also now coming to an end on Broadway and in London.
Deadline reports, “Stranger Things: The First Shadow will complete its run at London’s Phoenix Theatre on December 27, 2026, and at Broadway’s Marquis Theatre on January 3, 2027.”
“The production, which cost more than an estimated $20 million to stage on Broadway, has not recouped its capitalization,” Deadline notes in their report this afternoon.
“Stranger Things” creators Matt and Ross Duffer said in a statement, “When the legendary Stephen Daldry first came to us with the idea of making a Stranger Things play, we were stunned — both by the fact that Stephen wanted to do this, and that he believed it could work. And boy, did it work.”
“We remain awed by what Stephen, Kate Trefry, Justin Martin, and all the brilliant behind-the-scenes wizards were able to pull off: cinematic theater unlike anything else out there,” the statement continues. “Their incredible work drew audiences from all over — a majority of whom had never even been to a Broadway show before. We’d also like to give a standing ovation to the incredibly gifted actors who stepped into these roles — including the Tony-nominated Louis McCartney — and to the fans, who made each and every performance so memorable.”
Produced by Netflix and Sonia Friedman Productions, Stranger Things: The First Shadow is directed by Stephen Daldry, co-directed by Justin Martin, and written by Kate Trefry.
The stage play explores the origin story of Henry Creel/Vecna. In 1959 Hawkins, Indiana, the Creel family seeks a fresh start, especially their teenage son Henry, who is eager to escape his troubled past. Initially, things go well — he finds friendship and joins the school play.
But when a wave of shocking crimes strikes the town, Henry is forced to confront a terrifying truth: is there something inside him that connects him to the horrors unfolding around him?
As this thrilling mystery races forward, shadows of the past are unleashed, and the town of Hawkins faces the ultimate question: can the power of friendship outshine the darkness within?
The show opened on the West End in 2023 before beginning its Broadway run in April 2025.