The eagerly awaited penultimate episodes of Netflix's global phenomenon, Stranger Things, have finally landed, delivering major revelations and earning ecstatic praise from fans and critics alike. The second volume of the fifth and final series, which aired on Boxing Day, has been branded 'amazing' and 'phenomenal' as viewers finally learn the shocking truth about the Upside Down.
The Ultimate Revelation: What Is The Upside Down?
In a dramatic shift for the long-running sci-fi hit, the latest episodes have completely rewritten the rules. Previously believed to be a dark parallel universe, the terrifying Upside Down is now revealed to be something else entirely. As character Dustin Henderson, played by Gaten Matarazzo, declares: 'Everything we have ever assumed about the upside down, has been dead wrong.'
The show discloses that the eerie dimension is in fact a wormhole, a cosmic bridge connecting the real world of Hawkins to the hidden realm where the primary antagonist, Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower), has been plotting. This revelation sets the stage for the ultimate confrontation, with the core group—Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown), Will (Noah Schnapp), Mike (Finn Wolfhard), Dustin, and Lucas (Caleb McLaughlin)—preparing for a final battle against the monstrous foe.
Critical Acclaim and Emotional Depth
The new instalments have received a slew of positive reviews, with many highlighting the series' emotional core amidst the spectacle. The Guardian's Stuart Heritage awarded the volume three stars but praised it as 'amazing,' noting its 'pedal-to-the-metal spectacle' and 'operatic' emotion.
Ed Potton from The Times lauded the show's focus on character relationships, calling the emotional components 'gold.' He emphasised that the bonds between characters like Hopper and Eleven, and the beloved duo of Dustin and Steve (Joe Keery), are what truly make the series a colossus. This sentiment was echoed in other reviews, with The Telegraph's Ed Power (four stars) and Empire's Leila Latif (four stars) both pointing to the powerful, tear-jerking character moments.
Michael Walsh from Nerdlist described the end of Chapter 5 as 'phenomenal,' stating it was 'as exciting and terrifying and exhilarating as Hawkins and the Upside Down get.'
Building to the Grand Finale
The narrative finds the residents of Hawkins still in a form of lockdown, with the military hunting for Eleven and investigating the rift to the Upside Down. These penultimate episodes meticulously build tension towards the grande two-hour final episode, which is scheduled to launch on New Year's Day.
Not every review was wholly glowing, however. The Atlantic's Shirley Li felt the show had 'stalled,' criticising an overcomplicated plot and an overstuffed cast. The Standard's Vicky Jessop gave a mixed three-star review, praising performances like Sadie Sink's Max but noting the 'long, or slow' road to the summit with many loose ends to tie up.
Despite these notes of criticism, the overwhelming response has been one of thrilled anticipation. As the Duffer Brothers steer their creation toward its conclusion, the penultimate volume has successfully set the table for what promises to be an epic and emotionally charged farewell to Hawkins and its beloved residents.
