The highly anticipated final chapter of Stranger Things has arrived on Netflix, plunging viewers back into the perilous world of Hawkins for one last battle. The first volume of season five, consisting of four episodes, is now streaming, with the story set in the autumn of 1987.
A Mother's Worst Nightmare
This season introduces a new threat to the Wheeler family, as Vecna begins targeting fresh victims in the quarantined town. His newest target is Holly Wheeler, the younger sister of Mike and Nancy, played by Nell Fisher. Vecna, also known as Henry Creel, cunningly gains the seven-year-old's trust by posing as her imaginary friend, 'Mr Whatsit'.
When Holly's teacher raises concerns about this invisible companion, her mother, Karen Wheeler, initially dismisses the warning. Unaware of the dark history haunting Hawkins, she sees it as nothing more than a child's active imagination. However, the terrifying reality of the Upside Down soon forces its way into her home.
The Heroic Stand Against a Demogorgon
The tension escalates dramatically when a Demogorgon brutally invades the Wheeler residence. Karen, who had been preparing for a relaxing bath with a few glasses of wine, is thrust into a fight for her daughter's life. In a moment of pure maternal instinct, she grabs Holly and they initially hide in the bubble-filled bath.
Their attempt to flee is thwarted as the monster corners them. With no other options, Karen makes a brave stand. Armed with an empty wine bottle, she screams 'stay away from my daughter!' and shatters the bottle to use as a weapon against the creature.
Karen Wheeler's Fate in Volume 1
So, does Karen Wheeler die in this brutal encounter? Fortunately for fans of the character, she does not succumb to her injuries in volume one. Her heroic act, however, comes at a severe cost. The Demogorgon strikes her down, allowing it to capture Holly and return with her to the Upside Down.
Karen is rushed to the hospital, where she is found to have sustained significant damage. When Mike and Nancy visit her, she is unable to speak due to the extent of her injuries. While she survives the initial attack, her long-term fate and the rescue of her daughter remain hanging questions that will be addressed in the subsequent releases.
The next instalment of episodes is scheduled to drop on Boxing Day, December 26th, with the hotly anticipated series finale arriving on January 1, 2026.
