Stranger Things Season 5, Volume Two, premiered on Christmas Day. Fans were excited. They expected a dramatic, emotional, and action-packed finale. Instead, many left disappointed.
Volume Two consisted of episodes five, six, and seven. Episode seven was the penultimate episode of the series. Key moments included Jonathan (Charlie Heaton) and Nancy (Natalia Dyer) ending their relationship. Viewers also learned that the Upside Down is actually a wormhole connecting Hawkins to Dimension X. Max (Sadie Sink) woke from her coma, which was revealed to be a Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower) trance. Meanwhile, Will (Noah Schnapp) revealed his sexual identity, a moment many hoped would carry emotional weight.
Despite these plot points, fans felt the season fell short. The episodes ran for just over two hours. Many expected a longer runtime given the hype. The Duffer Brothers and cast teased a dark, intense, and thrilling finale. They promised twists, big character deaths, and shocking reveals. Fans were expecting fireworks. Instead, the story felt rushed. Emotional moments lacked impact. The CGI for Vecna disappointed some viewers, appearing flat and unconvincing.
Rotten Tomatoes scored Volume Two at 73%. This is 13 points lower than the show’s previous lowest-rated season, Season 3. On social media, viewers shared their frustration. One fan criticized “filler scenes, boring monologues, and reunions with zero emotional weight.” Another wrote, “We waited over three years for this. And this is what they delivered.”
The disappointment mirrors what Game of Thrones fans felt during its final season. After years of storytelling and anticipation, the ending felt rushed and underwhelming. Complex arcs concluded too quickly, and many expected more satisfying resolutions.
Stranger Things will release its final episode in limited screenings on December 31. Its global Netflix premiere will run through January 1, 2026. Fans hope the true finale will deliver more of the excitement they were promised.
