From ‘Star Trek’ to ‘Stranger Things,’ What Hive Minds Tell Us About Ourselves

The New York Times•January 7, 2026•entertainment

Key Points:

Hive minds, depicting masses acting with a singular consciousness, have been a recurring theme in science fiction and horror, symbolizing collective control and loss of individuality.
Early examples like "Village of the Damned" show the origins of hive minds, while modern portrayals, such as in Apple TV’s "Pluribus," depict the biological spread of hive consciousness through intimate contact, emphasizing a twisted form of connection.
In "Stranger Things," the antagonist Vecna uses a disturbing, maternal-like method to assimilate victims, creating a psychic link that persists even after physical escape, illustrating the emotional and psychological horror of hive mind control.
These narratives reflect societal fears about conformity, loss of self, and the dark side of communal bonds,