Stranger Things Season 5 Will Struggle to Top the Show’s Most Disturbing Scene

When Stranger Things from Netflix returns to the streaming site in 2025, viewers can expect the program to have a difficult time surpassing one of the most stunning scenes from season 4. Based on the information available about the upcoming season of Stranger Things, it appears that the show’s finale will be a fitting farewell for the Hawkins children and an epic finish. Since its 2016 debut, the show has been among Netflix’s most watched original series; seasons three and four are ranked ninth and second, respectively, on the streaming service’s list of the Top 10 Most Popular TV Shows.

Season 4 of Stranger Things received critical praise, sticking the landing with an epic finale that upped the ante from what came before. The season was filled with brutally horrific scenes, surprising deaths, and some exciting twists that have left the wait for season 5 that much more difficult. Now, with the fifth and final season on the horizon for next year, the pressure is on to make Stranger Things even more spectacular. However, despite the anticipation, one of the show’s most horrifying moments makes raising the stakes a real challenge.

Stranger Things Season 4 Contains the Most Disturbing Scene of The Whole Series

The Massacre at Hawkins Lab Is the Series Most Gruesome

Stranger Things’ Season 4, Episode 7 transports us back to Hawkins Lab, where Eleven was one of several kids being educated by Dr. Brenner to exploit their extraordinary skills. The season’s antagonist, Vecna, is introduced in this scene as One, portrayed by Jamie Campbell Bower, an orderly in the lab who initially helps Eleven before revealing himself to be Henry Creel. In other flashbacks, we learn Henry’s beginnings as a villain and discover that Vecna was the ultimate cause of everything that was happening in Hawkins all along.

One murders everyone in Hawkins Lab except for Eleven and Dr. Brenner in the most graphic and horrifying sequence of Strager Things, which occurs at the end of Eleven’s flashback. While the series has never been reluctant to lean into its horror themes, no scene in the series to date has had quite the same death toll, and One’s betrayal of Eleven only adds a far more personal twist to the moment. In a final clash, eleven defeats One, and inadvertently creates the series’ greatest villain.

Stranger Things Season 5 Will Struggle to Top the Horror of The Hawkins Lab Massacre

Where Do We Even Go from Here?

Netflix’s horror series has so far attempted to outdo itself with each new season. Stranger Things’ fourth season features some of the show’s scariest scenes ever, but it doesn’t seem like there is much more opportunity for growth after reaching such a high point. Escalating from the carnage at Hawkins Lab, which left viewers in disbelief and exposed the extent Vecna will go to state his own rage and hunger for power, might not be the best course of action for the show.

This is the moment to rely on the emotion and personal stakes that the series has previously established.

Not always is better. Too many horror franchises fall into the trap of pushing the limit beyond what makes sense, opting for more and splashier horror over quality and emotional weight. Vecna already has an impressive body count, so Stranger Things doesn’t need to convince the audience that he’s dangerous. Now is the time to rely on what the series has already set up: emotion and personal stakes.

The Final Season of Stranger Things Doesn’t Need Greater Horror To Raise Its Stakes

Bigger Isn’t Always Better

Beyond its aspects of nostalgia and terror, Stranger Things is one of its strongest points. The individuals in the series are essentially what keep it interesting. The Hawkins kids have been beloved by viewers over the course of four seasons; Eddie Munson, a one-season character, has even won over a devoted following. Making even greater use of this emotional connection to supporting characters outside of the main cast of the show would be a true way for season 5 to up the ante.

This was previously expertly set up by Max’s character in Season 4. Max was in a coma at the end of the season, and it was unclear exactly what happened to her. Season 5 poster art has already hinted that Max’s narrative isn’t finished, and that’s just one of the numerous plot lines that might culminate in this season’s ideal heart-wrenching moments. Characters have always been Stranger Things’ greatest asset, and in order to truly up the ante and create a memorable climax, the show will need to rely more than ever on them.

Stranger Things (2016)

Inspired by 80s pop-culture and elements of Stephen King’s works, Stranger Things is a supernatural action-drama TV series set in the fictional town of Hawkins, Indiana. When a young boy goes missing, his group of friends stumbles upon a young girl with telekinetic powers who recently escaped from a mysterious facility. They soon realize that she may be their only chance at stopping an impending doom that threatens to engulf Hawkin’s whole.

Stranger Things Season 5

The epic sci-fi horror narrative of the Duffer Brothers is scheduled to conclude with Stranger Things season 5, and fans are eagerly awaiting the penultimate installment in the tale of Eleven, Will, and the town of Hawkins. Stranger Things’ fourth season concluded with a two-part episode that featured a clash between the heroes and Vecna, leaving Hawkins to deal with yet another rift brought on by the antagonist. Stranger Things season 5 will, hopefully, put an end to Eleven’s battle with Vecna and the Upside Down, however there is still one final arc left to cover in the plot.

The Duffer Brothers planned Stranger Things’ expansive story from the outset, with a multi-season story mapped out before Netflix introduced the world to Eleven, Hawkins, or the Upside Down. Since the show’s 2016 debut, Eleven and the other heroes of Hawkins have gone through incredible hardships, losing friends and family members and saving the world on multiple occasions. For every victory, though, the Upside Down gets smarter, throwing out new nightmares. It’s clear that before Stranger Things season 5 ends, there will have to be a final showdown of epic proportions.

Summary

• Stranger Things season 5 will be the final chapter of the epic sci-fi horror saga, bringing Eleven’s struggle against Vecna and the Upside Down to an end.
• The Duffer Brothers meticulously planned the show’s expansive story from the beginning, and the final season will feature a showdown of epic proportions.
• There is currently no release date for Stranger Things season 5, but it is expected that the main cast will return, including Millie Bobby Brown as Eleven and Finn Wolfhard as Mike. Linda Hamilton will also join the cast.

The Latest Stranger Things Season 5 News

Season 5’s Release Year Is Confirmed

The most recent information confirms Stranger Things season 5’s release year as filming on the highly anticipated final season proceeds apace. Stranger Things season 5 will air on Netflix in 2025, according to CEO Ted Sarandos, though a more precise release date is yet unknown. The 2025 release date isn’t shocking given the drawn-out production schedule, but it’s still unclear if season 5 will consist of one or two parts.

See Sarandos’s whole remarks below:

There will be a ton of excitement in our series alone in 2025 with the release of new seasons of Wednesday, Stranger Things, The Night Agent, and One Piece, which we are now producing.

Stranger Things Season 5 Production Status

Season 5 Is Currently Filming

According to Maya Hawke’s most recent remarks, filming isn’t progressing as quickly as anticipated, which could mean more delays.

The release date for Stranger Things seasons 5 is not yet known. Finn Wolfhard revealed that Stranger Things season 5 would debut in early 2025 (via GQ). But this was before the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, and one of the many projects that was postponed was the upcoming season of Stranger Things. Filming could not begin until early 2024 as a result.

Recent remarks made by Maya Hawke imply that the filming isn’t progressing as quickly as had been anticipated, which could mean more delays. However, it was revealed in July 2024 that production was halfway completed, suggesting that the show is still on track despite Hawke’s earlier comments. It is currently unclear if season 5 will be released at once, or if it will come in two volumes like season 4. Also in July 2024, Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos confirmed Stranger Things season 5 is coming sometime in 2025.

Stranger Things season 4 part 2 debuted on July 1, 2022.

Stranger Things Season 5 Cast

The Main Cast Is Returning for The Final Time

Although the Stranger Things season 5 cast has not yet been officially announced, it is anticipated that most, if not all, of the core characters will return. Stranger Things has avoided contentious recasting in the past, and season 5 ought to follow suit. Even Sadie Sink’s Max, whose destiny was uncertain in the season 4 finale, and other cast members whose characters passed away are probably going to reappear on screen. But new set photos suggest Max may still be alive following her terrifying ordeal, and Sadie Sink will definitely appear in season 5. Additionally, Linda Hamilton is joining the Stranger Things season 5 cast. The Stranger Things season 5 casting announcements for Hamilton hinted at a connection to the Upside Down meaning it is a possible villain role for the iconic sci-fi action hero.