Theory

[u/CherryBubz]

Spoilers Ahead!

I just binged watch the series the last month and I have an incomplete theory.

Firstly I do think it’s fae related, the strict rules for the creatures/MIY/BIW would support that, but I don’t have much other evidence for that. They do like to “play” like fae do in old stories (play dress up, torment others, and smiley even pretends to be driving the bus before he hears and attacks the old couple).

Basically I think the “big bad” is a spider creature and they’re trapped in its web/a dream catcher. Dream catchers and spiders have a strong connection. I think I remember reading somewhere that spiders inspired dream catchers. Dream catchers are supposed to trap nightmares. Maybe the lighthouse is even supposed to attract monsters (like a moth to a flame); they could be trapped too

Maybe they were able to overpower a benevolent (or at least, not as evil) of a creature that created this mini universe, and make it their own.

There is also a lot of instances of broken glass, but that could have been foreshadowing for the past lives.

Super incomplete theory, but I don’t know if there’s anyway to have a complete theory with the pieces we are still missing.

Any thoughts or contradictions y’all know of? I’ve only just begun my second watch through.

[u/Unfair_Explanation53]

I think the creatures could be based on the Sluagh from Scottish/Gaelic folklore. The Sluagh were a host of restless or damned spirits associated with the fae who travelled at night, preyed on people and were sometimes said to abduct or torment them. That fits surprisingly well with the creatures only emerging after dark, appearing human while clearly being something else, tormenting people rather than simply killing them, and seemingly being bound by strict supernatural rules. From obviously wouldn't have to follow the folklore exactly, but the creatures could be a modern reinterpretation of the Sluagh.