Controversy about the well-known “Stranger Things” season five finale has struck all over the internet. Over the last decade, the show has become extremely successful, even being regarded as one of the greatest shows of all time. As the final season recently concluded, critics tried to say that it was terrible, and the show didn’t end the way they had hoped. Despite the criticism, fans explain that the ending was perfect, and argue that the season’s finale brought well needed closure to the series. Overall, it’s safe to say that the finale of “Stranger Things” was perfectly fitting for the series, and despite criticism, it was done well.
Throughout the last episode, the main characters work together, form a plan to kill Vecna, and eventually succeed. It was the perfect amount of chaos, conflict, and struggle for the characters, while still showing strength and resilience. The piece created a strong sense of emotion in viewers, resulting in an overall great ending to the show. A good example of this is near the end of the episode when El, one of the main characters, is shown to have sacrificed herself to save the world and her friends. Whether or not she truly disappeared is debated, and left to interpretation of the audience. Either way, it’s clear that meaning and closure was portrayed in the finale.
“Stranger Things” is very popular and nostalgic to many viewers, which has definitely caused some outburst since season five is the last and final season of the series. I think the reason people are so critical of the final episode is because they simply don’t want it to end.
Don’t get me wrong.
None of us want the show to end, but the directors and actors truly could not have done a better job at giving the series closure and meaning.
It’s understandable that the last episode was overhyped and that it wasn’t as mind blowing as expected, although it’s still a respectable piece of well written material and acting. In my opinion, the finale was as close to perfect as it could get.
The strongest aspect of the season finale was definitely the closure, emotions, and nostalgia it amplified for viewers, as it reverted back to the meaning of friendship among the characters.
It’s clear that the final episode was well executed and memorable, and will leave a strong impact on viewers.
Anna Fox ’26
Stranger Things” has always, as I’m sure for many, held a special place in my heart. Starting in 2016 the show has been around for a very formative decade of my life. When I got word that the final season was coming at the end of 2025, I was ecstatic. Coming off the heels of season four-in my opinion best season yet-I was curious to see what they would do to not only close the series but also how they would improve after an incredibly impressive season four.
To say I was disappointed would be an understatement. The whole season felt so rushed and just written with pure laziness. There were plot holes left and right and so many unanswered questions about the upside down and the creatures that inhabit it and rather than spend time answering those questions we had to waste it on rage baiting me with the possibility of character romance that NEVER ENDED UP HAPPENING. My biggest problem with the season has to be with how the group defeated Vecna. Vecna being the main villain that they have been trying to defeat since season four, I was expecting some “Avengers Endgame” styled battle. Instead, I received a battle that took maybe all of 10 minutes and at no point did it seem hopeless to our protagonist group. I’m sorry but that’s not only boring but also highly frustrating. You mean to tell me that I sat through about a 10-hour run time of a season just to watch them kill the antagonist in 10 minutes. The main reason I feel I was left disappointed in the show’s finale was because I had season four’s finale to compare it to. I say this without a doubt in my mind that “Stranger Things” season four finale is one of the best pieces of cinema I have ever laid eyes upon. Following the same antagonist, the group was able to defeat him while on completely different parts of the planet. Working together from Hawkins Indiana, Russia and California the writers outdid themselves with the run of the episode and were able to achieve a complicated story line while also tying up loose ends. Something that I felt season five did not accomplish in the slightest.
Though my whole point is to weigh in on the negatives, I was impressed and content with the epilogue. I felt the characters’ endings were fulfilling and left the audience at peace with the ending. Though the Duffer Brothers are lucky epilogues are at the end because I feel the epilogue was able to trick people into believing their finale was on par with the other writings.
All in all, I still love “Stranger Things” but because I love it, I have to acknowledge the flaws and I simply wish that season five lived up to the Duffer Brothers’ past writing.
Ryland Most ’26
