The journey back to Hawkins and into the Upside Down marks an exciting return for fans. This final season ramps up the drama with the Hawkins crew facing off against Vecna in autumn 1987. Viewers are gearing up for intense battles against a darker, more lethal force than ever before.
Fans flooded social media right after the four-episode drop, calling it "incredible" and "epic," especially episode four. Many shared frustration over the cliffhangers, with one saying, "Episode four was EPIC. How am I supposed to just wait for the rest?". Another lamented, "How are the Duffer brothers going to reveal this holy grail and leave us high and dry?" as they await the next batch in a month.
On Reddit, users highlighted Will Byers' growth as a standout, noting his new powers and reverse Vecna twist after seasons of sidelining. One commenter raved, "If the rest of the volumes match the level of this one, this season might arguably be the best". The pacing kept everyone on edge, with flawless storylines and peak character performances.
Critics echoed the excitement, with The Standard praising it as "classic 80s adventure fare... kids outsmarting adults, lashings of humour and a surprising amount of heart". Empire noted the intact dark humor, whimsy, and resilience. However, Variety pointed out struggles with character maturation, while Slate critiqued the stagnant growth and sealed-off world.
The Independent's review called it a victim of endless human-extraterrestrial fights, with plot delays in episodes ranging from 57 to 86 minutes. Still, some relished the potential for a thrilling end, urging more of this luxurious run.
"Stranger Things feels noticeably tense throughout volume one. It's a tension that never dips, deliciously creeping up to a Running Up That Hill-level of anguish."
Author's Summary: This first volume of Stranger Things Season 5 delivers edge-of-your-seat tension, standout character arcs like Will's empowerment, and epic battles, though some note maturation issues—leaving fans eagerly awaiting the cliffhanger resolution in a month (148 characters).