Over the years, “Stranger Things” has evolved, but has it been for better or worse? The show “Stranger Things” first aired on July 15, 2016, but it didn’t truly take off until around Halloween of that year, when its mix of 1980s nostalgia, suspense, and emotional storytelling captured the attention of millions. “Stranger Things” climbed to the top of Netflix shows from 2016 to November 2025, when Season Five of “Stranger Things” was released.
Because of its long run and massive popularity, expectations for the Season Five finale on Dec. 31, 2025, were extremely high. Fans hoped for shocking twists and an ending worthy of a show that had been talked about for almost an entire decade. However, for many viewers, the finale failed to deliver their hopes and expectations. Instead of the exciting, captivating ending they were anticipating, many fans were left disappointed and underwhelmed by the show’s last episode.
Many shared that the ending was a letdown and that they had expected much more. They felt many scenes were predictable and that there was too much filler throughout the final season. Fans also felt that the ending lacked the suspense that once defined the series. Several major moments, such as Vecna’s death thanks to the coordinated efforts of main characters Eleven (Millie Bobbie Brown), Will (Noah Schnapp), and Joyce Byer (Winona Ryder), were expected and, for many, did not live up to expectations.
(Spoiler Alert: Others felt that the “death” of Eleven was a cop out by the writers, while others argue that the final battle was too short compared to the episode’s lengthy focus on Will’s coming out.)
Many fans also questioned whether the finale we got was truly the ending. Theories have spread all over the internet, the most prominent one being that there is a second finale episode written called “Conformity Gate,” which, to my knowledge, we will never get to see. But I believe people are so focused on getting a second finale because they were so disappointed with the one that aired. Rather than the closure people desired, it left fans wanting more, not in a hopeful way, but because the story didn’t quite feel complete.
“It was a letdown, and I wanted more action,” said FCHS freshman Levi Smith. “The story, to me, just didn’t feel complete. I jut feel like they left something out,” he said.
I agree. For a show that we looked forward to for so many years and that defined an era of streaming television, the ending caused “Stranger Things” to lose some of its overall impact. Instead of celebrating the conclusion, fans are grumpily focused on what the show failed to give us: a satisfying and happy (or at least intriguing) ending. I give “Stranger Things: Season Five” a 6 out of 10 stars overall.
Was it really so much to ask the writers to give their loyal fans the ending they wanted? As the saying goes, “stranger things have happened,” and in this case, they did.
