Stranger Things 5 Series Review

Stranger Things 5 Series Review: Compromised Send-Off

Ending one of the most defining shows of the past decade was never going to be easy. The Duffer Brothers’ attempt may not be perfect, but it avoids its biggest potential mistake by delivering an emotionally resonant final hour that ultimately seals the deal. Still, as with any long journey, it’s important to judge the road taken to get there. And while the final season remains entertaining at its core, the compromises along the way make it the weakest season of the series.

Following the events of Season 4, the group is now focused on stopping Vecna after rifts tear through Hawkins. These same rifts prompt the military to place the town under quarantine and begin hunting Eleven for her powers, complicating an already complex situation. When Holly, Mike’s younger sister, goes missing, the stakes escalate even further, forcing the group to push their mission into overdrive.

This final season ultimately feels like a compromised send-off. Compromised in the sense that the writing seems determined to close the story in the cleanest, safest, and most efficient way possible. Despite the extended runtimes,, from hour-long episodes and a nearly two-hour finale, the season often feels rushed. Major developments happen out of convenience, and logic is occasionally sacrificed just to keep the story moving. Part of the problem lies in how overstuffed the season is. Beyond the core cast, the narrative juggles military forces and an entirely new set of characters connected to Holly. There are simply too many moving parts for an eight-episode run, and some elements, particularly the military subplot, could have, and probaly should have, been left on the cutting room floor.

Despite its uneven writing, the series manages to end on a satisfying and emotional note. This is far from a Game of Thrones-level misfire, and it doesn’t undo the goodwill built by previous seasons. Performances remain strong across the board, and while the age of the main cast is sometimes hard to ignore, the acting itself is consistently solid. Most importantly, the final hour of the finale delivers a sense of closure that helps viewers momentarily forget the season’s missteps and appreciate the nearly decade-long journey of Stranger Things. While this may not have been the ideal final season, it still succeeds as an emotional rollercoaster. Imperfect but heartfelt enough to remind us why this series mattered in the first place.

Rating: 3 and a half reels