If you own a TV, you have probably heard of the widely popular Netflix original series: Stranger Things. Every couple of years, Stranger Things resurfaces in the headlines when it releases new, strategically put-together seasons that take years to assemble because of their detailed writing, professional acting and advanced CGI. However, this year, the Duffer Brothers, the show’s writers, creators, directors and producers have one last hoorah as the series comes to an end in its fifth and final season. The way the episodes in the last season are released is also strategic, taking over the holiday season and wrapping up 2025. Each episode spans from almost an hour to over two hours long, the first four of which were released on Thanksgiving day. The next three are announced to be released on Christmas Day and the 2 hour and 5 minute finale will be released on New Years Eve. It was even announced that the long finale will be playing in exclusive movie theaters on December 31st and January 1st, one of which being the Cinemark in the Willowbrook mall, just 15 minutes from James Caldwell High School! But don’t get too excited; after just two hours of pre-sale tickets being released, they were sold out completely for opening night.

Ever since the show’s debut in 2016, when seniors at JCHS were 8-9 years old  and freshmen were as young as 4, families have been hooked on the eerie and dramatic storyline. So, the show being popular for the majority of these students’ childhoods, the final season is very nostalgic for many people. With the actors portraying characters that are similar in age, it could feel like they are growing up along with them. However, if you haven’t seen the show yet, there is still time to watch the finale during all the commotion. The combined duration of seasons 1-4 is 34 hours and 43 minutes and is commonly binge-watched. Watching the show is also said to feel like watching one big movie because of how well each season and episode meshes with the next; the continuous plot progression; and lovable, distinct main characters.

Premise: The science fiction show is located in the small town of Hawkins, Indiana during the 1980’s. The plot begins when a young boy, named Will Byers, played by the famous actor Noah Schnapp, disappears. His three friends, Mike, Dustin and Lucas along with his mother and the local police chief, Hopper begin to uncover clues about him vanishing and they discover certain corruptions in the government and an alternate dimension which was named the “Upside Down” thanks to its striking resemblance to their own world, yet terrifying and dangerous atmosphere. Early on another character is introduced, played by the notorious Millie Bobbie Brown, a girl with extraordinary powers who escapes from a lab she grew up in. She is referred to as Eleven and she becomes a good addition to the group and the search for their friend. The show is heavily influenced and often alludes to the popular game in the 80’s, Dungeons and Dragons, being the young boys favorite game.

After the dreadful ending of Season 4, which was released three summers ago, audiences were eager to see the fate of Hawkins. When asking a group of randomly selected JCHS students how they feel about the first four episodes they all responded positively saying it was “worth the wait” and “significantly better than the majority of the seasons”. One student highlighted the final episode that was released commenting, “It was very interesting, but especially the last episode. It was crazy!”.

Without spoiling it, the new season seems to be more intense than the previous four, every episode unpacking plot points and drawing up more questions about the truth surrounding the Upside Down and why this town has had to suffer for so long. Intent fangroups have created various theories to the ending of the show, just creating more anticipation for the finale. References to the earlier season and small details connecting the dots excites viewers. Continuing with the Dungeons and Dragons references, there are also many new allusions to the fantasy novel, A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle to add more depth to the viewing experience.

Personally I forgot how much I enjoyed watching this series, but with every new season, it has always been something my whole family wants to binge. After watching the first four episodes I can’t wait until more are released. However, I am happy I get this time to rewatch the old episodes, since there are many things I probably missed that can reveal to me the show in its full artistic beauty. The show has a good mix of science fiction, while also staying realistic with the complex emotions and relationships of all of the characters involved. It is a heavy show, but it stays light with humor sprinkled into each episode. Every character has depth and a unique backstory making the audience’s attachment to them strong—grieving and celebrating alongside the main players. The soundtrack is also very fitting and it heightens the mood of the scenes (such as songs like Kate Bush’s “Running Up That Hill”, which spiked in popularity after Season 4 of the show).

So far, the first four episodes have already achieved over 59.6 million views, making last week the biggest premier week ever for an English language show in Netflix’s history. When asking the same group of seniors their feelings on the upcoming episodes, all of them used the word, “excited”, unanimously expressing that “They want to watch it now” and “don’t want to wait”. One student confessed she “wished they had more showings in movie theaters”, but added, “it is probably more meaningful to watch it at home with family”. As this landmark series nears its end, grab your popcorn, a blanket and some tissues: this is not something you want to miss.