Millions of people all across the world sat down in front of their televisions on Nov. 26 and were met with the sad sounds of “Should I Stay or Should I Go” being sung by 12-year-old Will Byers, transporting viewers back to 1983 – the very beginning.
Throughout this review there will be major spoilers for the season, so read with caution.
Vol 1 of Stranger Things 5 was released on Nov. 26, Vol 2 on Dec. 25 and the finale on Jan. 1. The show is created by Matt and Ross Duffer and stars many well known actors such as Millie Bobby Brown, Sadie Sink, Maya Hawke, Natalia Dyer and Winona Ryder. The season is currently rated at 83% on Rotten Tomatoes.
The newest season begins 20 months after season four ended, giving Hawkins and its residents time to change. The first episode drops audiences right into one of the group’s routine crawls, where Hopper (David Harbour) goes into the Upside Down to search for Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower) while everyone else helps him from the regular world. However this time, something goes very wrong, and it’s the catalyst for one last adventure in Hawkins.
A new season means new character dynamics and arcs; one that has found its place in the hearts of many is Robin (Maya Hawke) and Will (Noah Schnapp). Robin has taken on a mentor role for Will, helping him navigate his queerness while also having a friendship that brings a breath of fresh air to the show. When Robin gave her talk to Will in the tunnels, the line, “I was looking for answers in somebody else, but I had all the answers,” resonated with many people who see themselves represented in these characters.
While there were good character arcs, there were also arcs that didn’t feel finished; Eleven’s (Brown) ending felt more like a hopeless defeat than a resolution. El suffered at the hands of many wretched people her whole life, only to take her own life as a way to break the cycle of abuse. The message El’s suicide sacrifice gives viewers isn’t a positive one, and doesn’t feel fitting or satisfying for her character.
Mike gives hope to the party that El is still alive in the epilogue, but viewers are left confused because of the contradictory statements given by the Duffers. In post season interviews, the brothers have been giving different explanations that confuse the viewers even more. One example that really frustrated viewers was the confusion around Mike’s reaction to Will’s coming out; the Duffers said in an interview that Mike understood that Will’s crush was on him, but later they retracted that statement and said he didn’t, leaving many confused and wondering if the Duffers have their own show fully fleshed out.
These inconsistencies also rear their ugly heads in the many plot holes of the show. Why was Will specifically taken, what was the point of Patty Newby in The First Shadow, why was the clear connection between Will (Noah Schnapp) and Henry not explored more? All of these questions build and build, and the Duffers answer with “it happened off screen” or they give two different answers in separate interviews; this doesn’t help the audience understand their questions.
Though the writers don’t have their act together, the cast does and the standout performance of the show is Sink as Max Mayfield. After being trapped in Venca’s mind for over a year, Sink gives a gut-wrenching performance in the fourth episode where Max recounts her memories of being stuck in Henry’s maze of memories. The line, “And I was so close,” made everyone’s heart break when they heard the hopeless desperation lingering in her voice, so close to getting out and reaching Lucas (Caleb Mclaughlin).
Alongside stellar acting is the period accurate costumes and makeup featured in the show. Costume designer Amy Parris, hairdresser Sarah Hindsgual, and makeup artist Amy L. Forsythe all bring an appearance to the characters that is authentically 80s, ranging from fun bangs on Robin and Joyce (Ryder), while also having other characters wear funky layered athletic wear like Eleven.
The music of the show also elevates it to another level; a standout song used in the credits is “Heroes” by David Bowie, connecting to the essence of the show. How the show utilises the songs makes the inclusion much more interesting. One example that stood out was how Robin uses the WSQK radio to signal to the group across Hawkins of a crawl using the song “Upside Down” by Diana Ross and uses “trivia” about the song to allow them to understand when and how the crawl is taking place.
The use of period accurate clothing, hair, make-up, set design and soundtrack all root itself in the 80s core of the show. It’s part of why the show is loved and adored by many across the world.
“Stranger Things 5” is a bittersweet ending to the show many people know, love and grew up with. Some characters got their well-deserved ending, while others felt like they had unfinished business that left some unsatisfied. Overall, though, the audience’s last adventure in Hawkins left mixed feelings.