A decade-long television phenomenon that captivated a global audience and redefined original storytelling is finally drawing to a close. Stranger Things season 5 volume 1 is now streaming on Netflix, marking the beginning of the end for one of the platform's most-watched series ever.
The show's creators, Matt and Ross Duffer, recently sat down with Metro in a London hotel, sharing their candid feelings about releasing this final chapter. They admitted that the prospect of fan reactions is 'terrifying', a sentiment underscored by the fact that the surge of viewers logging on to binge the new episodes at release caused the Netflix platform to crash.
The Emotional Weight of a Finale
'You have ideas of how they're gonna react, but you never know,' Matt Duffer explained. He described the process as both terrifying and exhilarating, highlighting the unpredictable nature of audience connection. The creators invested three and a half years into this season, a period filled with immense pressure and creative challenges.
Filming the final episode proved to be an emotionally gruelling experience for the twin filmmakers. 'On a sheer, gut-punch emotional level, the final episode was hard to film,' Matt revealed. He cited not only the most logistically complex scenes they have ever attempted but also the profound difficulty of saying goodbye to characters conceived a decade ago and the actors who brought them to life.
Ross Duffer added that the show's intensity has significantly increased since its first season. This final run introduces younger characters, including Holly Wheeler and her classmates, into major roles, placing them in harrowing situations that substantially up the horror ante.
Standout Performances and New Dynamics
The new season showcases powerful performances from its cast, with two actors receiving particular praise from the creators. Gaten Matarazzo, who plays the beloved Dustin Henderson, delivers a stunningly different performance. His character is in a dark place, deeply affected by the death of his friend Eddie Munson in the previous season.
'Gaten, he is incredible this year,' Matt stated. 'We pushed him this year to see how far he could take it. He's incredible, you really do see a different side of him this year.'
Another character stepping into the spotlight is Karen Wheeler, portrayed by Cara Buono. After being largely shielded from the supernatural threats of the Upside Down, Karen is now fully in the know. Ross Duffer explained that this finally allowed them to explore a new dimension of her character. 'Nancy's not tough like that for no reason, and she certainly didn't get it from Ted,' he said, hinting at a fiercer side of the Wheeler matriarch now being revealed.
Audience and Critical Acclaim
Early reactions from fans and critics have been overwhelmingly positive. Viewers have taken to social media to express their excitement, with one fan on X, Giselle, praising the 'cinematic' ending of episode four. Another, Hailey, called it the best episode so far.
In a five-star review for Metro, TV Editor Sabrina Barr wrote that the final moments of episode four gave her 'full-body chills' and described the season as a reminder of why audiences fell in love with television. She expressed confidence that the Duffer Brothers would successfully conclude the series with the remaining four episodes.
Stranger Things season 5 volume 1 is available to stream on Netflix from Thursday, November 27, 2025. The release of volume 2 will bring the epic story to its ultimate conclusion.
