As a result of Netflix’s staggered release schedule of Stranger Things 5, the finale episode of the series was aired on December 31st at 8 PM, giving audiences a highly-anticipated New Year’s Eve.
However, despite promises from the Duffer Brothers for an eloquent send-off to the show, fans’ reactions are mixed. With many on the internet presenting both negative and positive opinions, one is left to wonder if this is standard extremist internet culture, or something bigger.
The finale follows the party as they attempt to defeat Vecna, a long-time villain of the series. The Duffer Brothers had historically made Vecna a powerful antagonist, being able to manipulate his victim’s minds, and ultimately kill them with ease.
The party pulls through in the end, succeeding in taking down Vecna, but the victory left viewers with skepticism.
“The crew killed Vecna about halfway through the episode… the win felt easy,” said Charlie Burton, a sophomore at Abbott Tech High School.
Many online agreed that the enemy’s death left audiences unsatisfied in certain ways.
“Duffer Brothers, explain why there were no Demogorgons in the final battle,” said a Reddit user. “There were hoards of demo-bats flying around last season, but not in this battle,” said a YouTuber.
Viewers throughout TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube echo a similar statement. Perspectives on these platforms are expressed through memes, but it contributes to the overall sentiment of a disappointing final battle.
Nevertheless, many believe the ending held high emotional value.
“An emotional scene was when Will put away his DND book while crying,” stated Burton. “This is so emotional because DND connected all his friends since they were little.”
The critiques of the finale are focused on more technical aspects of it, but viewers still feel the emotions each moment of the episode is trying to capture.
However, comments on actor performance are also important to mention.
“I feel like the actors were definitely lacking,” said Rowen Nye, a senior at Danbury High School. “Which in totality, I did not like at all.”
Actor performances in a finale episode are often some of the most important critiques of a series, as such performances are the last interactions viewers will see of their favorite characters.
Due to these disappointments, internet theories have begun to brew.
“I do not believe there is a secret ninth episode,” said Burton. “The closing was decent enough not to have another episode.”
‘Conformity Gate,’ a term for the suspected secret continuation of the series, claimed that the Stranger Things universe was not over after episode 8, and Vecna was not dead—but the last few episodes of the show were merely an illusion created by Vecna.
When asked of his belief on the fan theory, Nye gave a straight answer.
“Absolutely not,” said Nye. “Okay, but my step-dad definitely did.”
Regardless, the ending of the series has divided audiences worldwide, but the impact the series had on Netflix’s reputation, pop-culture, and Gen Z as a whole is irrefutable.
“I think people will remember Stranger Things as a great series. Even though the ending was decent, the series as a whole has great episodes,” said Burton. “It’s a great series anyone can watch over and over again.”
