“Stranger Things” is coming to an end with Season Five. Volume One, released the day before Thanksgiving, started the beginning of the end. “Stranger Things” has been building up for this season since 2016, and this season is the biggest battle the characters will ever face. “Stranger Things” is one of the most hyped-up shows of 2025, with fans having to wait years for its release.
Volume One picks up where Season Four left off with four episodes that raise the stakes in Hawkins. Characters return to Hawkins to fight the newly evolved threat of Vecna. The group struggles with learning Vecna’s new strategies, and tension within certain characters creates new conflicts. Hawkins is being controlled by a new force, restricting the crew from learning about Vecna and his plans. Characters are met with difficult and impulsive decisions, leading to sticky situations and difficult answers. Volume One has set the stage for a massive battle that will decide the fate of Hawkins and the rest of the world.
I did find some weaknesses throughout the show, but I only found two. The first weakness is acting. For the most part, the acting was great, but it wasn’t always the best. Part of the reason is the actors are not kids anymore and don’t get as much credit as when they were younger. Part of the reason could be because a lot of the actors haven’t done many movies in between seasons because of how big “Stranger Things” is. Take Noah Schnapp, for example: he hasn’t been in many movies since “Stranger Things” started, and his acting this season wasn’t as good as I thought it could have been. My only other weakness would be that some characters, like Jonathan, didn’t get as much of a solo storyline like in previous seasons. We only see Jonathan with Nancy in Volume One with him being insecure about his relationship, but this will likely change in the next volumes. Another weakness is the absence of Yuri and Enzo. They were such a big part of the Russian storyline in Season Four and are nowhere to be seen so far in Season Five.
On the contrary, Volume One had many strengths. The strengths I found were CGI. The CGI this season so far was fantastic compared to seasons like One or Two. The scenes with the Demogorgon were incredible and almost looked like the Demogorgon would pop out of your screen. The lighting and color of the CGI were incredible, with colors popping out of the screen and the Upside Down looking more eerie. Vecna’s mind had a great color scheme, with his memories looking vibrant. Music: I would argue that Volume One’s soundtrack could set the stage for the best soundtrack in “Stranger Things.” Songs like “Upside Down” by Diana Ross, “Fernando” by ABBA, and “I Think We’re Alone Now” by Tiffany were, in my opinion, the best songs of Volume One. Music adds so much to the characters and tone of episodes, and I thought the soundtrack was executed perfectly. Great pacing: Every episode kept me engaged and wanting more. Every episode felt more important, with the plot building and building. Episodes two to three to four had amazing pacing, with every episode building the intensity and desire to watch the next.
I would rate Volume One a 9.6/10. My rating is based on music, CGI, pacing, color, engagement, acting and emotion. There is not much wrong with this season so far. The only knocks I have on it were the acting and absence of important past characters. Volume One did a fantastic job of keeping me engaged and wanting more after every episode.
I personally love “Stranger Things” and have watched all the seasons twice. I have been waiting for Season Five ever since Season Four came out in 2022. I think “Stranger Things” Volume One will be one of the best TV shows of the year. I love the character development of multiple characters throughout the show like Steve or Lucas. The Duffer brothers did such an amazing job writing the story and evolving characters throughout the seasons.
“Stranger Things” has a huge impact on people today, with millions upon millions of people watching every season. “Stranger Things” is one of Netflix’s biggest shows and will most likely grow in popularity as the second and third volumes come out. Volume Two will come out Dec. 25 at 8 p.m. and Volume Three will come out Dec. 31 at 8 p.m.
Season Five, Volume One didn’t waste any time and kicked off the end of “Stranger Things” with suspense and cliffhangers. It has successfully raised the stakes for Volumes Two and Three and will keep fans eager for the next volumes. I would recommend it to anyone who loves “Stranger Things” or enjoys supernatural stories with character development.
