‘Stranger Things’ Season 5 Arrives on Netflix This Week: Here’s What You Need to Know
The final chapter of Netflix’s hit series Stranger Things begins this week, with Volume 1 of Season 5 premiering on Thursday, May 2nd, at 7 PM ET / 4 PM PT. The release will conclude the story of Eleven, Mike, Dustin, Lucas, Will, Max, and the town of Hawkins as they face Vecna one last time.
Season 5 picks up in the fall of 1987,with Hawkins reeling from the aftermath of the Rifts. The official synopsis states the heroes are “united by a single goal: find and kill vecna,” who has mysteriously vanished. The government has imposed a military quarantine on Hawkins and is actively pursuing Eleven, forcing her into hiding. As the anniversary of Will Byers’ disappearance nears, a sense of dread descends, foreshadowing a final battle against a more powerful darkness.
The season’s first volume consists of four episodes, with runtimes revealed as follows: Episode 1 (80 minutes), Episode 2 (66 minutes), Episode 3 (73 minutes), and Episode 4 (66 minutes). Volume 2, containing the remaining four episodes, will be released on December 5th.
For context, Season 4 of Stranger Things saw the group split across multiple locations – Hawkins, California, and Russia – as they battled Vecna, revealed to be One/Henry Creel, and uncovered his origins. The season culminated in a devastating battle that left Hawkins fractured and many characters facing uncertain futures.
The final season features new cast members including Linda Hamilton, Jake Connelly, and Alex Breaux. The Walking Dead creator Frank Darabont will direct one of the episodes.
