Stranger Things has come to an end after five seasons, with the final episode titled Chapter Eight: The Rightside Up released on Netflix. The feature-length finale saw the Hawkins crew battle to close the wormhole between their world and the Upside Down, ultimately defeating Vecna and the Mindflayer. However, Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) sacrificed herself in the process, leaving her fate ambiguous and her friends devastated.
Fans took to social media to share their reactions, with many praising the ending. One user on X wrote: 'Thank you, Duffer Brothers! This was absolutely legendary. The best show ever.' Another said: '10/10 ending. Gave everyone beautiful endings.' The finale currently holds an 8.1/10 rating on IMDb based on around 500 reviews.
However, not all reactions were positive. Some viewers expressed frustration, comparing the ending unfavourably to the Game of Thrones series finale. One critic posted: 'So you’re telling me the fan theories were better than the episode itself…?' Another questioned the lack of casualties, writing: 'They just fought a godzilla sized monster... and they somehow all escaped with literally no injuries.'
The mixed response follows earlier backlash to some episodes in season five. Despite this, the show's creators, the Duffer Brothers, have been thanked by many fans for delivering a conclusion that satisfied a large portion of the audience.
