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Credit: NetflixA new Stranger Things update hints that things are not going to be as predictable as we thought.
The season 4 finale of Netflix’s Stranger Things delivers an action-packed culmination typical of the series, with surprising character deaths and poignant moments. In episode 9, titled “The Piggyback,” Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) confronts Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower), leaving viewers on edge about the outcome. Meanwhile, Max Mayfield’s (Sadie Sink) fate hangs in the balance, emphasizing the power of friendship among Eleven’s companions.
As anticipation builds for the fifth and final season of Stranger Things, the season 4 finale gains added intrigue. The eventful episode sets the stage for season 5, promising an even more thrilling battle between good and evil.
Fans hope for a happy conclusion in Stranger Things season 5, but the final scene of episode 9 leaves a sense of foreboding. Eleven and her friends stand in Hawkins as ominous events unfold around them, signaling Vecna’s sinister plan taking shape. They brace themselves for the impending struggle against evil.
While details about Stranger Things season 5 remain scarce, the first episode, titled “The Crawl,” is confirmed. Expectations include Eleven’s heroic efforts to save Hawkins, the collective strength of her friends, and an ultimately uplifting resolution. However, with Stranger Things, surprises are always in store, keeping fans on the edge of their seats.
One thing that we do know about Stranger Things 5 is that it will not be as spread out as season 4 regarding where the plot takes place, and now, everyone will be in Hawkins. Even though Hawkins has been heavily explored at this point, it seems that we will still discover new areas of the town in season 5, based on this newly shown location.
The Stranger Things Spoilers page on X shared the news of a new filming location that the cast is currently filming at right now.
Filming Update: The cast of #StrangerThings5 are currently filming in a new house on Kanawha Dr in Stone Mountain, GA.
Filming Update: The cast of #StrangerThings5 are currently filming in a new house on Kanawha Dr in Stone Mountain, GA. pic.twitter.com/S0eC9hRa8g
— Stranger Things Spoilers (@SThingsSpoilers) March 28, 2024
This house is not one that has been seen in prior episodes, adding to the complexity of season 5.
Season 5 will be one episode shorter than season 4 and will also consist of shorter episodes – except for the big finale, which is set to be “pretty massive”.
“The runtimes being as long as they were was something of a surprise to us. Ross and I have been trying to analyze how they ended up that long, because the scripts aren’t even that long,” Matt Duffer told The Hollywood Reporter.
“We’ve realized that our writing style has changed a little bit, in terms of how we space out description. I think that added to some length. Also, we had an additional plot with Hopper in Russia. It’s a pretty dense season. We weren’t sure they were that long, really, until we got into edit.”
Ross added: “Our concern is pacing. If we can hold your interest for an hour and 15 minutes, then that’s a win. We did discuss breaking up [the finale]. We ultimately decided if it’s too long for someone, they can pause it and they can come back. It’s like reading a book. You can watch it at your own pace.”
In addition to shorter episode durations, the Duffer Brothers have hinted at a time jump in season 5 to address the natural aging of the young cast and align the characters’ ages with those of the actors.
In an interview with Variety, executive producer Shawn Levy said that the team would “use all the tools available to us” to make the actors look younger, with some inferring that digital de-ageing would be utilised to achieve the effect.
However, speaking with Deadline, Levy confirmed this was not the case, saying: “No, I kind of was surprised that one sentence I said around this topic travelled so widely.”
He continued: “The bottom line is, we know what we’re doing on this show. Our cast is brilliant. And these characters that the Duffers [Matt and Ross Duffer, showrunners] have created are so vivid. I’m not worried about everyone suiting back up and bringing them to life.”
As for the plot, when season 5 was initially revealed, the Duffer Brothers stated in a release that they had mapped out the “full story arc” seven years ago, and that the fifth season would mark the climax of that blueprint.
In a subsequent interview with SFX, they affirmed that the conclusion still aligns with “the basic outline” they devised, but it has evolved into something “more intriguing and thrilling” than they and Ross initially conceived.
They said: “We know what the ending is. It’s conceivable that it changes, but I think it’s unlikely because it’s one of those endings that just feels, and has always felt, right. And it also feels sort of inevitable. Then when you come up with it, you’re like, ‘Oh yeah, well, that is absolutely what is has to be.'”
Below is a full list of the cast we’d expect to be back for Stranger Things season 5:
- Noah Schnapp as Will Byers
- Sadie Sink as Max Mayfield
- Natalia Dyer as Nancy Wheeler
- Charlie Heaton as Jonathan Byers
- Joe Keery as Steve Harrington
- Maya Hawke as Robin Buckley
- Brett Gelman as Murray Bauman
- Priah Ferguson as Erica Sinclair
- Paul Reiser as Dr Sam Owens
- Jamie Campbell Bower as Peter Ballard/Henry Creel/One/Vecna
- Cara Buono as Karen Wheeler
- Gabriella Pizzolo as Susie
- Winona Ryder as Joyce Byers
- David Harbour as Jim Hopper
- Millie Bobby Brown as Eleven/Jane Hopper
- Finn Wolfhard as Mike Wheeler
- Gaten Matarazzo as Dustin Henderson
- Caleb McLaughlin as Lucas Sinclair
The season is also sure to tie in some details from the West End play, The First Shadow, which focuses on Henry Creel/Vecna’s backstory.
Season 5 is set to wrap in December 2024, meaning a 2025 release is likely.
Are you excited for Stranger Things season 5?