Recommendations of the Editorial team
So much has happened in the real world since we last saw Stranger Things in the summer of 2023 that you’d be forgiven for not remembering where the Hawkins children and the demons that haunt them last stood. With Season Five, Volume 1 (four episodes), which will be released on Netflix on November 26th, we can help.
Vecna opened the gate to the shadow world
The fourth season focused on the backstory of the villainous Vecna. Also known as Henry Creel (Jamie Campbell Bower). He was revealed as ‘Number One’ to Millie Bobby Brown’s ‘Eleven’. Henry was one of Dr. Brenner’s (Matthew Modine) experiments. A child with telepathic powers who became the Pinhead of the Shadow World and, as revealed in the prologue to the new season, is the big villain behind everything that has happened since the series premiere. Vecna sought the victim of four people he could traumatize in order to break down the barrier between the real world and the shadow world. And that’s exactly what happened, right through Hawkins.
The fourth season ends with the typical particles of the shadow world drifting into the “real” Hawkins. It should also be noted that the Hawkins heroes probably weakened Vecna. He was set on fire, shot and fell before disappearing into the night. So it’s likely that he’ll recover to begin his endgame plans in Season Five.
Hopper made it back to Eleven
Much of season four revolved around Hopper (David Harbour), who was presumed dead at the end of season three – pre-Covid, seriously – and how he returned from Russia with some help from Joyce (Winona Ryder) and Murray (Brett Gelman). Despite tabloid rumors of on-set difficulties between the real-life cast, the dynamic between Hopper and his surrogate daughter Elf (Millie Bobby Brown) was crucial to the series’ success. And will almost certainly play a central role in the final episodes.
Will has always been connected to the shadow world
The revelation that Vecna played a role in Will’s (Noah Schnapp) disappearance in Season One may be shocking, but young Mr. Byers has always had a connection to the other side – be it in Season Two’s storyline with the Mind Flayer or through the goosebumps on the back of his neck when something is about to happen. This unique connection to the Shadow World – and possibly to Vecna himself – as well as the role the villain has in mind for him in his master plan, is sure to drive the final season.
Dustin lost his best Hellfire buddy
Do you remember Eddie Munson? Joseph Quinn played the Hellfire Club’s badass, but he died in the fourth season storyline trying to defeat Vecna while playing “Master of Puppets” to attract the attention of the creatures blocking access to the villain’s lair. We’ll miss Eddie, but what seems important to Season Five is that Dustin (Gaten Matarazzo) saw his new best friend die in his arms. For a long time, Dustin seemed to be the comic relief of the Losers Club version of this series, but trauma will shape his final arc, at least in the first block of new episodes.
Max Mayfield doesn’t run up hills anymore
Sadie Sinks Max played a big role in Season Four – and not just in making Kate Bush an icon for a new generation. Vecna needed her to open the portal to the Shadow World by using her trauma against her, but Elf saved Max by using her powers to perform a type of telepathic revival. The season ended with Max in a coma, her boyfriend Lucas (Caleb McLaughlin) by her side. The big question at the start of Season Five is whether Max’s consciousness might be elsewhere – and when it will return.