The final season of Stranger Things has arrived on Netflix, delivering a reality-bending, emotion-heavy, and deeply atmospheric experience for fans. The first four episodes of Season 5 premiered on November 26, 2025, followed by the next three on December 25, with the series finale set to release on December 31. This staggered release aims to keep the conversation alive and fans guessing until the very end.
Picking up in the fall of 1987, approximately 18 months after the events of Season 4, Hawkins is now a town under military quarantine. The government is covering up the Vecna-spawned earthquakes and rifts tearing through the town with stories of unexplained phenomena. Our familiar heroes, including Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown), Mike (Finn Wolfhard), Will (Noah Schnapp), and Hopper (David Harbour), are back in Hawkins, operating under the radar to figure out Vecna's next move after Max's (Sadie Sink) near-death experience.
The season begins by revisiting Will's original abduction in season one, emphasizing his importance in the final battle against Vecna. Vecna's plans involve using children, whom he calls "perfect vessels," to reshape the world. Holly Wheeler (Nell Fisher) becomes a target, mirroring Will's initial experience, as Vecna lures her into the Upside Down by posing as her imaginary friend.
Eleven and Hopper find themselves in the Upside Down searching for Holly, only to discover a massive, impenetrable wall. Meanwhile, Dustin (Gaten Matarazzo), Steve (Joe Keery), Nancy (Natalia Dyer), and Jonathan (Charlie Heaton) find themselves facing Demogorgons as they try to help. Max, who is in a coma in Hawkins General, exists simultaneously in Vecna's memories. She appears to Holly within Vecna's mindscape, revealing that she is trapped inside Vecna's memories, a place she calls "Camazotz".
Dr. Kay (Linda Hamilton), is introduced, running a military base in the Upside Down. Eleven and Hopper infiltrate the base and discover that Dr. Kay is holding Kali (Linnea Berthelsen), also known as Eight, prisoner. Kali's powers are seemingly being used to weaken Eleven's abilities, creating a "kryptonite" that inhibits her powers.
Will's connection to Vecna becomes a focal point. In a twist, Will demonstrates newfound powers, telepathically controlling Demogorgons and saving his friends. This newfound ability puts him on par with Eleven and Vecna, setting the stage for a final showdown.
While the season delivers thrilling moments and impressive special effects, some critics note that it relies too heavily on nostalgia and familiar plot devices. The storyline involving Holly, a character with limited presence in previous seasons, feels contrived to some.
Despite some criticisms, the first volume of Stranger Things 5 offers a compelling return to Hawkins and its beloved characters. The stakes are high as the series builds towards a final battle between the Rightside Up and the Upside Down. The blend of horror, science fiction, mystery, and coming-of-age drama remains a hallmark of the series. Fans can anticipate an emotion-heavy and action-packed conclusion to the Stranger Things saga.
