Stranger Things has remained one of Netflix’s most popular series since its debut on July 15, 2016. Ever since it hit our screens long ago, fans have been eagerly waiting for the final season to come out and answer all of their questions and address their many theories. With all three parts now available, reactions to the conclusion have been notably mixed.
Season five opens with Hawkins under heavy military control, attempting to contain the damage left behind from the previous seasons. As uncertainty remains over Vecna’s fate, the core group reunites once again to confront the lingering threat and prevent the town’s complete destruction. The season has a lot of high-stakes moments while also trying to provide narrative closure for all the characters.
Despite high expectations and strong anticipation, the final season did not fully satisfy all viewers. Critics generally left positive feedback on the Duffer Brothers’ ambition and commitment to end the season, but audience reactions were more split. The Rotten Tomatoes audience score dropped to around 56-57% as of late December, making it the lowest rated season of the show.
Much of the backlash followed episode seven, “The Bridge,” which includes Will Byers’ coming-out scene. While some viewers appreciated the emotional depth and character focus, others criticized the writing and pacing of the moment. The controversy contributed to the episode becoming the lowest rated of the series, with a 5.4/10 on IMDb.
While the finale of Stranger Things delivered emotional moments and long awaited character closure, it didn’t fully meet my expectations in terms of storytelling and payoff. After years of build up and discovering how powerful Vecna is as a villain in the series, his defeat felt surprisingly brief and less challenging than I anticipated. The absence of familiar creatures like demogorgons and demodogs during the final battle also made the climax feel oddly scaled down, when it should’ve been overwhelming and a little more challenging. Throughout the season, there were many examples of small continuity errors, such as inconsistencies in set details or dialogue choices that conflicted with established characters’ histories, which further pulled me out of the moment. While some of the details may seem pretty small, the show has built its reputation on careful storytelling and strong attention to detail, setting a pretty high bar and making such mistakes slightly disappointing to me and other viewers.
Despite the mishaps, the season was still able to capture the heart of Stranger Things: its characters. The emotional weight of the finale was elevated by the thoughtful use of music, including tracks by Prince and Fleetwood Mac’s “Landslide,” which perfectly enhanced the themes of nostalgia, growth and letting go. Even with its flaws, the series ends as a powerful reflection on friendship, sacrifice and coming of age. Stranger Things might not have delivered a flawless ending to some, but it remains a bold and heartfelt show that left a lasting impact on its audience.
