Season 5 of the smashing hit Netflix original, Stranger Things, began to roll out on the platform on November 26, much to the excitement of the Prairie High School student body after nearly three years of waiting.
The first four episodes, released as “ Volume 1” the day before Thanksgiving, each clock in at over an hour in runtime. After ending on a jaw-dropping cliffhanger, audiences are eagerly anticipating Volume 2, which is scheduled to drop on Netflix on the evening of December 25 — coinciding, of course, with Christmas Day. However, it doesn’t end there for eager viewers. The final episode of Stranger Things is set to release on December 31, right before New Year’s Eve. This final “episode” will run for over two hours and will even be available for viewing in more than 500 movie theaters across the country.
Season 4 of Stranger Things was released back in May of 2022, before any current Prairie High School students had even entered high school. While the years-long wait for the series finale may seem disproportionate compared to other television shows, students say the payoff may have been well worth it.
“It [Volume 1] felt like one big, long episode,” said PHS senior Emalyn Pierce. “It made me laugh and cry, and seriously kept me on edge. It was a really fun watch. I can’t wait to see the finale.”
Since the release of Season 5, Volume 1, social media discourse surrounding the show has exploded, with fans flooding platforms with theories about how the story will come to an end. Hallways and group chats at Prairie High School have become hubs for speculation as students debate character arcs, plot twists, and potential sacrifices across the board; From freshman, to seniors, to staff alike, it seems as though everyone is on board with the buzz.
Senior Brayden Peterson, a longtime fan of Stranger Things, agrees that Season 5 feels intense, but not without flaws.
“It was pretty good, but some parts felt confusing,” Peterson said. “The Upside Down feels more empty and less scary than before, but it’s still a good continuation of Season 4.”
Peterson, like many Prairie High School students, has grown up watching Stranger Things since its initial Season 1 release in 2016. Having analyzed Volume 1 with a critical eye, he maintains optimism for the episodes to come. With the show coming to a close during his senior year, the concluding season feels especially meaningful.
Both students have strong predictions for how the series might end, though neither knows for sure how the Duffer Brothers will conclude the story. Pierce predicts a major sacrifice from Will Byers, while Peterson expects several major character arcs to come full circle in the finale. Despite differing critiques, both students plan to binge the remaining episodes the moment they drop, 5 PM Pacific Time on Christmas Day. Pierce said she plans to watch with friends and her brother, while Peterson expects to finish the season in one sitting if possible.
Despite inevitable gripes and perceived plot inconsistencies, it’s undeniable that Stranger Things has long-established itself as a pop culture phenomenon. Many fans argue the series helped pave the way for Netflix’s massive success as a streaming service, setting a precedent for future original series on streaming television. Whether watching for the science fiction, drama, humor, relationships, action, or 80’s nostalgia, there’s aspects of the series for everyone to enjoy.
Episode four of Season 5 of Stranger Things has already been ranked on IMDb as the highest-rated episode of the entire series, across all seasons. For viewers considering giving the show a chance, there’s still time to start from the beginning before Volume 2 drops on Christmas Day.
