When the first season of Stranger Things came out in 2016, it cemented Netflix’s position as a powerful force in Hollywood, proving they could create hugely popular shows exclusively for streaming. Since then, the streaming landscape has become incredibly crowded, with many companies trying to compete with Netflix. Despite all the changes, Stranger Things has remained a hit, consistently drawing in millions of viewers with its mix of 80s nostalgia, scary moments, and relatable characters. However, as the show went on, it became increasingly difficult to manage the large number of characters and the complicated storyline involving alternate dimensions and psychic abilities. While some of these challenges still exist in Stranger Things 5, the first part of the final season shows that the creators, The Duffer Brothers, are committed to resolving unanswered questions and bringing the story to a satisfying end.
Okay, so the first part of Stranger Things 5 – four episodes – jumps ahead almost two years after where Season 4 left off. Things are really tense in Hawkins. Vecna, or Henry Creel as we know him (played by Jamie Campbell Bower), actually succeeded in opening a huge gateway to the Upside Down right in town, and naturally, the military has moved in. He’s badly hurt from the last showdown, so he’s laying low, but everyone in Hawkins is dealing with this new military presence and trying to keep Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) safe. Basically, it’s about how they’re using everything they’ve learned about the Upside Down to finally take Vecna down for good.
The first episode of Stranger Things Season 5 Volume 1 is a standout, brilliantly setting up the final showdown and giving each returning character a moment to shine. While the show’s mysteries are always engaging, it’s the strong emotional connections between the characters—those who survived Vecna—that really keep viewers hooked. Seeing how they’ve adjusted to their new lives and continue to playfully annoy each other is a heartwarming reminder of what makes Stranger Things so special. However, the rest of Volume 1, while still enjoyable, falls into familiar patterns. The story often divides the characters too much, avoids putting them in genuine danger, and features episodes that feel unnecessarily long.
Rating: 3.5/5
| PROS | CONS |
| The first episode delivers one of the series’ strongest openers. | Low narrative stakes due to the refusal to kill the main characters. |
| Essential move toward answering definitive narrative questions. | Pacing suffers from the overly expansive cast and fragmented storylines. |
| Good world-building and mythology exploration. | Several main characters are trapped in repetitive emotional arcs. |
| Great display of deep emotional bonds among the core cast. | Bland, one-dimensional human antagonists that serve as props. |
Stranger Things Is Still Too Afraid to Put Its Characters in Real Danger
Despite being a show packed with monsters and violence, Stranger Things actually hasn’t killed off many major characters. The series often introduces new characters only to eliminate them, creating a sense of danger without actually threatening the core group. We’ve even seen characters like Hopper and Max brought back to life, ensuring the main heroes survive. As the final season gives the villain more powerful abilities to destroy the world, it’s becoming harder to believe the heroes will continue to get lucky. A prime example is a scene in the first part of the final season where many minor characters are killed, while the main cast remains safe.
Beyond simply lowering the dramatic tension, Stranger Things’ tendency to shield its main characters from real danger has led to a much larger cast. This presents a challenge for the Duffer Brothers, who now need to give nearly two dozen characters meaningful things to do, which slows down the story. Their usual approach is to divide each episode into several smaller, loosely connected storylines, each handled by a different group of actors. These groups frequently split up, team up, and separate again throughout the four episodes of Stranger Things 5 Volume 1, often making the show feel drawn out.
The show tries to juggle too many storylines, which means some characters don’t get the attention they deserve, even with a long running time. Several characters feel sidelined; Lucas, for example, mostly supports other characters’ stories. We also see Steve and Jonathan stuck in the same frustrating love triangle with Nancy, and some storylines feel repetitive – like Joyce being overly protective of Will and Hopper struggling to let Eleven be independent. While it’s great to finally see Will explore his sexuality with Robin, after years of hinting at it, the season unfortunately repeats some of the show’s old problems.
Stranger Things 5 Is Still Spectacular, If Flawed
A key strength of Stranger Things has always been its captivating supernatural world, particularly the mysterious Upside Down and the creatures within it. This new season takes that world in exciting new directions, letting the characters explore the parallel dimension like never before. This exploration leads to intriguing discoveries that gradually reveal more about the Upside Down’s origins and the forces controlling Vecna and its inhabitants. While the first part of the season doesn’t offer all the answers, it skillfully sets the stage for a bigger reveal to come.
The final season of Stranger Things is delving deeper into the origins of Vecna’s abilities, which will especially appeal to fans who enjoy the show’s supernatural elements. Although we’ll need to see the rest of the season to fully understand where things are headed, the story is evolving in a compelling way, and it’s becoming clear that Eleven isn’t the only one who can help save Hawkins from disaster.
Despite its strengths, the show continues to have weak villains. While Lt. Colonel Jack Sullivan returns to pursue Eleven, he’s still a flat, poorly developed character – a stereotypical ‘bad guy’ with no depth. The new villain, Dr. Kay, Sullivan’s superior, is equally uninspired. These human antagonists aren’t given much to do, simply existing to create tasks for the characters to complete. The story would be stronger if the military presence remained in the background, rather than attempting to create compelling villains out of them and falling short.
Vecna’s current scheme to end the world feels a lot like the one from Stranger Things 4, using the same kinds of tactics. While the first part of Stranger Things 5 has tried to be secretive, there’s still a chance for Vecna to become a truly frightening villain. However, he doesn’t appear often enough in these early episodes to really leave a strong impact.
Even now, Stranger Things remains a top-tier show for Netflix, making it worthwhile to revisit Hawkins for its final season. Ideally, the last season will tackle the issues that viewers and critics have consistently raised over the years.
The fifth and final season of Stranger Things will be released in two parts. Volume one will be available on November 26th, with volume two arriving on Christmas Day, and the very last episode will premiere on New Year’s Eve.
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2025-11-27 04:12