Stranger Things Season Five Review – A Luxurious and Explosive Finale
The wait is finally over. Stranger Things season five, the long-awaited conclusion to the global phenomenon, has arrived on Netflix. This final run, landing nearly three-and-a-half years after the fourth season, promises to tie up all the loose ends in the battle for Hawkins and the Upside Down.
A Cast Grown Up, A World Shrunk Down
The show returns with a noticeable shift: its young cast are now visibly in their twenties. This presented a unique challenge for the creators, the Duffer Brothers. The original charm of the series was rooted in watching brave children on their bikes outsmarting otherworldly threats. To address this, the world of Stranger Things has been deliberately shrunk. The action is almost entirely confined to Hawkins and its dark mirror, the Upside Down, with the general populace and peripheral characters fading into the background.
The focus is now laser-sharp on our core group of heroes and their singular mission: to break into the Upside Down and defeat Vecna, the telekinetic villain, once and for all. This quest has become their only concern, creating a claustrophobic and intense atmosphere.
A Five-Hour Action-Horror Spectacle
The season is structured like an extended blockbuster. The initial four episodes flow directly into one another, creating what feels like a five-hour action-horror movie. The pacing is luxurious, with the first episode dedicated to setup, building towards an explosive fourth episode. This 90-minute segment is a solidly thrilling spectacle of flame-throwing and bullet-dodging, showcasing what appears to be a virtually limitless budget for special effects.
Fans of the series' classic dynamics will not be disappointed. The gang is back to their old tricks: setting traps, crawling through tunnels, and using their wits to improvise their way out of impossible situations. The show continues to wear its influences on its sleeve, with homages this season ranging from The Exorcist and Home Alone to Jurassic Park. Yet, it has ultimately succeeded in creating its own unique genre identity.
Character Arcs and Emotional Payoffs
Despite the relentless action, character development is not forgotten. Nancy Wheeler finds a new fire, spurred into action by condescending attitudes. However, the most significant and moving journey belongs to Will Byers. The show revisits his initial abduction in the very first season, using it as a springboard to transform him from a pale, traumatised figure into arguably the most important member of the ensemble.
The Duffer Brothers handle Will's storyline, including the exploration of his sexuality, with remarkable thought and sensitivity. It becomes not just another subplot, but the show's most profound and moving journey of self-discovery, proving there is more heart to this blockbuster than just spectacle.
While it's undeniable that the show has outgrown its initial premise, this final season is a worthy and indulgent send-off. Stranger Things season five manages to be more explosive and more moving than ever before, ensuring it goes out in a blaze of glory.
