The Long-Awaited Return to Hawkins
After keeping fans waiting for over three years, Stranger Things finally returns for its fifth and final season this Thursday at 1am UK time. The Netflix phenomenon, created by the Duffer Brothers, left viewers on an explosive cliffhanger back in 2022 that saw our heroes suffer their first major defeat against the monstrous Vecna.
The stakes have never been higher as Hawkins literally tears apart at the seams, with the Upside Down dimension bleeding into the real world. This isn't just another season - it's the conclusion to the entire saga that began in 2016 with the search for a missing boy and evolved into a complex story involving telekinetic powers, alternate dimensions, and government conspiracies.
Recapping Season Four's Devastating Events
Season four proved to be the most emotionally devastating instalment yet. The story picked up months after the Starcourt Mall destruction, with Eleven having lost her powers and moved to California with the Byers family, believing her adoptive father Jim Hopper had died.
Meanwhile in Hawkins, Max Mayfield struggled with deep depression after witnessing her brother's horrific death at the hands of the Mind Flayer. The town becomes gripped by fear when a cheerleader is brutally murdered in Eddie Munson's trailer, making him the prime suspect in what appears to be satanic killings.
The Hawkins gang eventually discovers that the real culprit is Vecna, revealed to be Henry Creel - a powerful individual like Eleven who was cast into the Upside Down. Vecna targets suicidal teenagers, needing four victims to fully return to Hawkins. Despite their efforts, the team suffers catastrophic losses.
Eddie Munson sacrifices himself to save Dustin from demon bats in the Upside Down, while Max survives Vecna's attack but is left blinded and in a coma. The season concludes with Hawkins facing apocalyptic destruction as the Upside Down merges with reality.
What to Expect in the Final Season
The trailer for season five suggests the action picks up immediately after season four's events, with Lucas seen carrying a comatose Max through a hospital under attack. The team appears to have developed a new plan, with Mike warning that "it's a bit insane" while Dustin seeks revenge for Eddie's death.
Eleven has regained her telekinetic powers, which will be crucial in the final battle against Vecna. Familiar threats return, including the Demogorgans from season one, and the team seems prepared to take the fight directly into the Upside Down.
Fan favourites Steve Harrington and Robin Buckley return, though viewers express concern about their safety given Eddie's recent fate. Joe Keery, who plays Steve, has reassured fans that he's happy with how his character's story concludes.
Cast Changes and New Additions
The original core cast all return for the final chapter: Millie Bobby Brown as Eleven, Finn Wolfhard as Mike, Noah Schnapp as Will, Caleb McLaughlin as Lucas, and Gaten Matarazzo as Dustin. They're joined by David Harbour's Hopper, Winona Ryder's Joyce, and Joe Keery's Steve.
Notably absent is Matthew Modine's Dr Brenner, who died in season four. The new antagonist comes in the form of Linda Hamilton as Dr Kay, described as a "kind of scary" military scientist running her own experiments.
While Joseph Quinn's Eddie Munson isn't expected to return despite fan hopes, Gaten Matarazzo confirms that Eddie's presence will be felt through Dustin, who may struggle with resentment toward the town that still blames Eddie for Hawkins' disasters.
Release Schedule and Episode Details
The final season releases in three parts, with episodes one to four available from 1am GMT on Thursday 27 November in the UK. Episodes five to seven follow on Boxing Day at the same time, with the grand finale dropping on New Year's Day.
Episode runtimes range from 54 minutes to 1 hour 23 minutes for the initial batch, with the final episode expected to be approximately two hours long, providing an epic conclusion to the Hawkins saga that has captivated audiences since 2016.
