I’ve been watching Stranger Things since 2016, back when it was a charming little show about kids fighting monsters in the 80s. Nine years later, it’s a global phenomenon. Season 5 premiered on Netflix on June 5, and I cleared my weekend to watch all eight episodes. I went in skeptical—after Season 3, I felt the show was losing its way. Too many characters, too much nostalgia for nostalgia’s sake. But Season 5? It’s a comeback.
Let me start with what works.
The Kids Are Now Adults—And It Works
One of my biggest fears was that the actors, now in their 20s, would look ridiculous playing teenagers. But the show cleverly sets this season three years after Season 4, so everyone is in college (or trying to be). Mike, Eleven, Will, and the gang are dealing with adult problems—relationships, identity, the weight of their past traumas—while still fighting interdimensional horrors. Millie Bobby Brown delivers her best performance yet. There’s a scene in episode 4 where she breaks down about losing her powers, and I legit teared up. The writing gives her room to be vulnerable, not just a superhero.
The Horror Is Genuinely Scary Again
Season 4 had some creepy moments (Vecna was terrifying), but Season 5 goes full horror. The Upside Down feels more dangerous than ever. The first episode opens with a cold sequence in Hawkins Lab that’s straight out of a John Carpenter movie—slow, tense, and bloody. There’s a new monster called the “Shadow” that moves like smoke and whispers your greatest fears. I watched with the lights on. The Duffer Brothers clearly studied recent horror hits like Talk to Me and Barbarian, because the scares are psychological, not just jump scares. It’s the darkest the show has ever been.
The 80s Nostalgia Is More Subtle
Thank god. In earlier seasons, the references felt forced—look, it’s a Ghostbusters costume! Look, it’s a DeLorean! In Season 5, the 80s are just the setting, not the point. The soundtrack still slaps (Kate Bush, The Cure, and a killer use of “Blue Monday”), but it doesn’t distract from the story. There’s a beautiful sequence in episode 6 set to “Take My Breath Away” that’s genuinely emotional, not just a music video.
But It’s Not Perfect (Why Did They Do This to Steve?)
I have to complain about one thing: Steve Harrington. He’s been the comic relief for too long. In Season 5, he gets a romantic subplot that feels tacked on and wastes his talent. Joe Keery is a great actor, but he spends half the season being hit over the head (literally) and making dumb jokes. Give him something serious to do! Also, the middle episodes drag. Episode 5 is basically just characters walking through tunnels and discussing their feelings. I almost fell asleep. The show could have been six episodes instead of eight.
Is It a Good Final Season?
This is supposedly the last season (though Netflix will probably milk it for spin-offs). Does it stick the landing? Mostly. The finale is epic, with a battle that rivals anything in Game of Thrones. The emotional payoffs for characters like Eleven and Hopper are earned. But a few characters get shortchanged—Dustin, for example, barely has anything to do. And the ending is bittersweet, which I appreciate. Not everyone gets a happy ending. It feels true to the show’s dark heart.
Overall, I’d give Season 5 an 8.5/10. It’s not perfect, but it’s a return to form after a wobbly middle season. If you loved the early seasons, you’ll love this. Just be prepared to cry. A lot.
