When Stranger Things first came out, it perfectly captured the feel of the 1980s with a thrilling sci-fi horror story. This quickly made the show incredibly popular, spreading by word of mouth and helping Netflix become a major global entertainment company. The show’s mix of adventurous storytelling reminiscent of films like those by Steven Spielberg, scary elements inspired by Stephen King, and a charming young cast really captured the public’s attention, turning it into a cultural phenomenon. It’s easy to see why the series resonated with a whole generation, launching the young actors to fame and raising the bar for original shows on streaming services with its high production quality and bold storytelling.
After years of fighting monsters and navigating the ups and downs of high school, the story of the kids in Hawkins is nearing its conclusion. The fifth and final season of Stranger Things is highly anticipated and promises to wrap up the show’s epic storyline. Following a break since Season 4 became a massive hit in 2022, the final season will be released in three parts. The first set of episodes arrives on November 26th, the second on Christmas Day, and the series will conclude with a final premiere on New Year’s Eve. Because it’s been a while and Season 4 had so many twists, it’s a good idea to remember the important plot points before the final showdown begins.
1) Vecna Wants to Destroy the World
Season four of Stranger Things revealed that all the dangers the kids in Hawkins have battled were actually planned by a single villain. Vecna, who was once Henry Creel (played by Jamie Campbell Bower), is the true power behind the Upside Down. After being sent to that dark dimension by Eleven, he discovered a way to control its particles and created the Mind Flayer – essentially, his own monstrous army led by a powerful general. Vecna isn’t just seeking revenge on Eleven; he wants to completely destroy a world he believes is flawed and cruel. He’s been killing traumatized teens in Hawkins, and each death opens a new gateway to the Upside Down. His ultimate plan is to open four gateways, break down the barrier between worlds, and remake everything in his terrifying vision.
2) Vecna Was Severely Injured
In the climactic battle of Season 4, the Hawkins group worked together to take down Vecna. They used a two-part plan: Max Mayfield lured Vecna into a mental trap while Nancy, Steve, and Robin attacked his physical form in the Upside Down, setting him ablaze with Molotov cocktails and later blasting him with a shotgun. Simultaneously, Eleven fought Vecna in a psychic battle, and with Mike’s support, she managed to defeat him and free Max from his control. Though severely injured and forced to flee, Vecna remains alive, as confirmed by Will Byers, and is likely plotting his return to finish what he started in Hawkins.
3) Max Is in a Coma
Max Mayfield faced a devastating outcome in the series. She courageously volunteered to distract Vecna, intentionally disabling the connection to Kate Bush that usually protected her. Though the plan nearly succeeded, Vecna was able to overwhelm Eleven and inflict terrible injuries on Max, breaking her limbs and blinding her. Her heart stopped beating for a full minute, meaning she technically died. Eleven, heartbroken, used her powers to revive Max, but Max remained in a coma. Doctors confirmed she was brain-dead, and when Eleven searched for her in the void, she couldn’t find any trace of Max’s consciousness, leaving her fate uncertain as a major cliffhanger for the fifth season of Stranger Things.
4) A Massive Rift Tore Hawkins Apart
Vecna needed four people to die to break down the barrier between worlds. Even though Eleven brought Max back to life, Max was technically dead for over a minute, which counted as the final sacrifice Vecna needed. When Max’s heart stopped, the last of the four gates opened, and all four rifts merged over Hawkins. This caused a huge earthquake that split the town apart and tragically killed many people, including basketball player Jason Carver. Two days later, the Upside Down started to merge with Hawkins, with strange spores falling from the sky like snow.
5) The Upside Down Is a Twisted Reflection of Hawkins
Season 4 of Stranger Things finally revealed the truth about the Upside Down. Nancy Wheeler discovered it isn’t a live copy of Hawkins, but rather a frozen moment in time – November 6, 1983, the day Will Byers vanished and Eleven first opened a gate to the other dimension. Before that, in 1979 when Eleven sent Henry Creel there, the Upside Down was just a desolate, stormy place. This means the Upside Down as we see it today formed when Eleven connected psychically with the Demogorgon, causing it to become a warped reflection of Hawkins at that specific moment.
6) Hawkins Still Believes Eddie (and the Hellfire Club) Is Responsible for Vecna’s Murders
Vecna’s horrific killings, leaving victims with severe injuries like broken bones and gouged-out eyes, sparked widespread fear and hysteria in Hawkins. Fueled by the anger of Jason Carver, the townspeople became convinced a demonic cult was responsible. They quickly focused their suspicion on Eddie Munson, the unconventional leader of the Hellfire Club Dungeons & Dragons group, believing him to be the killer. Even though Eddie bravely sacrificed himself in the Upside Down, fighting off a horde of Demobats, the public still doesn’t know he was innocent. To the outside world, Eddie Munson remains wrongly branded as a satanic murderer, and his reputation has never been restored.
7) The Military Is After Eleven
On top of battling a terrifying creature, Eleven is also on the run from the U.S. military. Led by the harsh Lt. Colonel Jack Sullivan, this military group has been pursuing her since Season 4 of Stranger Things. Sullivan wrongly blames Eleven for all the tragic events in Hawkins, seeing her as a dangerous threat that needs to be stopped. His team violently attacked the secret Nina Project, hoping to kill her, which led to Dr. Brenner’s death. Sullivan and his soldiers remain a serious danger, and as things get worse in Hawkins, they’re determined to either capture or kill Eleven, believing she’s a powerful weapon.
As a huge Stranger Things fan, I’m dying to know what secrets are finally going to be revealed in the last season! Seriously, what mystery are you most hyped to see solved? Let’s chat about it – head over to the ComicBook Forum and join the discussion!
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2025-11-24 17:17