With its engaging combination of 1980s nostalgia, charming cast of teen protagonists, and chilling story, the Netflix supernatural drama Stranger Things has become a pop culture phenomenon.

The creators of the series, siblings Matt and Ross Duffer — professionally known as The Duffer Brothers — are cinephiles who have been making movies since their youth.

Several years ago they wrote the screenplay for the horror short film Road To Moloch directed by Robert Glickert (who also directed the high-octane sci-fi web series DR0NE).

The short tells the hair-raising saga of a squad of United States marines on a search-and-rescue mission to find three members of their unit gone missing deep within the Iraqi desert.

The soldiers’ quest leads to a secluded cave in the mountains. There, they discover an ancient evil has been awakened.

Of course all hell breaks loose.

Road To Moloch is clear and early evidence of The Duffer Brothers’ aptitude for telling gripping, highly-stylized speculative narratives laced with tension, kinetic energy and pacing.

Here is the short film in its entirety:

Make sure to add this gem to your playlist of bone-chilling horror films perfect for Halloween viewing.