It is finally here: the fifth and final season of the hit show Stranger Things, marking the beginning of the end for the beloved series. Volume 1 was released on November 26th of this year, with Volume 2 scheduled to release on December 25th, and the final episode airing on December 31st. The new episodes have fans returning to Hawkins to unravel the consequences of past events, and the continuation of supernatural danger surrounding this haunted town.
Season 5 Volume 1takes an emotional approach with a heavy focus on the characters’ growth and relationships. According to Variety, “Stranger Things conveys its main characters’ expanding emotional lives as they plunge ever further into adolescence.” The main group of boys, Dustin, Mike, Will, and Lucas, plus some new characters, must work together while also dealing with the fear and loss that comes with imminent challenges, only creating more uncertainty in their future. Will Byers plays a particularly important role this season, as his connection to the Upside Down continues to affect both him and the group. He also struggles a lot with his own identity, which only adds emotional depth to his character that fans have not seen in past seasons. Eleven’s storyline continues to explore her identity and strength, while the rest of the group struggles to protect Hawkins from further destruction.
Many students feel as though this season has been more serious than earlier ones. Sophomore Sara Cays says, “You can really tell that the characters are older now, and the problems feel much more intense and real.” It’s not just students who are interested in this show, but faculty members who appreciate its strong storytelling and character development. Ms. Casey, an English teacher here at Ramapo, “[has] been watching the show since its first season and cannot wait to see how the final season unfolds.” So far, she has enjoyed “the same nostalgic and ominous atmosphere the show always brings, along with twists and turns that, in hindsight, make total sense!”
Although fans have praised this darker tone and acting, some scenes might upset certain viewers. Fans are very worried about their favorite characters dying, especially when the actor who plays Mike in the show, Finn Wolfhard, was asked about his ending and and had the following to say: “I was so happy with his ending, and I don’t know, I was satisfied, but I was also very confused and sad, but also very happy” (IMDb).
Overall, Volume 1 has successfully built diverse emotional responses from the fans, setting up what is sure to be a dramatic end to this series.
