Nine years after its unheralded debut, Netflix's flagship series, Stranger Things, has returned for its fifth and final season. The show, known for its unique blend of science-fiction, horror, and fantasy with a strong dose of 1980s nostalgia, instantly became a sensation, leaving fans with one crucial question for its conclusion: Can creators Matt and Ross Duffer successfully stick the landing?

Initial critical reception for the first four episodes, released as Volume 1, suggests a positive trajectory, though with some caveats. While not deemed as electrifying as the Vecna-centric fourth season, these fast-moving episodes are praised for successfully landing huge emotional beats and delivering thrilling action sequences of unprecedented scale. According to Rotten Tomatoes, the season currently holds a Certified Fresh 84% based on 45 reviews, marking the lowest score for the franchise, which previously saw seasons range from 89% to 97%. Some criticisms point to the show feeling