Critics Hail Stranger Things Final Season as 'Masterpiece'
The highly anticipated final season of Stranger Things has made its explosive debut on Netflix, with the first four episodes released on November 27. Within mere hours of its arrival, television critics across the UK and beyond have been united in their praise, branding the beginning of the end for the sci-fi phenomenon an absolute 'masterpiece'.
The Beginning of the End for Hawkins
The streaming giant is concluding the beloved series with a unique release schedule. The initial batch of four episodes is available now, with three more scheduled to follow on Boxing Day. The grand finale, the series' final instalment, will then drop on New Year's Day, keeping fans in suspense for over a month.
Set in the fictional town of Hawkins, Indiana during the 1980s, the season sees the return of Millie Bobby Brown as Eleven, alongside her loyal group of friends: Mike, Lucas, Dustin, Max, and Will. The familiar cast, which also includes Finn Wolfhard, Noah Schnapp, Caleb McLaughlin, Sadie Sink, Gaten Matarazzo, David Harbour, and Winona Ryder, is set for one last confrontation with the show's formidable villain, Vecna, portrayed by Jamie Campbell Bower.
As Netflix teased in the final trailer, 'Hawkins has never faced anything like what's coming next', promising scenes that are 'bone-chilling'. The official synopsis reminds viewers that the series follows 'a group of young friends' who 'witness supernatural forces and secret government exploits', unravelling extraordinary mysteries.
Rave Reviews from Across the Critic Sphere
The early critical response has been overwhelmingly positive, with many journalists sharing their exhilaration online. The Metro's Sabrina Barr declared the finale a television moment that will be 'remembered for years to come', adding that it gave her 'full-body chills' and had her 'on the verge of screaming'.
The Guardian's Jack Seale penned a headline stating the 'luxurious final run will have you standing on a chair, yelling with joy', while The Independent's Nick Hilton praised the Duffer brothers for creating an 'admirably immersive' world in Hawkins.
The BBC's Laura Martin assured that 'no Stranger Things fan is going away disappointed' from these initial episodes, which have left anticipation at a 'fever pitch'. She concluded that if this is a precursor to the final ending, viewers are 'in for an all-time great TV ending'.
Further acclaim has poured in on Rotten Tomatoes. The Los Angeles Times' Lorraine Ali called it a 'welcome but bittersweet reunion' for fans, and The Daily Beast's Nick Schager noted that the series 'hasn't lost a step' in its vibrant personality and spectacle. Mama's Geeky writer Tessa Smith highlighted the 'epic action' and 'heartbreaking moments', confirming that Netflix and the Duffer brothers 'spared no expense' for the final episodes.
Stranger Things is available to stream on Netflix now.
