The fifth and final season of Stranger Things has proven to be polarising. While the action sequences and performances of the cast sustained the show’s broad appeal, the dip in storytelling was apparent.
The unresolved plotlines, in addition to a series of plot holes, seem to have dethroned ‘The Duffer Brothers’ (as they are oddly known) from the mantle of artistic brilliance they had inherited from fantastical storytellers like Tolkien. Although flawed, the series finale was by no means as disastrous or confusing as the ending of Game of Thrones.
Initially conceptualised as a limited series to be released in 2016, hinging on Winona Ryder’s established public image as its leading star: the series grew to become Netflix’s identity, with a dedicated fandom. Stranger Things’ timelessness cannot be credited solely to its supernatural elements, but rather its unique blend of the investigative, science fiction, 80s nostalgia, and adolescent themes.
Season 5 capitalised on these universal themes and the show’s signature ingredients of 80s-inspired transition and wonderfully choreographed action sequences to preserve the sense of thrill that had characterised it for years. For instance, the seamless movement of memory from one portal to another, coupled with the direction of Will Byers’ possession of Vecna, is a testament to the creators’ skillful use of cinematography and CGI to evoke tension.
Nevertheless, while Stranger Things has revolved around the menace of inter-dimensional creatures-at its core-it is a tale about family, friendships, and personal growth. As a coming-of-age narrative featuring lovable characters audiences have grown attached to, these endings were necessary to please the majority. Will’s acceptance of his sexuality, Joyce and Hopper’s happiness after all the risks they took for their children, and Steve’s evolution into a responsible mentor figure will resonate with people in everyday life.
Poignant storytelling, however, rests on raising the stakes, and the stakes are heightened when the danger is more pronounced. The Duffer Brothers’ reluctance to kill off some of their major characters ultimately undermined the sense of urgency posed by Vecna, stripping the series of the terror that had dominated older seasons. Vecna’s depiction as a supervillain capable of emotionally crippling his victims before forcing their surrender was extremely unnerving in Season 4.
However, his and the Mindflayer’s rather effortless defeat at the hands of a bunch of amateurs, in the absence of his demogorgon army (a widely recognized plot hole), rendered them underwhelming villains. The cluttered execution was evident in the insertion of monologues that could have been condensed to extend the final battle and better accommodate the missing fear factor.
Although the open-endedness of Eleven’s fate was intended to satisfy audiences by giving them the opportunity to ‘believe,’ this move once again reinforced the Duffer Brothers’ fixation on playing it safe. Their prioritization of comfort and familiarity in their creative choices was disappointing for a show that once thrived on risk.
While the latest season is definitely a letdown compared to the legacy of its predecessors, I appreciated the attempts to give the characters the ending they deserved after all they endured. Although some upset fans seem to blur the line between delusion and optimism, as they await a secret ninth episode: Conformity Gate, the Season 5 finale remains a must-watch.
