‘Stranger Things 5’ Begins To Bring the Upside Down Saga Full Circle With Large Scale Suspense

Alci Rengifo

Netflix’s “Stranger Things 5” has finally arrived, three long years after the fourth installment of the hit series. That is quite a stretch of time between seasons, yet fans have remained loyal while anticipating its return. In what is becoming more typical at the streamer, this season is divided into two volumes, and will also be followed by a feature-length series finale. The “Volume 1” episodes finally let the plot begin to come full circle. Though at only four episodes, creators Ross and Matt Duffer love to take their sweet time, letting the entries run from one hour to the feature-length cliffhanger, which gives devotees several hours to bask in all the paranormal suspense and ‘80s nostalgia that “Stranger Things” is known for. But with volume one officially marking the beginning of this show’s final round, let’s hope the Duffer brothers start delivering some long-awaited answers to old questions in volume two.

It is now 1987 in Hawkins, and the fictional Indiana town has become a quarantined zone. The Upside Down is continuing its attempts to break through into the world, with great strides made at the end of season four. The military has responded by filling miles of gaping cracks to create a barrier between Hawkins and this underwood, and is continuing to amp up its defense. Those left of our young band of heroes are still juggling life with their knowledge of the threat being posed by the Upside Down and its lead demon Vecna. Mike (Finn Wolfhard), Lucas (Caleb McLaughlin), and Dustin (Gaten Matarazzo) are in high school, facing bullies and their despair over the fate of Max (Sadie Sink), who is still in the hospital, trapped in a coma. Meanwhile, hiding away from the troops are Joyce (Winona Ryder), Jim (David Harbour), and Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown), who recovered her powers near the end of season four and is now testing their limits. This is crucial to both defeat Vecna and combat the military, who want her dead. The military mission is now headed by Dr. Kay (Linda Hamilton), who is obsessed with getting Eleven. There is another threat looming from a surprising source, Will (Noah Schnapp). It seems that during his time trapped in the Upside Down back in season one, he was forced into a bonded connection with Vecna, and its impacts are becoming more clear.

While the Duffer brothers like to boast about the scale of “Stranger Things,” their trick is in extending the suspense like a rubber band. Take away the lengthy action scenes and you realize the real crucial developments happen within the last 10 minutes of the finale. The difference between this and a poorly developed show, is that these showrunners know how to make it fun, as we inch our way to those critical moments. Nostalgia is key, from its famous opening aping ‘80s B movies to those moments of teenage tenderness. Steve (Joe Keery) gets distracted by his feelings for Nancy (Natalia Dyer) even when everyone knows the priority is looking for Eleven. This of course annoys Jonathan Byers (Charlie Heaton), who is stuck in the nightmare of competing with Steve for the same girl. Lucas sits next to Max’s hospital bed, trying to see if there is any sign of life, playing “Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God)” on a tape player. It’s also a sly nod at the way “Stranger Things 4” made the song a chart topper again, introducing Kate Bush to a whole new generation. There are other needle drops, of course, though not as effective. Robin (Maya Hawke) is now a vivacious radio DJ who uses Diana Ross’ “Upside Down” to send a specific code to the rest of the gang. It’s such an obvious song choice for this show that you wonder if the Duffers were just saving it for the closing season. 

There has been some pre-release hype over the gore this season and “Volume 1” does ramp it up with some merciless developments. Nancy’s sister, young Holly Wheeler (Nell Fisher, replacing twins Anniston and Tinsley Price) becomes the first victim of a nefarious move by Vecna, who takes the form of Mr. Whatsit, a friendly-looking stranger who befriends Holly. After winning her trust, a savage Demogorgon attack takes place where someone meets a brutal end and Holly is snatched away into Vecna’s mindscape. Other children will also become targets for reasons to be revealed, no doubt, in “Volume 2.” The Wheeler family just doesn’t catch a break. The Upside Down becomes even more of a gooey presence with its crimson storm clouds in this season. Dr. Kay’s headquarters are even stored in its interior, in particular because she happens to be hiding someone as well. It becomes so much about the sheer action now that Winona Ryder is nearly pushed to the far background, playing the worried, protective mom when necessary (though she always does it so well). 

Much of these twists are establishing larger storylines that will play out in the grand finale. As with many first halves in a Netflix series, we are getting plenty of set-up, like the reconnaissance mission into the Upside Down that Jim begins with Eleven. The rest of the friends add finding Holly to their mission of eventually finding Eleven, including hatching a scheme that involves luring a Demogorgon in order to track the flower-headed monster. The final episode is the most gripping as a spectacular showdown commences involving Vecna, with Will discovering the extent of how much he has been changed by his link to this villain. The effects and suspense are handled well enough to where we stop noticing how much the cast has grown. We can’t possibly believe a mere year has elapsed between the events of “Stranger Things 4” and this season in the story’s timeline. At least it is now all coming full circle, with this first serving closing on some great stunners paving the way for a worthy showdown. 

“Stranger Things 5: Volume 1” begins streaming Nov. 26 at 8 p.m. ET on Netflix.