Over the past nine years, “Stranger Things” has accumulated over one billion views. As a comfort show for millions of people all around the world, the final season gained the title of Netflix’s biggest English-language debut. This set a new Nielsen record for weekly streaming minutes.
Creators and directors Matt and Ross Duffer, better known as the Duffer Brothers, started “Stranger Things” out of their love for 1980s pop culture. Their work is heavily influenced by directors Tim Burton, Steven Spielberg, and Stephen King. The brothers are predominantly known for combining sci-fi and horror with the nostalgia of the 80s.
In season five, Hawkins, Indiana, is quarantined from the outside world, forcing the main four to fight one last battle against Vecna. Similar to season four, Kate Bush is an important part of the season, helping Max find her way through Vecna’s mind. Similarly, Holly is drawn into Vecna’s mind with other kids from Hawkins, where she struggles to determine whether he is a hero or a monster. Throughout the season, the group confronts both Vecna and the hive mind, though the season ultimately ends with an underwhelming outcome.
Fans have been waiting for the new season since 2022, putting intense stress on the Duffer Brothers. In the documentary “One Last Adventure,” which shows a behind-the-scenes perspective, the brothers described the new season as the “most difficult writing circumstance,” and they were “hammered constantly” by Netflix for a strong ending while having no flexibility with time. The environment was chaotic, with millions of people holding different opinions on how the show should end, adding to the already considerable stress.
In my opinion, the ending was well-rounded and gave each character a new path for their life. I’ve seen many people describe it as rushed, and while I agree to some extent, I understand why, given the time constraints. The high expectations from fans are understandable, as a majority of watchers have grown up with this show, but I dislike the fact that people are pressuring the Duffer Brothers to make a whole new episode with an ending they like better. The final scenes weren’t as chaotic as we may have expected, but knowing all the characters are living new, happy lives is exciting enough. In addition to people wanting a new episode, theories and predictions filled the media in the months leading up to and after the release of the season.
The biggest theory people had after watching the final episode is called “conformity gate.” The theory states that the series finale was fake and there would be another ninth episode. Fans describe the eighth episode as a set-up for the “real finale,” which would have been released Jan. 7 because of inconsistencies in the show that made the ending seem like an illusion. Examples of this are Will, played by Noah Schnapp, making strange references which gave people the idea he was possessed by the hive mind once again, along with Karen Wheeler, played by Cara Buono, having scars at the high school graduation, but being scar-free in the last scene. The main reason this theory came about was because the seemingly happy ending seemed too good to be true, knowing the show’s classic twists. Theorists suggest that the Duffer Brothers were placing viewers into Vecna’s manipulative mind, making us victims ourselves. Unfortunately, this theory was false as no episode came out Jan. 7.
Overall, I enjoyed the new season. It could have been better if there weren’t such harsh deadlines, but after thinking about it, I don’t mind the calm, happy ending. Despite the backlash on social media, “Stranger Things” will continue to be one of my favorite shows, and if you haven’t already, I highly recommend watching the series.
