Netflix’s Next Stranger Things Release Will Repeat Tales From ’85’s Biggest Problem

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Even though Stranger Things ended with its fifth season on New Year’s Eve, Netflix is already expanding the story with spin-offs. The latest addition, the animated series Stranger Things: Tales From ’85, premiered on April 23rd. This new show revisits the kids from the original series—voiced by a different cast—and takes place between seasons 2 and 3.

Many viewers enjoyed the return of these popular characters and were happy with the latest addition to the series. However, a lot of fans were disappointed, often because of the highly debated ending, especially what happened to Eleven. Now, Netflix faces a similar issue with the upcoming release of Stranger Things.

The First Shadow Play Is Coming To Netflix

As a huge Stranger Things fan, I was so excited to see Stranger Things: The First Shadow on Broadway starting in March 2025! It really felt essential going into season 5 because the play dives deep into the origins of Henry Creel, who becomes Vecna. Honestly, a lot of us have been hoping for a way to watch it online for ages, especially before the final season came out, so we could get the full picture.

Despite initial negative reactions to earlier plans, Netflix is planning to release a complete recording of the play on its streaming service, potentially later this year. This is great news, especially with rumors that Jamie Campbell Bower, who played Henry, will make a guest appearance as an older version of the character. However, it also suggests that The First Shadow might face similar problems to those experienced with Tales From ’85.

Like Tales From ’85, This Story Is Limited By The Stranger Things Finale

While Tales From ’85 was enjoyable and featured beloved characters, the show suffered from a major flaw: the ending of Stranger Things undermined the entire story. All the character growth, particularly Eleven’s journey toward independence and self-reliance throughout Tales From ’85, felt meaningless knowing her eventual fate – either death or permanent separation from those she cares about.

It seems The First Shadow will face a similar issue as Stranger Things. At the end of Stranger Things, Henry claims he wasn’t controlled by the Mind Flayer, but willingly joined it – and then he dies. This will likely make the detailed and sympathetic look at Henry’s upbringing and early experiences with the Mind Flayer in The First Shadow feel unnecessary and even confusing.

The First Shadow Will Be A Reminder Of What Henry Creel Could Have Been

Many fans were disappointed with how the character of Henry Creel was handled in the final season of Stranger Things, particularly those who also saw the stage play. The play establishes Henry as a victim controlled by the Mind Flayer, but the show’s finale ignores this and portrays him differently.

As a big fan of the show, seeing Netflix release The First Shadow just hit me with how much potential Henry’s storyline had. It wasn’t about needing him to become a ‘good guy’ at the end, but honestly, his character deserved a more complex and thoughtful arc than what we ultimately got. It felt like a missed opportunity, and this release really highlights that.

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2026-05-05 21:41