created by: duffer brothers
Language: English
Mould: Winona Ryder, David Harbour, Finn Wolfhard, Millie Bobby Brown, Gaten Matarazzo, Caleb McLaughlin, Natalia Dyer, Charlie Heaton, Cara Buono, Noah Schnapp, Sadie Sink, Joe Keery, Maya Hawke, Jamie Campbell Bower and Linda Hamilton
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Rating: 3/5
Stranger Things Season 5 Review: After a month-long wait, the much-awaited second part of Stranger Things season 5 has finally premiered on the OTT platform, the story will pick up exactly where the first part left off. Instead of diluting the impact, it seems that the gap between releases has worked in the show’s favor this time. The anticipation built from the initial episodes remains intact, with pending questions and unresolved tensions still fresh in the minds of viewers. As a result, the series wastes no time in re-engaging viewers, drawing them straight into the narrative from the first moments of the three newly released episodes, and reaffirming the season’s hold on its fan base.
Strong pace, uneven character focus
The story continues to move along at a solid pace, but the way the characters are handled feels a little uneven. Will continues to get the most emotional weight and screen time, and his arc feels thoughtful and well-developed. Meanwhile, some characters, particularly Mike and Hopper, don’t get as much to do, making them feel oddly underused considering how important they are to the series.
Visually, the show is often based on very dark scenes, with frequent use of torchlight to set the mood. Although the aim is obviously to create tension, it is not always created.
It’s comforting to see Dustin return to his familiar, charming personality, but his impact seems largely unchanged. Although his presence remains consistent, there is a notable lack of character development. Despite limited screen time, the absence of his girlfriend, no matter how warmly welcomed she is, also stands out and leaves a gap in his emotional arc. Rather than being sidelined, Dustin feels stuck in the same tropes as before, with most of his narrative energy redirected toward Steve and their dynamic. As a result, the focus is more on Steve’s relationships than allowing Dustin to develop as an individual character in his own right.
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Kali’s sudden prominence in comparison to Dustin’s girlfriend seems especially strange. Kali only appeared in one episode in the first four seasons, yet she now plays a major role, recurring in four episodes during the finale. In contrast, Dustin’s girlfriend, who had more screen time and was better integrated into the story earlier, is written out entirely.
However, Kali’s increased presence this season works better than ever before, giving her more depth and clear motivations, even if it still feels sudden compared to her previous cameos.
There is a danger of rushing the finale.
One of the show’s strongest qualities, its grounded, emotionally real tone, continues to create anxiety this season. As the story continues to expand into larger-scale supernatural events, there is a concern that the finale may lose this restraint and rush to cram in too much at once.
Read here Stranger Things season 5 volume 1 review: Nostalgia, chaos, and an extraordinary character as the season draws to a close
The final episode, over two hours long, carries heavy narrative weight. Since much of the season feels like a build-up to this single conclusion, there remains concern about whether it can provide a satisfying resolution to all the stories without compromising the show’s careful balance.
Character arcs falter as some key figures shine while others fade
Eleven, Jane, L, whatever we want to call her, she still hasn’t fully stepped into the commanding presence the show keeps promising. Instead of asserting her own choices, she often appears reactive, listening to others rather than trusting herself.
The decline in Mike’s screen presence is particularly noticeable. Once positioned as the group’s emotional anchor, he now feels like a spectator, floating along with the plot. Occasionally, he gets a brief moment, perhaps two minutes every few episodes, where he shows glimpses of his former importance. The strange thing is that now even his mother seems more attractive than him.
On the other hand, Will finally gives an emotional speech that feels earned after going through so much for the entire season. Lucas and Max continue to provide some of the most heartfelt moments, maintaining a strong emotional connection that transcends the chaos around them. However, Winona Ryder’s Joyce is unforgivably sidelined, which feels like a missed opportunity given her importance to the series’ identity.
Could the finale tie everything together?
Now the question arises whether Duffer Brothers will be able to successfully tie such a long story in the limited time of the finale.
Stranger Things is set to premiere its finale on Netflix, and while this season may not exactly be breaking new ground, it still feels somehow complete, a little weird, but still, it’s Stranger Things.