Get Ready for the Final Season of Stranger Things

HOLLYWOOD, Calif. — As the fifth and final season of “Stranger Things” approaches, fans are buzzing with anticipation. The first volume premieres on Netflix at 5 p.m. PT on November 26, bringing back beloved characters and introducing new twists in the story set in Hawkins, Indiana.

The journey began with Will Byers‘ mysterious disappearance and evolved through the emotional sacrifices of characters like Barb, Billy, Eddie, and Bob. Key storylines include Eleven regaining her powers, the revealing of Vecna as a formidable foe, and the impact of these events on the main characters.

To refresh viewers’ memories, creators Matt and Ross Duffer recently shared vital points to keep in mind before diving into this concluding chapter. They emphasized the relevance of season two’s mythology and season four’s pivotal moments, like the “Massacre at Hawkins Lab.”

“These are callbacks that resonate into season five, so revisiting them is important,” Matt told The Hollywood Reporter. He encouraged fans not to overthink the upcoming episodes, highlighting the joys of fan theories while acknowledging many may miss the mark.

The brothers also teased the show’s reliance on music to define the mood, with classic ‘80s hits playing a key role. Tracks like Kate Bush‘s “Running Up That Hill” and The Clash‘s “Should I Stay or Should I Go” set the atmosphere. They suggested listeners prepare with a mix of songs, aiming for both darker and lighter themes as the season unfolds.

Regarding new monsters, the Duffers indicated there won’t be new creatures introduced, focusing instead on enhancing the stories of existing threats like Vecna and the Mind Flayer. “We wanted to have fun with what’s already established instead of adding new monsters,” Matt explained.

The climactic finale of Season 5 will screen in theaters on New Year’s Eve, a unique event planned by the Duffer brothers to share the experience with fans collectively. “We wanted to create a moment where fans can watch their reactions together for the first time,” Matt said.

While the finale draws near, the Duffer brothers are excited about what they have prepared. They hinted at a particularly complicated scene that pushed logistical boundaries during filming. “It was the most complicated due to the number of people involved, and we were relieved with how it turned out,” Ross shared.

On the lore, viewers can expect connections between the final season and the upcoming animated spinoff, “Stranger Things: Tales from ’85,” which will feature familiar characters in a different format. While this series is separated from the main show, the Duffers encourage fans to keep an eye on continuity.

As the curtain falls on this chapter of the “Stranger Things” journey, anticipation looms over how the story will conclude, with promises of emotional highs, unexpected twists, and a nostalgic return to the beloved characters fans have followed over the years.