TV Review: ‘Stranger Things’ Season 5 Volume 1 and 2

After a three-year gap, the storyline of small-town residents battling a monstrous presence returns with a balanced, epic launch before the final episodes.

Millie Bobby Brown as Eleven in ‘Stranger Things: Season 5 Vol 2.’ Photo: Netflix © 2025.

Arriving on Netflix on November 26 is the first four episodes from ‘Stranger Things’ fifth season, starting the long(ish) road to wrapping up the series as a whole.

The cast for the show includes Winona Ryder (‘Reality Bites’), David Harbour (‘Black Widow’), Millie Bobby Brown (‘Enola Holmes’), Finn Wolfhard (‘It’), Gaten Matarazzo (‘Honor Society’) and Noah Schnapp (‘Bridge of Spies’).

Initial Thoughts

(L to R): Maya Hawke as Robin Buckley and Amybeth McNulty as Vickie in ‘Stranger Things: Season 5.’ Photo: COURTESY OF NETFLIX © 2025.

Finishing off a series that has had as much worldwide attention of ‘Stranger Things’ is a task that could best be described as “mammoth.” There is so much expectations and a multitude of dangling plot lines to be tied up.

Creators Matt and Ross Duffer have opted to go big, and Netflix in its infinite wisdom (and hunt for viewing figures) has decided to split this final season somewhat confusingly into various-sized chunks. Fortunately, the first four, at least don’t disappoint.

Script and Direction

Ross Duffer and Matt Duffer attend Netflix's 'Stranger Things' Season 5 UK Special Screening at ODEON Luxe Leicester Square on November 13th, 2025 in London, England. Photo: StillMoving.Net for Netflix.

(L to R): Ross Duffer and Matt Duffer attend Netflix's 'Stranger Things' Season 5 UK Special Screening at ODEON Luxe Leicester Square on November 13th, 2025 in London, England. Photo: StillMoving.Net for Netflix.

The Duffers and their writers team appear fully cognizant of the challenges inherent in sticking the landing –– and what has emerged, at least in this initial run of four is a mostly balanced treatment of the surviving main characters.

A majority of the cast get something fun (or terrifying; or both) to do, and the team-up concept means that there are more interactions. The creators have also built on the premise, raising the stakes as the final conflict begins.

Despite hour-plus running times for most episodes, there’s not much downtime, and the show’s hefty budget means it all looks good.

Cast and Performances

(L to R): Winona Ryder as Joyce Byers, Natalia Dyer, and Maya Hawke as Robin Buckley in ‘Stranger Things: Season 5.’ Photo: COURTESY OF NETFLIX © 2025.

Though the younger cast have all aged to such a degree that they’re not the most convincing high-schoolers to grace screens, they still give committed, entertaining performances.

Gaten Matarazzo’s Dustin remains a standout, but all the “young” characters enjoy decent storylines or at least moments, while Winona Ryder is on good form as Joyce.

Final Thoughts

David Harbour as Jim Hopper and Millie Bobby Brown as Eleven in ‘Stranger Things: Season 5.’ Photo: COURTESY OF NETFLIX © 2025.

It might have very familiar genre bones (evil presence in a small town, psychic connections or powers, monsters) but ‘Stranger Things’ has always built well on those foundations, with this initial batch of final season episodes delivering on heart and spectacle.

Now we just have to wait until Christmas Day for the next three.

‘Stranger Things’ Season 5 Volume 1 receives 75 out of 100.

(L to R): Gaten Matarazzo as Dustin Henderson, Natalia Dyer as Nancy Wheeler, Charlie Heaton as Jonathan Byers, and Joe Keery as Steve Harrington in ‘Stranger Things: Season 5.’ Photo: COURTESY OF NETFLIX © 2025.

TV Review: ‘Stranger Things’ Season 5 Volume 2

Millie Bobby Brown as Eleven in ‘Stranger Things: Season 5.’ Photo: COURTESY OF NETFLIX © 2025.

Arriving on Netflix on December 25 is the second three episodes from ‘Stranger Things’ fifth season, leading to the big finish on New Year’s Eve.

Initial Thoughts

Sadie Sink as Max Mayfield in ‘Stranger Things: Season 5 Vol 2.’ Photo: Netflix © 2025.Sadie Sink as Max Mayfield in ‘Stranger Things: Season 5 Vol 2.’ Photo: Netflix © 2025.

‘Stranger Things’ has always referenced 1980s pop culture, so it seems appropriate that this middle chunk of Season 5 should be the ‘Empire Strikes Back’ of the final run. The heroes are on the back foot to some degree, but are looking for ways to win. It never reaches the sheer quality of that second ‘Star Wars,’ but there is some solid entertainment here.

Script and Direction

Nell Fisher as Holly Wheeler in ‘Stranger Things: Season 5 Vol 2.’ Photo: Netflix © 2025.

The scripts are a mixed bag here and there –– we get plenty of big reveals (particularly about the nature of the Upside Down) and a lovely moment for Will, but the episodes also suffer from long batches of exposition designed to set the finale up (though one scene featuring the reuniting gang manages to pull off an info dump while also being fun).

Frank Darabont and Shawn Levy are on directing duty here (the Duffers share a credit with Levy on Episode 7) and the three episodes are generally stylish, full of interesting visuals.

Cast and Performances

(L to R) Joe Keery as Steve Harrington, Finn Wolfhard as Mike Wheeler, Millie Bobby Brown as Eleven, David Harbour as Jim Hopper, and Charlie Heaton as Jonathan Byers in ‘Stranger Things: Season 5 Vol 2.’ Photo: Courtesy of Natflix © 2025.

While we talked about the main characters in the review of the first chunk, credit to Noah Schnapp, who brings real pathos and nervy energy to Will’s big revelation to his friends.

But we would be remiss if we didn’t also highlight Jake Connelly as Derek Turnbow, who is a real star in his supporting role.

Final Thoughts

David Harbour as Jim Hopper in ‘Stranger Things: Season 5 Vol 2.’ Photo: Netflix © 2025.

We’re in the endgame now for ‘Stranger Things’ and while the final season has been a mixed bag, it’s certainly got plenty to offer fans who have been on the ride for nearly a decade.

Can it stick the landing? We’ll have to wait and see once the finale arrives.

‘Stranger Things’ Season 5 Volume 2 receives 70 out of 100.

Noah Schnapp as Will Byers in ‘Stranger Things: Season 5 Vol 2.’ Photo: Netflix © 2025.

What’s the plot of ‘Stranger Things’ Season 5 Volume 1?

The fall of 1987. Hawkins is scarred by the opening of the Rifts, and our heroes are united by a single goal: find and kill Vecna. But he has vanished — his whereabouts and plans unknown.

Complicating their mission, the government has placed the town under military quarantine and intensified its hunt for Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown), forcing her back into hiding. As the anniversary of Will’s (Noah Schnapp) disappearance approaches, so does a heavy, familiar dread. The final battle is looming…