Stranger Things Season 5 Review : Volume 1 Moments, Misses, and Madness

Netflix and Duffer Brothers made us wait almost three years for Stranger Things Season 5 and fortunately, it was absolutely worth the wait. Stranger Things has always had a way of making us feel like we’re part of Hawkins ourselves, and this time, the immersion is deeper, darker, and far more emotional. Vol. 1 consists of only four episodes, and yes, I’ll admit I was frustrated the moment Netflix revealed “just four.” But once you dive in, those four episodes completely overwhelm your senses. If you’ve already watched it, you know exactly what I mean; if you haven’t, consider this your warning as this review contains deliberate spoilers. Honestly, Instagram hasn't left anyone’s feed spoiler-free anyway.

Before diving in, here’s the details of when Stranger Things Season 5 Volume 2 will be released:

The next batch of four episodes drops on Christmas, followed by the final episode on New Year’s Eve, marking the official end of the Stranger Things era. And trust me; judging by Vol. 1, the finale is going to be massive.

SO LET'S TALK ABOUT THIS SEASON:
it doesn’t warm up; it throws you into chaos immediately. The military is everywhere. Hawkins is no longer a normal town; it looks like a war zone. The threat of Vecna is everywhere, even when he isn’t shown. Overall: A strong, dramatic opening that immediately pulls you in.

Season 5 opens as a focus on the Wheeler house, with little Holly Wheeler becoming the unexpected center of attention. The show immediately hints that something is off! Holly has a mysterious imaginary friend who happens to be visible only to her. And yes, it turns out to be exactly who you think it is: Henry, aka Vecna. To the kids he targets, he appears as Mr. WhatsIt. When the show reveals this friend is Henry/Vecna in the form of “Mr. WhatsIt,” it’s unsettling but expected.

Stranger Things thrives on nostalgia, so returning to the original villain makes emotional sense even if it wasn’t the most surprising choice. I think they could have and should introduced a new villain instead of circling back to Vecna so that it could have given a sense of chills and mysterious power, Holly is still a fun addition to the story. Even though her age is incredibly confusing as she was practically a toddler just a season ago but her presence brings a fresh layer of fear and curiosity.

What truly excites me is that the Hawkins gang is finally back together but it is a bit complicated this time and you can sense the tension within the gang members. The Wheelers are joined by the Byers family, and for once, we get nearly the entire ensemble - Eleven, Mike, Will, Robin, Steve, Dustin, Nancy, Jonathan, Lucas, Joyce, and Hop; working together toward the same goal: hunting down Vecna and saving Hawkins. Only this time, the stakes are higher, the danger feels more real, and the show makes it clear that no one is safe.

Character Dynamics & New Duos

One of the best surprises in Vol. 1 is the emerging dynamic between Will and Robin. Their quiet, emotional conversation about identity stands out as one of the most beautifully written scenes in the season so far. Robin’s speech; honest, vulnerable, and deeply human! doesn’t just push the plot forward; it enriches both characters in a way Stranger Things hasn’t done in a while.

Meanwhile, the iconic “big brother/little brother” energy between Steve and Dustin remains the emotional backbone of the show. But the writers have added layers of complexity to their relationship.

Vol. 1 does something fans have wanted for years: it revisits Will’s original disappearance. We finally get glimpses into who took Will in Season 1, why was he chosen, and how everyone may have underestimated him. These moments not only connect the final season back to the very beginning but also re-establish Will as a central, vital character; something long overdue. Will is not a poor child now who gets scared.

We also get a terrifying look at the Demogorgon, more monstrous than ever. Stranger Things somehow finds a way to make it even scarier and more unpredictable. And yes, it can die; just not in the way you expect. And that is something you wouldn’t have even thought.

Also, max is alive but in Vecna’s prison of his memories. And while everyone is busy thinking of the ways to save Holly; she has actually made a plan and is implementing it with Holly’s help. But Lucas is still by her side like a full Bollywood hero. Max’s interactions with Holly Wheeler are particularly interesting; when she told her all about Vecna and how she almost escaped but somehow ended up in the cave.

But even if she chose to not to escape anymore; Holly came as a light for Max; that sets the tone for what’s coming. It’s a smart writing move as for how Max is there with Holy and how Max knows the signs better than anyone.

Misses: Stranger Things 5

Jonathan Byers? A Character Stuck in Limbo. Now let’s talk about Jonathan, because honestly… he deserved better. This season gives him embarrassingly little screen time, and even when he’s present, he feels like a background extra in his own brother’s story and even when he is with Nancy. His emotional arc; once rich with brotherhood, responsibility, and quiet strength has been reduced to “the guy who stands beside Nancy” or “the person who is jealous of Steve.”

There’s a noticeable lack of tension between him and Nancy (which was the conflict last season). No unresolved romance, no personal stakes, no major emotional breakdown; nothing. It’s almost like the writers didn’t know where to place him, so they put him everywhere and nowhere at once. For a character who started as one of the emotional anchors of the show, this feels like a missed opportunity.

Madness & Moments

The Wheeler house attack? What a mad sequence.

Hands down one of the best opening shocks of the series. Holly disappearing gives MAJOR “Stranger Things Season 1; Will Byers” flashbacks. But now the stakes feel worse. The attack at the Wheeler house is gripping and terrifying. Holly’s disappearance shifts the whole season’s urgency. Overall: Suspenseful, emotional, and a major turning point.

DEREK; the Unexpected MVP of Season 5. The character no one asked for but everyone is suddenly defending like he’s their cousin from Dehradun. When the season dropped, everyone laughed at him including me yeah and even hated him; But by Episode 3, Derek somehow pulled the biggest character redemption arc we’ve had since Steve Harrington’s Season 2 glow-up. And it will be rude not to say but we did judge him too early. Derek went from background buffoon to accidental hero, and in the most Stranger Things way possible.

Episode 4: The Standout of the Entire Show

Episode 4 is, without exaggeration, one of the best episodes Stranger Things has ever produced. Cinematic, explosive, and emotionally charged, it feels more like a full-length feature film than a TV episode. The final battle sequence; demons, soldiers, civilians, grenades, flamethrowers, pure chaos is crafted with jaw-dropping precision. The two shocking twists at the end of Episode 4 leave you speechless and desperate for the next part.

Episode List: Stranger Things Season 5 Vol. 1

1. Chapter One: The Crawl: 1h 11m
Description: The gang is avoiding military interference, searching the Upside Down for Vecna. A new threat is nearby.

2. Chapter Two: The Vanishing of Holly Wheeler: 57m
Description: After an attack at the Wheeler house, Mike & Nancy deal with the fallout. El & Hopper go on a rescue mission.

3. Chapter Three: The Turnbow Trap: 1h 9m
Description: Will gets insight into Vecna’s next move. Holly explores new surroundings.

4. Chapter Four: Sorcerer: 1h 26m
Description: Military tightens control. Mike, Lucas & Robin plan an escape. El faces the enemy directly.

Stranger Things Season 5 Vol. 1 is 10/10. It is all about chills and nostalgia. The only heartbreaking part of this season is the wait. We now have to sit through the weeks until Christmas and then New Year’s Eve to finally witness how Stranger Things concludes and whether the Duffer Brothers can stick the landing. But if Volume 1 is any indication, the final season is strong, emotional, and crafted with incredible intention. Stranger Things Season 5 Vol. 1 is not just a return; it’s a promise that the end will be unforgettable.

****

Aditi Shaily is our in-house content writer at Content Pie, specializing in social media, content marketing, and Gen Z trends. A sitcom and TV series enthusiast, she often reimagines alternate endings and creative twists to her favorite shows. Born and raised in Uttarakhand, she finds solace and inspiration in the serene beauty of the mountains.

Courtesy of Netflix

Courtesy of Netflix

Courtesy of Netflix