The first set of episodes from Stranger Things 5 have been released by Netflix, and fans have had mixed reactions.
READ MORE: ‘Stranger Things’ season five, volume one review: the big, bold beginning of the end
The first four episodes of the final season arrived yesterday (November 26), and see the show’s characters unite to fight against Vecna, as the rifts between the Upside Down and Hawkins have opened. Three more episodes will arrive on Christmas Day, with the finale dropping on New Year’s Eve.
Many fans have been eagerly anticipating the show, which was last on our screens three years ago. However, those who have watched the episodes have had differing reactions.
On the positive side, one fan on X (formerly Twitter) said of creators The Duffer Brothers: “You’ve cooked a f*cking MASTERPIECE.” Another added: “Stranger Things 5 is kinda…..good?” while one fan protested: “I can’t wait a fucking month.”
Stranger Things 5 Review:
Episode 1 –
Episode 2 –
Episode 3 –
Episode 4 – (THE standout!)
Duffer Brothers… you absolute geniuses.
You’ve cooked a f*cking MASTERPIECE
The wait for Volume 2 is about to feel like pure torture
— Ronnie (@ayushsarawagii) November 27, 2025
Stranger Things 5 is kinda…..good? pic.twitter.com/ybhmfwSIvz
— dan (@thealmightydan) November 27, 2025
Stranger things season 5 vol 1 done:
Spoiler free review:
Holy shit
Holy fucking shit
I have soooo many thoughts
And I can’t wait a fucking month.
— Shrike || EN Vtuber (@Shrike4MeVT) November 27, 2025
One user enthused: “Okay so season 5 has changed my life entirely oh my fucking god tears have been shed… stranger things what the fuck was that WHAT HAVE THEY BEEN FEEDING THE CREATORS.”
Okay so season 5 has changed my life entirely oh my fucking god tears have been shed… stranger things what the fuck was that WHAT HAVE THEY BEEN FEEDING THE CREATORS pic.twitter.com/JCLPyJTNSw
— 7th SoupRat (@rat_sticky) November 27, 2025
Some were not so happy, however. “I’m already very confused” complained one viewer, with another lamenting: “the acting, the effects, the pacing, the editing, the story, all just jumbled and weird like no way that was the majority of the last season of Stranger Things. Just the most random, nonsensical, watching another show type shit I’ve ever seen.”
watching stranger things 5 ep 1 and im already very confused
— j (@jalentinsley) November 27, 2025
the acting, the effects, the pacing, the editing, the story, all just jumbled and weird like no way that was the majority of the last season of stranger things. Just the most random, nonsensical, watching another show type shit i’ve ever seen
— Eleanor (@kimchii06) November 27, 2025
One fan felt it got off to a poor start before gaining momentum. “Just finished watching Stranger Things season five part one: A very slow start for the new season” they wrote. “If it didn’t have the twist in the final episode, I would have called it disappointing.”
Just finished watching Stranger Things season five part one: A very slow start for the new season. If it didn’t have the twist in the final episode, I would have called it disappointing. Feels like a very different show as I kept watching.
— Eddie Lara (@edsterrock) November 27, 2025
A common complaint was the that length of time between seasons means that the cast look decidedly older than their characters’ on-screen ages. “Bro the stranger things kids look so damn old” with another adding: “we literally could’ve did a time jump and picked up the story in college.”
Bro the stranger things kids look so damn old
— Little Lord FuckleRoy (@inky_king) November 27, 2025
all jokes aside, these stranger things kids look old as hell. we literally could’ve did a time jump and picked up the story in college
— leak // drake maye for mvp (@momoney_mojuri) November 27, 2025
NME’s Nick Levine gave the episodes four stars in his review. “Perhaps inevitably, volume one feels a lot like an appetiser for the rest of the season” he explained. “But even in piecemeal form, Stranger Things has a flair for epic and emotionally resonant storytelling. After all those years, this smart, big-hearted sci-fi show still has the power to turn your head upside down.”
The post ‘Stranger Things’ final season leaves fans divided: “What have they been feeding the creators?” appeared first on NME.
