After watching the show for nearly a decade, it’s hard to believe Stranger Things is nearing its end. And yet, going into Volume 2 of season 5, it felt like there was still so much of the story left to be told. Whereas Stranger Things season 5, Volume 1 hit the ground running, Volume 2, thankfully, doesn’t let up, keeping a foot on the gas (quite literally on one occasion).
When Stranger Things season 5, Volume 2 begins, the subgroups are still split up between Hawkins, the Upside Down, and Vecna’s mindscape. As Max and Holly attempt to find a way home and back to their physical bodies, the two groups in the Upside Down are busy making wild discoveries. The Hawkins crew is also trying to understand Will’s powers and connection to the hive mind, specifically, how it can be used to their advantage against Vecna.
Based on the fates of Stranger Things season 5’s characters by the end of Volume 2, it’s best to approach the remainder of the show with the mindset that no character is truly safe. The Duffer Brothers have already taken big swings in Stranger Things season 5, and the show only gets more intense in Volume 2 as time continues to run out for the Hawkins crew in Volume 2.
Stranger Things S5 Volume 2 Runs Into Middle Movie Syndrome
Stranger Things season 5, Volume 2, picks up right where Volume 1 left off. Even though Will was able to save his friends with his newfound abilities, the Party quickly learns that they failed in their mission to keep the remaining kids safe from Vecna. Much of Volume 2 revolves around regrouping for some of the characters, while others are just trying to find a way back home.
Over the course of three episodes, the stakes in Stranger Things season 5 get increasingly higher, as everything starts coming together, leading to the final fight against Vecna. Granted, Volume 2 very much serves as the quintessential “middle” part of Stranger Things season 5, embracing exposition and story setup ahead of the grand finale. There’s no beginning or end; Volume 2 basically serves like the middle movie of a trilogy in that the various subplots progress, but there’s no real resolution to the storylines.
The episodes, which are all over one hour each, move relatively fast, and there’s no filler. Based on Stranger Things season 5’s release plan, falling into middle movie syndrome was expected to some degree. But after waiting for over three years, splitting the final season adds more frustration, not suspense. The extra delays also add a sense of irony, considering Vecna has a habit of saying “It’s time,” but the show keeps making viewers wait to see his grand plan in action.
Volume 2 Of Stranger Things Season 5 Is An Emotional Roller Coaster
Despite falling into some middle chapter pitfalls, Stranger Things season 5, Volume 2, has no shortage of emotional moments. In fact, a few actors get a chance to shine with scenes that serve as a culmination of years of character growth. The episodes feature fists flying, tears flowing, and relationships tested, and this is just Volume 2; we’re not even in the real endgame yet.
One particular storyline that stands out in Volume 2 centers on Dustin, Steve, Nancy, and Jonathan’s time at Hawkins Lab in the Upside Down. There’s a lot of tension among that group, and while they find themselves in a very dangerous situation, a lot of raw emotions and brutal truths come out, which will have a major impact on their relationships moving forward.
Like the case with Volume 1 and previous Stranger Things seasons, the show’s vast cast size means that some characters get pushed to the side. While there are more surprising team-ups and thrilling reunions, giving every major character adequate screen time is clearly getting more difficult as the ending nears. Even Eleven seems to have a lesser role in Volume 2, though that will undoubtedly change in the series finale.
Do We Already Have The Answers Ahead Of Stranger Things Series Finale?
Stranger Things is now down to just over two hours to successfully tie up the loose ends in the hopes of a satisfying conclusion. Yes, Volume 2 does provide some answers to long-running questions, including more revelations connected to Will, Eleven, Vecna, and the Upside Down. That said, several of those reveals create even bigger questions that the series finale must address.
Interestingly, some of those mysteries may have already been solved in the show’s canon play, Stranger Things: The First Shadow. Stranger Things season 5 connects to the stage play, so if you’re unaware of what happens in the Henry Creel prequel story, stay away from spoilers. Seeing as details surrounding the play have been swirling since the play debuted, those tuned into the fandom may not have had a chance to avoid massive reveals that will tie into the show’s final season.
If the events of the stage play were intended to feature spoilers for the larger story, it would have been beneficial to make The First Shadow more widely available to fans. Or, at the very least, there should have been an effort to warn fans to avoid the stage play’s story details, but even that would be nearly impossible in this day and age. Hopefully, the Duffer Brothers will go well beyond what’s revealed in the play, providing fans with a worthy ending.
Volumes 1 and 2 of Stranger Things season 5 are now available on Netflix. The series finale will be released on December 31, 2025!
