The beginning of the end is here, and it’s bigger, messier, and more emotional than ever. But while critics are divided, audiences are eating it up.
The wait is finally over. After a three-year hiatus that felt longer than a trip through the Upside Down, Stranger Things 5 has returned to Netflix with its first batch of episodes, and the reception is as chaotic and thrilling as the show itself. Volume 1, which includes the first four episodes of the final season, has officially dropped, and it’s a super-sized, explosive, and emotionally charged kickoff to the grand finale. While critics are pointing out the season’s overstuffed plotlines, fans are rallying behind it, creating one of the most significant critic-audience divides in the show’s history.
Critics and fans are at odds over the start of the final season, which currently holds the series’ lowest critic score on Rotten Tomatoes at 84%, while simultaneously boasting the second-highest audience score at a whopping 92% [3]. So, what’s causing the disconnect? Is Volume 1 a triumphant return to form or a bloated beginning of the end? The truth, much like the Upside Down itself, is a little murky.
Hawkins Has Fallen, and the Stakes Have Never Been Higher
Volume 1 picks up a year and a half after the devastating events of Season 4, which saw Vecna succeed in tearing open a massive gate, merging Hawkins with the Upside Down. The town is now a militarized zone, a hellscape teeming with supernatural threats and government oversight. This isn’t the quiet, suburban horror we first fell in love with; this is a full-blown, Red Dawn-esque warzone, and our heroes are right in the thick of it.
From the jump, the Duffer Brothers waste no time, throwing viewers right back into the action. The Hawkins crew—splintered but united in purpose—is on a desperate mission to find Vecna and end his reign of terror for good. Hopper and Joyce are helping Eleven hone her powers, while the rest of the gang coordinates a covert resistance. Max remains in a coma, a constant, heartbreaking reminder of their failure and the sky-high stakes of this final battle. The fast pace is a welcome return, but it’s also the source of the season’s biggest criticism.
Caption: The cast of Stranger Things returns for one final adventure in Season 5
Credit: Netflix
Source: Netflix
Critics Cry Foul on an Overstuffed Season
While the ambition of Stranger Things 5 is undeniable, many critics argue that its massive scope comes at a cost. With a sprawling cast and countless dangling plot threads, Volume 1 often feels like it’s juggling too much at once. As Kara Hedash of Screen Rant notes, “the scope of Stranger Things has become so big, with its added world-building and lore, that these split narratives make the show feel too convoluted” [2]. The show splits the characters into smaller groups, a classic Stranger Things trope, but with so much ground to cover, some storylines and characters feel underserved.
One of the most common complaints revolves around the show’s tendency to get bogged down in its own mythology. Liz Shannon Miller of Consequence points out that “what hinders the show is its overly dense mythology, as well as its reliance on cliches and borrowed plot elements” [3]. This sentiment is echoed by Michael Walsh of Nerdist, who describes the episodes as “overly long” and feeling more like a “five-hour movie” than a focused television season [1]. He calls the start of the season “a lot. A lot, a lot,” a sentiment that perfectly captures the feeling of being overwhelmed by the sheer amount of stuff happening on screen.
Even long-running subplots are starting to wear thin for some, like the seemingly endless love triangle between Nancy, Jonathan, and Steve, which some critics have called “groan-worthy” [3]. It’s a classic case of a show trying to do everything at once, and in the process, losing some of the focused, character-driven magic that made it a phenomenon in the first place. For a deeper dive into how Netflix is handling the aging cast, check out our previous coverage on how Netflix is de-aging the cast for the final season.
Fans Fire Back: An Emotional Rollercoaster Worth the Price of Admission
Despite the critical complaints, audiences are absolutely living for the chaos. The 92% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes is a testament to the deep connection fans have with these characters and this world. For many, the emotional payoffs in Volume 1 far outweigh the messy plot. And boy, are there payoffs.
Noah Schnapp is being universally hailed as the MVP of these first four episodes, delivering a powerful, heart-wrenching performance as Will Byers finally steps into the spotlight. His journey is the emotional core of the season, and his scenes, particularly a standout storyline with Maya Hawke’s Robin, are being called some of the most moving in the series’ entire run [1]. It’s the kind of deep character work that fans have been craving, and it’s a major reason why audiences are so willing to forgive the season’s flaws.
The action and horror have also been cranked up to eleven. Critics and fans alike are praising the season’s massive set pieces, especially a jaw-dropping battle in Episode 4 that Laura Martin of BBC.com calls “Stranger Things at its best” [3]. The visuals are bigger, the Demogorgons are scarier, and the stakes feel terrifyingly real. It’s a non-stop thrill ride that delivers the kind of blockbuster spectacle that has become the show’s signature.
Caption: The Hawkins crew reunites to face Vecna in the final season
Credit: Netflix / Courtesy Everett Collection
Source: Deadline
What’s Next for Hawkins?
With Volume 1 in the rearview, the stage is set for an epic conclusion. Vecna’s endgame is becoming clearer, and the heroes are more determined than ever. But with only four episodes left, there’s still a lot of ground to cover. Volume 2 is set to release on Christmas Day, with the grand series finale arriving on New Year’s Eve [4].
Will Eleven be strong enough to defeat Vecna once and for all? Will Max wake up from her coma? And will the show manage to stick the landing and deliver a satisfying conclusion to one of the most beloved series of the modern era? If Volume 1 is any indication, it’s going to be a wild, emotional, and unforgettable ride to the finish line. For more on what to expect from upcoming shows, you can read about the latest on the Lanterns HBO series.
Ultimately, Stranger Things 5 Volume 1 is a fascinating case study in what happens when a show becomes a global phenomenon. It’s big, it’s loud, and it’s trying to be everything to everyone. For critics, that’s a recipe for a bloated mess. But for fans who have grown up with these characters, it’s a glorious, emotional, and deeply satisfying reunion. And with the fate of Hawkins hanging in the balance, you can bet that millions will be tuning in this holiday season to see how it all ends.
References
[1] Walsh, Michael. “STRANGER THINGS 5, Volume 1 Is A LOT (Review).” Nerdist, 26 Nov. 2025, nerdist.com/article/stranger-things-5-volume-1-review/.
[2] Hedash, Kara. “Stranger Things S5 Vol. 1 Review: The Show’s Massive Scope Diminishes A Strong Start To The Season.” Screen Rant, 26 Nov. 2025, screenrant.com/stranger-things-season-5-volume-1-review/.
[3] Campbell, Christopher. “Stranger Things: Season 5 First Reviews: A Thrilling, Immersive, Wholly Entertaining Finale.” Rotten Tomatoes, 26 Nov. 2025, editorial.rottentomatoes.com/article/stranger-things-season-5-first-reviews/.
[4] Felt, Klein. “Stranger Things 5 Reviews Show Huge Split Between Critics & Fans Scores.” The Direct, 27 Nov. 2025, thedirect.com/article/stranger-things-5-reviews-split-critics-fan-scores.
