The Mind-Blowing Twists and Thrilling End of Stranger Things Season 5 You Can't Miss!

There are numerous possibilities for how Stranger Things season 5 could conclude the series in its ultimate season, and certain approaches should definitely be avoided as they would be obvious blunders. Given the high stakes for both the characters and the writers, there is immense pressure for the latter to deliver a satisfying ending by steering clear of these mistakes. Some errors may be more glaringly apparent, while others may be less so. The Duffer brothers can certainly glean lessons from the shortcomings of other shows, but they also have to navigate uncharted territory, considering the distinctiveness of Stranger Things.

While Stranger Things has generally maintained a consistent level of quality, consistently offering intriguing questions and rewarding resolutions, final seasons are notoriously challenging to handle (as seen in examples like Game of Thrones and Lost), and the temptation to rush through the narrative becomes all too easy. Character arcs may become contrived and questionable, the fundamental essence of the show could be forgotten, and fans are left perplexed and offended by shallow storytelling. Although audiences will be hoping for a superior outcome from Stranger Things, here are ten potential errors that could be unforgivable in its culminating season.

10 Stranger Things' Ending Doesn't Properly Pay Off Will's Sexuality Story

9 Stranger Things Season 5 Doesn't Explain The Upside Down

The focus of Will Byer's story in Stranger Things 4 revolved around his increasing dependence on and attraction to his close friend Mike Wheeler. Despite the lack of explicit exploration of Will's sexuality in the show, the actor Noah Schnapp has openly discussed it. While the upcoming final season seems to center around Will, it remains uncertain if his sexuality will receive the meaningful exploration it deserves. Stranger Things has already been praised for its portrayal of Robin Buckley's sexuality, so hopefully, they can give Will the same treatment.

The Upside Down, Stranger Things' enigmatic equivalent to the underworld, has its origin and history veiled in secrecy. Throughout the years of the show's airing, audiences have only been given meager scraps of information about this mysterious realm. What we do know is that it is an alternate dimension, similar to our own but existing outside the confines of time. Moreover, this dimension is infested with monstrous creatures who are connected through a hive mind. That's the basic concept. Various theories have emerged, suggesting that Will has a profound connection to the Upside Down since the first season, and some even speculate that Eleven may play a role in its creation. To avoid the Upside Down becoming a mere convenient plot device, it is crucial for the writers to shed some light on its intricate lore.

8 Strangr Things Season 5 Is Too Rushed

Most people are aware of the pitfalls that Game of Thrones season 8 suffered, and most viewers of the show would agree that it could have continued for several more years. This is particularly evident considering the number of unresolved plotlines that audiences were left with at the end of season 7. While it is commendable to end a series on a high note, the Duffer brothers must learn from the mistakes of David Benioff and D.B. Weiss. Characters require sufficient time to develop, and the audience can easily discern if they have been forced into predetermined positions on the figurative chessboard. Therefore, there should be no shortcuts taken in Stranger Things season 5.

7 Stranger Things Season 5 Ignores Dustin’s Grief Over Losing Eddie

Dustin Henderson, who formed a well-liked bromance with Steve Harrington in Stranger Things 2 and 3, found himself partnered with newcomer Eddie Munson, portrayed by Joseph Quinn, in season 4. As both were social outcasts, their friendship flourished naturally and profoundly. In Eddie's heartbreaking final moments, as he breathed his last in Dustin's embrace, the two professed their love for each other. Stranger Things must now illustrate Dustin's anguish over Eddie's tragic demise. Given all that he has endured, there can be no holding back Dustin's understandable devastation.

6 The Old Stranger Things Gang Back Doesn’t Get Back Together

Stranger Things 3 and 4 witnessed the separation of the core group of kids (Mike, Dustin, Lucas, Will, and Eleven) from the first two seasons, as they were scattered across multiple episodes due to various reasons. Furthermore, if we include Nancy, Johnathan, Steve, Joyce, and Hopper in this group, there have only been a few instances where everyone has gathered in the same room. To bring about a satisfying release of emotions and invoke nostalgia, it is crucial for the writers to reunite the entire gang one last time, as they prepare to confront Vecna – the ultimate battle that they have been building up to ever since they first encountered the Upside Down. The good news is that the Duffer brothers have already dropped subtle hints, leading audiences to anticipate this long-awaited reunion.

5 There’s No Satisfying Ending For Vecna In Stranger Things Season 5

When it comes to Vecna / Henry Creel / One, there is a lot that remains unknown about the mysterious mastermind behind the Mind Flayer. While Vecna's motivations were revealed in an explanatory 20-minute monologue during season 4 (along with the tale of his first foray into the Upside Down), the Duffer brothers have subtly hinted that there is still more to learn about him. As Vecna continues to be the primary antagonist in Stranger Things' final season, it is imperative that his story culminates in a satisfying conclusion befitting of a villain with such immense power and malevolence.

4 Stranger Things Season 5 Doesn't Have Enough 80s Nostalgia

Stranger Things and the longing for the 1980s have always been tightly interwoven since season 1. The world in which the characters exist feels rich in history and authenticity to those who lived through that decade. This is largely attributed to the exceptional work of the writers, who have expertly scattered 80s Easter eggs throughout the show's entire duration, much to the delight of the generation that grew up during that time. In order to captivate the audience once again, Stranger Things season 5 must fully embrace and immerse itself in nostalgia (particularly in the early episodes), reintroducing the viewers to songs that may have faded from memory, films unseen for decades, and other iconic elements that defined the 80s.

3 Max’s Role Is Reduced In Stranger Things Season 5

Max Mayfield's (Sadie Sink) role in Stranger Things season 4 cannot be underestimated. After her intense battle with Vecna, she finds herself in a comatose state. The Duffer brothers have promised that Max's coma will play a significant role in the final season, leaving viewers curious about how this will unfold. It is possible that Max may still have the ability to enter the Upside Down, even in her paralyzed state. Alternatively, she may assist Eleven in her endeavors. Regardless, Sadie Sink's outstanding performances have garnered praise from both critics and audiences, who eagerly anticipate her well-deserved screentime in the finale.

2 Stranger Things Season 5 Doesn’t Kill Off Anyone From The Original Cast

Though Stranger Things has a talent for introducing beloved characters at the start of each new season, only to ultimately end their lives as the season progresses, the original cast has consistently managed to survive even the most treacherous circumstances. As a result, the show's writers have yet to make any truly daring choices, while viewers are left constantly suspending their disbelief as minor characters face imminent death while the main cast always prevails. In order for Stranger Things season 5 to truly captivate its audience, it must summon the courage to bid farewell to at least one significant character from its inaugural season, or risk leaving viewers without a genuine sense of threat and suspense.

1 Stranger Things Season 5 Kills Off Too Many Main Characters

However, it is crucial to maintain a profound impact on audiences when a beloved character from the series meets their demise. Stranger Things has skillfully developed a strong bond between these characters and the viewers, making the loss of any one of them undeniably heart-wrenching. If the writers opt for an excessive approach in an effort to intensify the sense of peril to unprecedented heights, they risk diluting the emotional impact that the audience would have upon witnessing the demise of these characters. The pain caused by losing a single character is substantial, but if multiple characters were to meet the same fate, it would undoubtedly leave everyone feeling a profound sense of emptiness.