‘Stranger Things 5: Volume 2’: The Final Countdown Continues With Crackling Action Tempered by Genuine Emotion

Alci Rengifo

“Stranger Things 5: Volume 2” pulls few stops in setting up its legions of fans for the most anticipated series finale in streaming. Creators Ross and Matt Duffer truly begin tying up loose ends and setting up the final showdowns. It is not hyperbole to call it a massive undertaking, since on surface level alone most episodes clock in over an hour, at times close to feature length. At times it feels like almost too much action over narrative, though there is still enough youthful poignancy to go around. In its nostalgia and famous soundtracks, “Stranger Things” is an offspring of classic ‘80s adventures. Characters in this volume openly reference “Star Wars” as a guide to resolving their plight. Such details help “Volume 2” feel like the climax of one of those classic movies, except fans have been waiting close to a decade for it.

In the aftermath of “Volume 1,” when the Upside Down’s main villain, Vecna, revealed to Will (Noah Schnapp) that he now has the 12 captive children necessary to be his “vessels” for world dominance, our gang of young heroes are regrouping to take down their foe. Some of them are spread out. Joyce (Winona Ryder) and most of the teens, including Mike (Finn Wolfhard), Lucas (Caleb McLaughlin) and Robin (Maya Hawke), along with Murray (Brett Gelman), Dustin (Gaten Matarazzo), Steve (Joe Keery), Jonathan Byers (Charlie Heaton) and Nancy (Natalia Dyer) are meanwhile wandering around out reaches of the Upside Down, or a zone where it is encroaching like a malevolent power. Eight (Kali Prasad) reunites with Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) and Jim (David Harbour) in the outer reaches of the Upside Down, detailing how she escaped the Hawkins Lab. The story’s key focus, though, shifts to Holly Wheeler (Nell Fisher), who is now in another realm that looks like a postcard vision of suburbia with Vecna’s other child captives. They are watched over by Henry (Jamie Campbell Bower), Vecna’s human form. 

Ever since “Stranger Things 4” established the idea of this series delivering overly long (but well-crafted) episodes, the showrunners have mastered the art of stretching out time with lots of action. In-between the chases, flashbacks and psychic battles, the best moments in this series are when it quiets down for thoughtful drama. Sometimes the action does make for emotionally stirring scenes, as in this volume when Lucas rushes down a hospital corridor, carrying a still comatose Max (Sadie Sink) as they are chased by ravenous Demogorgons. And there will always be this show’s expert use of music, like the haunting use of Moby’s “When It’s Cold I’d Like to Die” during an emotional reunion. Jonathan and Nancy, seeming to be fatally trapped in a flooding room, have one of the series’ best monologues, full of such genuine emotion that it transcends the idea of mere sci-fi entertainment. It culminates with a truly moving confession that under weaker writing would have been pure teen cornball. When Eleven argues with Jim about his real motivation for protecting her, such moments have the power of the way a filmmaker like Steven Spielberg tends to explore parental issues.

Without that kind of material, “Volume 2” would have easily felt like one monotonous trek through melting walls and crime clouds for our heroes to finally face off with Vecna. The scenes where Vecna as Henry tries to groom his captives into carrying out his desire to “change the world,” because he considers humans so weak, are eerie in a “Twilight Zone” way. There is also good humor in the style of Stephen King’s brand of child characters, like a plus-sized kid with glasses who tries to defy Henry (with bad consequences). Nell Fisher shows off some great, young acting abilities, bringing urgency and defiance to her role. Linda Hamilton as the other villain in this story, Dr. Kay, is given some fresh dimensions as well when it becomes apparent Vecna is a threat to everyone, including herself. This is yet another character that could have easily become a cartoon but is forced to face some real stakes, especially when the soldiers around her realize the danger they are in as well.

Fans know that the final episode of “Volume 2” is not the much-anticipated series finale. That chapter will stream on Dec. 31 with a simultaneous release in select AMC theaters. It would not be such a bad idea to catch this show on a big screen, since it is designed precisely to evoke pop cultural classics from the era in which it is set. The action culminates towards that finale as it should, with the gang fully reunited, vowing loyalty to their family and friendships. The cliffhanger is well-crafted, with our heroes carrying out a daring raid and Henry aka Vecna leading an eerie, candlelit moment with his would-be child acolytes. A story like this must leave the fate of the world hanging in the balance. It’s the kind of suspense we crave, especially at a time when the real world feels so perilous. Has “Stranger Things” become a bit overcooked as it reaches the finish line? Maybe, but it has lost none of its heart.

“Stranger Things 5: Volume 2” begins streaming Dec. 25 on Netflix.