Stranger Things Season 5 Volume 2 Review: I woke up early for this. Like, alarm at 6:30 AM early. Three new episodes of Stranger Things Season 5, Volume 2 dropped, and I didn’t even hesitate. Coffee can wait. Sleep can wait. This show has been part of my life for years now, and when it drops, you show up.
I finished all three episodes in one go. Sat there quietly for a minute after episode seven ended. Then I did what most of us do now, opened social media, jumped into discussions, and checked what everyone else was saying. And yeah… mixed reactions everywhere.
Some people loved it. Some were disappointed. Some were confused. Some were already arguing about whether the finale is going to save or sink the season. So here’s my take, no hype, no hate, no pretending. Just how it felt watching it as someone who genuinely loves Stranger Things.
My Rating: 3.5/5
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Title | Stranger Things |
| Season | Season 5 |
| Volume | Volume 2 |
| Episodes | Episodes 5–7 |
| Genre | Sci-Fi, Horror, Mystery, Drama |
| Created by | The Duffer Brothers |
| Streaming Platform | Netflix |
| Release Date | December 25, 2025 |
| Episode Runtime | ~60–75 minutes per episode |
| Main Cast | Millie Bobby Brown, Finn Wolfhard, Sadie Sink, Caleb McLaughlin, Gaten Matarazzo, Joe Keery, Natalia Dyer, David Harbour, Winona Ryder |
First Things First: These Episodes Don’t Feel “Bad”
These three episodes are not bad television. Not even close. Visually, they’re still stunning. The Upside Down still looks terrifying. The music still hits when it needs to. The performances are solid, sometimes excellent.
At its core, this still feels like Stranger Things. That familiar mix of dread, emotion, and nostalgia is all here. So why do so many people — including me- feel a little underwhelmed? That’s where things get interesting.
The Real Issue Isn’t the Story — It’s the Way We’re Watching It
Here’s the thing no one likes to admit: Netflix’s release strategy hurt this season. Season 5 is clearly written as one long, continuous story. The first four episodes were pure setup, reconnecting threads from past seasons, laying out mysteries, positioning characters for the endgame.
Volume 2, these three episodes, is the answer phase. This is where the show starts explaining things:
- What Vecna actually wants
- What the Upside Down really is
- How this nightmare could finally end
And honestly? The answers themselves are mostly fine. But cutting the season into chunks makes everything feel… disjointed. When Episode 4 ended, the hype was unreal. That Will moment? That was peak Stranger Things energy. Trying to top that immediately was always going to be tough.
Instead of riding that momentum straight into the finale, we’re forced to pause. Again. And that pause makes everything feel slower, heavier, and more scrutinized than it should be. If someone binges Stranger Things Season 5 later, start to finish, I genuinely think these complaints will shrink.
Some Moments Still Hit Hard — Especially the Character Stuff
This is where Stranger Things has always been strongest. The Jonathan and Nancy conversation? Long overdue, and honestly, one of the best scenes this season. Messy, emotional, painful, but real.
Steve and Dustin continue to be the emotional backbone of the show. That “If you die, I die” exchange didn’t feel like fan service. It felt like a warning.
Max, once again, proves why she’s one of the best characters the show ever introduced. Every scene she’s in has weight. And small moments, Hopper, Eleven, Lucas, they still work because we’ve grown with these characters for years. That history matters.
But Yeah… The Pacing Is Weird
This is where my frustration kicked in. Episode 5 moves well. Episode 6 slows down. Episode 7 feels like it’s holding its breath, not ending on a massive explosion, but on something quieter and more personal.
That’s not a bad creative choice. It just feels strange when you know there’s only one episode left, and it’s over two hours long. A lot of Volume 2 is about explaining rather than escalating.
And explanations are always riskier than mysteries. Once you start answering big questions, the magic naturally shifts. Not disappears, just changes.
Plot Armor Is Starting to Show
I’ll say it. Some characters survive situations that feel… generous. Military bases get infiltrated a little too easily. Certain escapes feel convenient. A few action beats made me stop and go, “Wait, really?”
I don’t need realism in Stranger Things, but I do need consequences. When the world is ending, someone has to pay a price. Which brings us to the big question hanging over everything…
The Finale Is Carrying a LOT of Weight
There’s one episode left. One. And it feels like the show is lining up sacrifices. Eleven’s arc especially feels dangerous, emotionally and narratively. Will she survive? Will she disappear? Will someone else die protecting her?
I honestly don’t know, and that uncertainty is the strongest thing the show still has going for it. If the finale lands, Season 5 could still climb up my rankings. If it doesn’t… this might quietly become my least favorite season — which feels insane to even say.
The Good & Bad In Stranger Things
What Worked
| Strength | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Character moments | Emotional scenes feel earned |
| Visuals & music | Still top-tier TV production |
| Core cast chemistry | These actors still feel like family |
| Lore expansion | The Upside Down finally makes sense |
Also Read: Stranger Things Season 5 Volume 2 Ending Explained: Vecna’s Real Plan Is Terrifying
What Didn’t Fully Work
| Issue | Why It Hurts |
|---|---|
| Pacing | Too much explaining, not enough momentum |
| Release format | Kills immersion and flow |
| Plot armor | Stakes don’t always feel real |
| Side character focus | Some core characters feel underused |
Final Thoughts: I’m Not Mad — Just Nervous
I still love Stranger Things. I still care deeply about these characters. And I’m absolutely watching the finale the moment it drops. Volume 2 didn’t ruin anything; it just didn’t elevate things the way I hoped it would. Right now, it feels like the calm before either a great ending… or a deeply debated one.
We’ll know soon. Until then, I’m sitting with that strange feeling you get when something important to you is about to end, and you’re not sure if you’re ready to say goodbye. My current rating for Season 5, Volume 2: 3.5 / 5
