Hawkins' heroes in Stranger Things 5Image via Netflix
By
Chris McPherson
Published 49 minutes ago
Chris is a Senior News Writer for Collider. He can be found in an IMAX screen, with his eyes watering and his ears bleeding for his own pleasure. He joined the news team in 2022 and accidentally fell upwards into a senior position despite his best efforts.
For reasons unknown, he enjoys analyzing box office receipts, giant sharks, and has become known as the go-to man for all things Bosch, Mission: Impossible and Christopher Nolan in Collider's news division. Recently, he found himself yeehawing along to the Dutton saga on the Yellowstone Ranch.
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His obsession with the Apple TV+ series Silo is the subject of mockery within the Senior News channel, where his feelings about Taylor Sheridan's work are enough to make his fellow writers roll their eyes.
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Stranger Things is back, and it's inescapable for most people. Netflix's biggest smash hit, which is a certainty to be number one across the world, has returned for its final season. But the question is — was it worth the wait? Well, if Rotten Tomatoes is to be believed, then yes, but with a note of caution. At time of writing, the fifth and final season's first part (yes, we're doing that again), is sitting at a Certified Fresh 84% from 45 reviews. Now, 84% is a decent score and should satisfy fans regardless, but that also happens to be the lowest score for the franchise by a small margin, and with time going on, that may change. For comparison, here's how the four previous seasons stacked up. One might say it highlights a law of diminishing returns.
- Stranger Things 1 — 97%
- Stranger Things 2 — 94%
- Stranger Things 3 — 89%
- Stranger Things 4 — 89%
Some criticisms include the show feeling "joyless", "grim" and characters who feel "stagnant" after so many years, while praise has gone to the scale and performances of the cast.
Is 'Stranger Things 5' Worth Watching?
Collider's own review of the first chunk of episodes rewarded the Duffer Bros' work with an 8/10 score. Robert Brian Taylor hailed the "patience" shown by the pair in refusing to bow to fan service, while criticizing the lack of action Mike is given — a common complaint from, oh, all the way back to Season 2?
Taylor was also pleased to see that the main cast were all working uniformly as a team this time, having been separated constantly in the past — Russia, anyone? — in a way that makes the show feel like it's back on safe ground. Taylor summed up:
There are one or two reveals here that likely won't be universally beloved by the fanbase, but they feel right for the story, all the same. Because of that, these four episodes make a statement that the Duffers are ending their series on their own terms, even while they serve as a culmination of everything that has come before. That's a good thing, and if Stranger Things can maintain that balance the rest of the way, the back half of the final season should be able to deliver the type of remarkable ending the residents of Hawkins and the viewers watching at home all deserve.
Stranger Things 5 is now streaming on Netflix.
Stranger Things
Like TV-14 Drama Mystery Horror Science Fiction Release Date 2016 - 2025-00-00 Network Netflix Showrunner Matt Duffer, Ross Duffer Directors Matt Duffer, Ross Duffer, Andrew Stanton, Frank Darabont, Nimród Antal, Uta Briesewitz Writers Kate Trefry, Jessie Nickson-Lopez, Jessica Mecklenburg, Alison Tatlock
7 Images
Eleven looking into an opening of the Upside Down with pink light in Stranger Things season 1
Jim Hopper (David Harbour) grabbing Jonathan's (Charlie Heaton) shoulders in Stranger Things season 1©Netflix/Courtesy Everett Collection
Eleven with cables all over her head in Stranger Things season 4
Vecna looking towards Will in the trailer for Stranger Things season 5 (2025)
Max and Eleven in Stranger ThingsNetflix
Stranger Things season 2, episode 2 "Trick or Treat, Freak".MovieStillsDB
The Upside Down in Stranger Things season 5Courtesy of Netflix Close
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Millie Bobby Brown
Jane 'Eleven' Hopper
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Finn Wolfhard
Mike Wheeler
When a young boy vanishes, a small town uncovers a mystery involving secret experiments, terrifying supernatural forces and one strange little girl.
Genres Drama, Mystery, Horror, Science Fiction Powered by
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