'Stranger Things 5, Volume 1' is A LOT (review)

Fortunately, Stranger Things 5: Volume One is still good. Its high points are also among the best in the show’s history. And its strongest storyline not only draws on the entire history of the show, it sets it up the chance to pull off a truly moving finale. Strap in—here’s our Stranger Things 5 Volume One review.

Stranger Things 5‘s first batch of episodes features so many characters who matter to the equally massive plot that the seasons feels more like it takes place in Westeros than Indiana. The show already had too many characters, yet Stranger Things 5, Volume One adds important new characters, too. For instance, it elevates Holly Wheeler, who didn’t matter much before, into a vital role. It also introduces totally novel ones. That notably includes the newest human villain, an incredible Linda Hamilton as military leader Dr. Kay.

The show itself also feels a little different from previous installments after what happened in the closing moments of season four. When Vecna opened up a huge portal right through the city, he fundamentally changed the nature of the series. This is no longer an intimate story where only a few citizens know something is amiss. All of Hawkins is now under military control in Stranger Things 5, Volume One. The good news is the show combats its own upscaling by keeping almost everyone except its longtime characters in the dark. Most of Hawkins has no idea what’s really going on. The people secretly fighting the Upside Down are the ones who have always done so.

Predictably, with so many people, some characters feel extra important while others feel shortchanged. Natalie Dyer’s Nancy is crucial to multiple Stranger Things 5, Volume One plots as she is essentially the leader of the underground resistance. (Literally underground. Get ready for tunnels.) An amazing Noah Schnapp, the absolute MVP of these episodes, is the heart and soul of everything in the best way. Yet Lucas, Mike, and Dustin don’t feel as central as they should be in Stranger Things 5. A few characters and relationships also feel like they’re running in place, stuck in the same exact arc or development introduced seasons ago. Looking at you, Hopper and Joyce! And Steve and Dustin….and Jonathan.

No character who matters is ignored or totally undercut entirely, though, because they’re always in the mix. That’s because this season does something very smart and satisfying. It keep its many characters together as much as possible. They’re all working as a unified team, so even when they characters are physically apart in Stranger Things 5, they have one singular goal. They also are in constant communication via walkie-talkies and even through Robin’s authorized radio show. She uses it speak in code while not violating the military’s rules. Important sequences are also spliced together to emotionally connect the characters and their struggles. The series never forgets these people who care about one another and have a long and meaningful history together. As always, Stranger Things is at its best when it leans into that.

That said, if you love Maya Hawke’s Robin, you’re going to love Stranger Things 5, Volume One. I didn’t keep official track, but she talks as much as all the other characters combined. That might be slightly exaggerated, but not by much. Hawke is excellent, all energy and charm, but more than anyone, Robin exemplifies both the strengths and weaknesses of Stranger Things 5‘s Volume One. She’s too much yet also part of this batch’s best storyline. This season pairs her with Will, and the payoff is extraordinary, among the most moving in the series’ entire run. It’s also very important, as the Duffers eventually weave together their plot, themes, characters, and past events into one satisfying thread.

As for the action in Stranger Things 5, you guessed it, there’s too much. This season is like Aliens crossed with Red Dawn and Poltergeist. There are lots of action sequences. One is the scariest, most gruesome, most emotional attack the show has ever done. (It’s my second favorite moment from Volume One.) Others feel goofy and tiresome. There’s a whole lot of of absurd, Scooby Doo-esque plans and sequences. Sometimes they are fine or even good. Sometimes they frustrating or dumb. And sometimes they are all those things at once.

It’s also frustrating that this season, despite being the last, also adds new, dense developments to Stranger Things‘ lore. They can seem needlessly confusing at first. A few are downright confusing, the more you dive into them. Volume One also brings with it a lot of explaining things that happened before and groundwork for new mysteries the show will deal with in Stranger Things Volumes Two and Three. The long gap between seasons also means many viewers won’t remember key plot points from previous installments. It’s frustrating in the moment, for sure. It’s not a deal breaker for enjoying the season, though. Viewers who don’t sweat the details will like these episodes more than those who do. (I have no idea if that’s a compliment or an insult.)

While Stranger Things 5 suffers from an excess/bloat that stops it from being great, there are also a handful of downright bad elements. Vecna looks awful, like horror movie Groot, but you can see that for yourself in trailers. And I can say that the editing on this season really needs to be tighter, same as in season four. But to even hint at what I hated most would spoil some important stuff from Stranger Things 5, Volume One. All I can say is this batch of episodes has the single worst, most laughable moment in show history. Dedicated fans are going to know exactly what I mean when they see it. Non-dedicated fans are also going to hate it.

Thing is, that awful moment is then followed by one of the show’s absolute best. Because despite having too many characters and too much story, and despite feeling more like a five-hour movie (that needed to be two) rather than an actual TV show made up of episodes, Stranger Things 5, Volume One punched me right in the heart. The highs are beautiful, the kind of payoffs you can only get after caring about characters for years. The Duffers get a lot of the big stuff right. And they do so in a way that feels like they always knew where they were going with an important storyline. (That’s a lot less true of some others.) It’s very satisfying. It’s also the biggest reason to be excited by what’s still to come. When episode four ended, I wanted to know what happened next.

When episode four ended, I was also tired. Tired from keeping track of everything and everyone. Tired from episodes that felt like they never ended. But I was also tired because I was emotionally drained in all the ways you’d hope Stranger Things’ final season would drain you. So if you turned to this Stranger Things 5, Volume One review to manage your own expectations, I suggest instead managing something else. Manage your energy. You’re going to need it.

⭐ (3.5 of 5)

Mikey Walsh is a staff writer at Nerdist forever running up that hill. (Or…down that hill?) You can follow him on Bluesky at @burgermike. And also anywhere someone is ranking the Targaryen kings.