Stranger Things Season 5 Vol 1 Review: The Final Battle Begins, and It’s Terrifying
- Elizabeth Sanate
- 3 days ago
- 4 min read
Stranger Things is finally back, and tell me why the first few seconds already feel wrong in the best way. It’s like Hawkins has been waiting for us, but not in a friendly “hey, welcome back” kind of way. More like, “Oh, you came back? Good. We’ve been expecting you.” That tiny shiver you get? Yeah, that’s the show grabbing your hand and pulling you straight into the dark.
So are we ready to face Hawkins again, or are we pretending we’re brave?
Either way, we’re here together, and Stranger Things isn’t wasting a single second reminding us why this world is impossible to escape.
Stranger Things: The beginning of the end hits harder than expected
The weird thing is how fast the season feels different. It doesn’t even try to warm you up. You look at the first scene, and you just know something is off. The colors look a bit washed out and colder, the quiet feels uncomfortable, and there’s this slow pressure in the air that makes Hawkins feel wrong. Not in a dramatic, movie way. Just wrong.
It doesn’t even feel like the town is in danger anymore. It feels like the town already knows it’s losing.
There are no soft moments at the start, nothing to make you feel relaxed. The show just puts you back into that uneasy feeling it’s always been good at. Eleven looks tired in a way that’s easy to miss but hard to forget. You can tell she’s trying to keep going even though she’s carrying too much. Will keeps glancing around like he’s hearing something he can’t explain. And everyone else is acting brave, but you can see the stress on their faces. Not big, dramatic fear, just small cracks that show when they think no one is looking.
There’s a haunting feeling throughout:
This time, saving Hawkins might actually cost them everything.
Stranger Things: Horror Returns - Sharper, Quieter, and Meaner
If you thought Season 4 already peaked in the horror department, Season 5 Vol 1 quietly taps you on the shoulder and says, “Oh, sweet summer child, you’ve seen nothing.”
But the horror this time isn’t loud. It’s not jump scares or big monsters. It’s the quiet fear that makes your heart race for no reason. Lights flicker like someone is tapping codes through electricity. The doors open an inch too slowly. Shadows move like they’re breathing. And sometimes, nobody says a word, and somehow that’s the scariest part.
The Upside Down feels alive this season, not a hidden dimension, but a ghost town with military. There’s a moment where Eleven stands alone in an empty hallway, the lights twitch above her, and for a second, you remember the little girl she used to be: scared, lonely, unsure. Except now she’s grown, and so have her nightmares.
Tell me honestly. Would you sleep with your lights off after watching this?
Stranger Things: The heart, humor, and hurt that hold everything together
For every terrifying moment, there’s a heartbeat underneath it, the friendships that built this show from day one. Even in chaos, Steve is racing through terror and crashing into a gross wall. Lucas, Mike, and Max(in memories) all feel bruised by the past, but are still standing because someone has to be. The one who got hit hardest is probably Dustin. His personality has shifted, from a goofy, enthusiastic nerd to a brooding genius.
The humor hits differently now. It’s not innocent anymore. It’s the kind of laugh you let out because if you don’t, you might cry. These kids grew up on-screen. We grew up with them. So watching them walk into the final battle feels personal, almost painful.
Here’s a question for you:
If only one character could survive the finale, who would you pick?
Think about it. The Duffers might not let you keep them all.
Stranger Things Season 5 Vol 1: The internet can’t stop talking
The fans have spoken and, as always, the reactions are wild. Some are hyped, some are confused, and some are just conflicted. Here’s what people are saying about Hawkins’ latest chaos.
Tomsrosita shared their excitement:
That was INSANEEEE. So my take from those 4 eps. Eleven is so awesome. Will MVP right now. Max is tough. Jancy's endgame. Lumax endgame. Byler will not be the endgame. Mike is back to being the leader. Robin & Murray comedic duo. Needs more Erica. I’m speechless #StrangerThings5
Jolly Oofstin said they were conflicted:
Stranger Things: Season 5 (Part 1) (2025) I'm really conflicted. I was sold pretty much up until the very end of episode 4, where two things happened that, if I'm being honest, I'm not thrilled about. Despite that, it's a really good start to the finale. I'll let the duffers cook. 7/10
Vladgor found it “fine” but not mind-blowing:
I watched the first episode of Season 5, and honestly, it was fine. I still enjoyed it, but it didn't totally blow me away right at the start. #StrangerThings #StrangersThings5
Shidoe was underwhelmed and had some complaints:
Well, volume 1 felt kinda underwhelming, idk. Acting is pretty bad, which is a gag considering past seasons, especially season 1. Two whole episodes without the queen Erica and Noah Schnapp also having too much screen time, like no baby #StrangerThings5
Clearly, the reactions show everything from excitement to confusion to mild frustration, which is exactly the magic of Stranger Things. It makes everyone feel something.
So, where do you stand, cheering “this is insane!” or hiding under a blanket? Hawkins wants to know.
Stranger Things: Where the darkness ends, and the story lives on
Stranger Things Season 5 Vol 1 doesn’t try to be perfect; it tries to be final. And that’s exactly why it works. The pieces are on the board now: Eleven’s anger. Vecna’s shadow. Hawkins is falling apart. Friendships bending under fear. And a storm that refuses to stay quiet.
This isn’t the battle. It’s the breath before the scream. And the scream is coming soon. When you reach the end, you’re left with one cold, awful feeling:
Not everyone is making it out of this alive. But the Duffer brothers left the best scene for the end of episode 4, and it involves Will. It will leave you more excited than ever for this Christmas.
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