STRANGER THINGS 5, Volume 1 Is A LOT (Review)

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The first part of Stranger Things 5 is still a strong showing, with some of its best moments ever. The main storyline cleverly connects everything that’s happened so far and creates a real opportunity for a powerful ending. Here’s our review of Stranger Things 5 Volume One – get ready!

The first part of Stranger Things 5 has so many important characters and plotlines that it feels less like the show’s familiar Indiana setting and more like the sprawling world of Game of Thrones. The show was already juggling a large cast, but these new episodes add even more significant characters. For example, Holly Wheeler, who previously had a minor role, becomes a key player. We also meet completely new characters, most notably Dr. Kay, a compelling villain played by Linda Hamilton.

After the events at the end of season four, the new season of the show feels quite different. Vecna’s opening of a massive portal dramatically changed things – it’s no longer a small, contained story. Now, with all of Hawkins under military control in Stranger Things 5, Volume One, the scope is much larger. Fortunately, the show balances this increased scale by keeping most of the town unaware of the true danger. The secret battle against the Upside Down is still being fought by the same core group of characters who have always been involved.

As you’d expect with a large cast, some characters take center stage while others don’t get enough to do. Nancy, played by Natalie Dyer, is a key leader in the first part of Stranger Things 5, especially as the story involves a lot of underground activity. Noah Schnapp delivers a fantastic performance and is truly the emotional center of these episodes. However, characters like Lucas, Mike, and Dustin don’t feel as important as they should. Some storylines and relationships also seem to be going nowhere, with characters like Hopper, Joyce, Steve, Dustin, and Jonathan stuck repeating old patterns.

Despite the large cast, the show doesn’t sideline any important characters. This season excels at keeping everyone connected and working towards a common goal, even when they’re physically separated. They maintain constant communication through walkie-talkies and Robin’s cleverly coded radio show, which allows them to share information without raising suspicion. The show also skillfully weaves together scenes from different locations to highlight the emotional bonds and shared struggles of the characters. Ultimately, Stranger Things shines when it focuses on the relationships and history between these characters who genuinely care for one another.

If you’re a fan of Maya Hawke’s character Robin, you’ll really enjoy the first part of Stranger Things 5. She has a lot of screen time – arguably more than all the other characters combined! While that might be a slight exaggeration, it’s not far off. Hawke delivers a fantastic performance, bringing tons of energy and charisma to the role. Robin perfectly embodies both what works and what doesn’t in this first volume of the season. She’s a standout character, and her storyline, paired with Will’s, is incredibly rewarding – one of the most emotionally impactful arcs in the entire series. The Duffers do a great job of bringing everything together – the plot, themes, characters, and past events – into a cohesive and satisfying narrative.

The fifth season of Stranger Things is packed with action – maybe too much. It feels like a mix of Aliens, Red Dawn, and Poltergeist, with a lot of intense sequences. One attack is particularly frightening, disturbing, and emotionally impactful – it’s my second favorite scene from the first part of the season. However, some of the action feels silly and exhausting. There are plenty of over-the-top, *Scooby Doolike plans and moments. While some of these work well or are even enjoyable, others are frustrating or just don’t make sense. Often, they’re a confusing mix of all three.

It’s a bit annoying that even though this is the final season, Stranger Things keeps adding complicated new story elements. These additions can feel confusing at first, and some remain unclear the more you think about them. The first part of the season spends a lot of time explaining past events and setting up mysteries for the remaining episodes. Plus, with such a long break since the last season, viewers might have forgotten important details. It’s definitely frustrating while you’re watching, but it doesn’t ruin the experience. Those who don’t worry too much about every detail will probably enjoy the episodes more than those who try to figure everything out. It’s hard to say whether that’s a good thing or not, though.

Season 5 of Stranger Things isn’t the show’s best, largely because it feels overlong and contains some genuinely poor choices. Vecna’s new look, which you can see in the trailers, is particularly disappointing – he resembles a scary version of Groot. The editing also needs improvement, similar to what we saw in season four. However, I can’t reveal the biggest issue with Volume One without spoiling key plot points. Let’s just say it contains the most unintentionally funny and cringeworthy moment in the entire series – dedicated fans will immediately understand what I mean, and even casual viewers will likely find it awful.

Despite being overstuffed with characters and a sprawling plot – often feeling more like a long movie than a TV series – the first part of Stranger Things 5 really resonated with me. The show delivers some truly beautiful and rewarding moments, earned through years of character development. The creators, the Duffer brothers, clearly had a strong vision for the main storyline, and it pays off. (This wasn’t quite the case for everything, though.) It’s incredibly satisfying and gives a lot of hope for the final episodes. I was immediately eager to find out what happens next after the fourth episode ended.

After finishing episode four, I felt completely exhausted – not just from following the complex plot and numerous characters, but emotionally spent in the way a final season of Stranger Things should leave you feeling. If you’re reading this review of Stranger Things 5, Volume One hoping to gauge what to expect, my advice is different: don’t try to predict anything. Just conserve your energy, because you’ll need it.

⭐ (3.5 of 5)

Mikey Walsh is a writer for TopMob who’s always working hard. You can find him on Bluesky at @burgermike, and he also enjoys debating the rankings of Targaryen kings.

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2025-11-27 04:04