Stranger Things Season 5 Review – A Grand, Nostalgic, and Thrilling Beginning to the End

When a show becomes a global phenomenon the way Stranger Things has, the arrival of its final season is more than an entertainment event – it feels like a cultural checkpoint. For me, the release of Stranger Things Season 5 carried the weight of nearly a decade of anticipation, emotional investment, and pure cinematic excitement. I had barely rolled out of bed – the gunk still in my eyes, the morning still not fully begun – when I settled into my still-warm chair to watch the season’s opening four episodes. And the moment I finished, I felt like my seat wasn’t the only thing radiating heat; my mind was buzzing with thoughts, reactions, and questions. Yes, brother – I had a blast.

Netflix’s decision to divide this final season into multiple parts has been a divisive choice among fans. They took what started as a two-volume release format and stretched it to three for the grand finale. That means, for now, we only have four episodes – just a taste of what’s coming. I’ll be honest: I’m not the biggest fan of this fragmentation. After all, Netflix itself conditioned us to binge-watch entire seasons in one go. But despite that, these episodes give such an electrifying, carefully structured beginning that I couldn’t resist being pulled deep back into Hawkins. The journey, the setup, the mysteries, the breadcrumbs of payoff sprinkled across episode four – they hit me hard. And now, all I feel is the impatient itch for more.

A Return to 1983 – And a Reminder of How Far We’ve Come

Like many fans, I walked into Season 5 remembering the major story milestones but forgetting dozens of tiny details. Thankfully, the season kicks off with an efficient recap – clean, crisp, and emotionally loaded. But it’s the opening scene of episode one that truly struck me. The moment they cut back to 12 November 1983, the day Will Byers first went missing, I felt a rush of nostalgia so intense it felt like a time warp. They rebuilt scenes from season one with such precision that I actually paused for a moment wondering, “Wait, did they reuse old footage?” Whether they de-aged Noah Schnapp or hired another actor, I genuinely couldn’t tell – it was that flawless.

But then, almost immediately, the show hits us with bizarre new imagery. A grotesque-looking figure standing with his tentacles inside Will’s mouth – something deeply uncomfortable, deeply strange, and undeniably memorable. My first reaction was pure shock. “Vecna… what are you doing, brother?” It’s unsettling, it’s dark, and it’s exactly the kind of weirdness that makes Stranger Things what it is.

This opening prologue gives the season the feel of a true finale. For the first time, it felt like all the scattered narrative threads from previous seasons – whether strong or slightly shaky – were being pulled together into one unified image. Even if the creators didn’t plan all of this from the very beginning (and I doubt they did), the way they are retrofitting the mythology is incredibly satisfying.

Four Years Later – The Kids Aren’t Kids Anymore

We now meet the main group in November 1987 – four full years have passed since the boys were small, nervous, wide-eyed kids cycling through Hawkins with flashlights and walkie-talkies. And while the show’s timeline says “four years,” real-world time says otherwise. Let’s be honest: these “kids” have had mustaches and beards shaved off for filming. They’ve grown up. The show acknowledges it through writing too, embracing their teenage – actually, cocky teenager – phase.

Take Dustin, for example. When he tells Steve something along the lines of, “I can’t always solve your problems,” I felt my blood boil. Talking like that to Steve? His brother-like father figure? Their dynamic this season resembles a bickering couple – always fighting, always irritated, always attached even when pretending not to be.

The other boys aren’t any less chaotic. There’s a hilariously tiny line – “the only thing I hate more than crying babies…” – that perfectly captures how their personalities have evolved. They’re no longer innocent; they’re hormonal, edgy, and unpredictable. And within that teenage chaos, the writers cleverly plant hints about deeper narrative consequences.

Steve vs Jonathan – A Rivalry Reignited, A Fate Foreshadowed

One of the most unexpected pleasures of these opening episodes is the small, subtle return of the Steve – Jonathan rivalry. The pair share moments – some humorous, some serious – and it reminded me of how far they’ve come since being rivals for Nancy’s affection. But as they climbed those stairs together, something clicked in my mind.

The writing started hinting at possible sacrifices. It felt like the show might be setting up the death of one of them. And then Jonathan’s ring moment happened. Immediately, I felt the fielding was set. The internet may be prepared to wage war if Steve Harrington dies, but my gut tells me one of these two is not making it out alive.

This is not a spoiler – just an instinct. But Stranger Things rarely shows symbolic scenes without purpose, and the emotional weight in these interactions felt deliberate.

Hawkins Under Military Control – And the Upside Down Gets a Headquarters

Season 5 progresses into a darker, more militaristic phase. The U.S. military has completely taken over Hawkins. They’ve even built a base inside the Upside Down. They’re conducting operations there – dangerous, morally questionable things – and we only get to understand the full gravity of it in episode four. I won’t spoil it, but the final revelation adds a level of urgency the show hasn’t attempted before.

Meanwhile, our beloved characters are scattered across the town, moving like fugitives. They communicate through coded messages, constantly hiding, constantly plotting to find Vecna. Everyone believed Vecna was dead – but we know better. He’s hiding. Growing. Preparing.

These scattered reintroductions – bringing back each character one by one – hit me with immense nostalgia. For someone who has followed the show from the beginning, this felt like a reunion tour mixed with a countdown timer.

And the moment Erica appears – finally, after two and a half episodes – I genuinely felt joy. If you’ve ever heard Erica’s Hindi dub line that has gone viral, you know exactly why she is such a fan-favourite presence. But in contrast, what happens with Mike’s mom? Heartbreaking. Truly a punch to the chest.

A Season of Horror Vibes, Jump Scares, and 80s Aesthetics

Although Stranger Things has never marketed itself as a pure horror series, Season 5 leans closer to horror than it ever has. Episode three, for example, contains a jump scare involving Nancy entering a car – an ordinary moment turned into a heart-stopper. The VFX and imagery this season are shockingly good. Despite the heavy CGI – monsters, portals, soldiers, psychic attacks – it all holds up visually. And now it makes sense why the season took years to complete.

A popular character reappears in episode three (no spoilers), and although the scene feels visually odd, the emotional impact is strong.

The real beauty, however, lies in the 80s aesthetics. The house exteriors, warm interiors, muted color palettes, soft lighting, the outfits – everything exudes that tender, nostalgic charm. Watching these scenes, I couldn’t help thinking, “Man, what a time that was. Why don’t we get this vibe today?”

Violence, Gore, and Linda Hamilton – Season 5 Isn’t Holding Back

The level of violence this season surprised me. Episode four, especially, delivers a shocking amount of bloodshed. There’s a webshot where a soldier gets three separate things shoved inside – two through the eyes, one through the mouth. It’s brutal, unexpected, and definitely not PG-13.

Another notable addition is a new military character – a stern, intimidating major general. When she first appeared, I paused. “Wait, I’ve seen this woman before.” And then it clicked – Linda Hamilton. Sarah Connor from Terminator 1 and Terminator 2. Bringing her into a story about alternate dimensions and monstrous threats feels like an inspired casting choice.

I kept hoping the show would give her iconic, badass moments worthy of her legacy. Episode four builds her arc intriguingly, hinting at past secrets and emotional complexities. At one point, I genuinely thought she was about to drop a major character-relation twist – like “I’m your mother” or something dramatic. Thankfully, that’s not what happens, but the subtle clues about her motives suggest she has a hidden emotional stake in this war.

Connecting Every Past Season – Including the Not-So-Great Parts

One thing I deeply admire about these episodes is how confidently they tie every loose thread. Even elements from Season 2 – like the storyline involving Eleven’s “sisters” – have been reintroduced. While not everyone loved that arc, the creators seem determined to integrate it meaningfully into the final storyline. It’s too early to judge how well they’ll execute it, but the attempt feels thoughtful.

Across all four episodes, the writing maintains a delicate balance. With such a large cast, it’s incredibly easy to neglect characters. But Season 5 does a commendable job ensuring each character contributes something. Everyone is doing something meaningful, even if small. No one feels abandoned.

And yes – Steve is still safe. For now.

There’s even a humorous nod to Mission: Impossible. But the moment the reference came up, I thought, “1987? Aren’t you ten years too early?” The show knows exactly how to wink at pop culture without breaking chronology – well, mostly.

The end of episode four offers a mini-climax, a battle that feels enormous and deeply emotional. Vecna makes one decision that confused me slightly, but the payoff afterward wiped away my doubts. When the screen cut to black, all I felt was hunger – an almost physical need for the rest of the season.

Will Byers Finally Gets His Moment

From the start of the show, I’ve always felt Noah Schnapp never got his full due. Despite Will being central to the original mystery, he was often physically absent or narratively sidelined in later seasons. It’s not his fault – the story simply didn’t give him much room to shine.

But in Season 5, things change.

For the first time, I felt Will Byers stepping into his emotional and narrative power. His scenes are intense, impactful, and heartfelt. He delivers moments that stay with you long after the episode ends. Watching him finally step into the spotlight felt incredibly satisfying.

Final Thoughts – A Strong, Nostalgic, Powerful Beginning

As far as first halves – or, in this case, first quarters – of a final season go, Stranger Things Season 5 is astonishingly strong. The setup is rich. The story threads are finally connecting. The tension is rising. The nostalgia is overwhelming in the best way. And the character dynamics feel heavy with future consequences.

All I want – desperately, sincerely – is for them to land the ending. If they do, this season could truly go down as one of television’s best finales.

Rating: 4.5/5

A thrilling, emotional, beautifully crafted beginning that promises an unforgettable conclusion.