Stranger Things Season 5 Volume 1 Review: Episode Ratings, Ending Explained & When the Next Episodes Release on Netflix

Stranger Things 5 has finally arrived — and Volume 1 wastes zero time throwing Hawkins, the Upside Down, and our favorite characters into absolute chaos. With the beginning of the end now streaming on Netflix, fans are buzzing with one question: What exactly went down in each episode… and what happens next?

If you want a breakdown of every episode, early reviews, ratings, ending explained, and — most importantly — when Volume 2 and the finale will drop, this is your complete guide.

Let’s dive straight into the madness. 👇

⭐ Stranger Things 5 Release Schedule (All Episodes)

Netflix is rolling out the final season in three parts:

• Volume 1 (Ep 1–4):✅ Released November 26, 2025

• Volume 2 (Ep 5–7):🎄 Releasing December 25, 2025

• Finale (Ep 8):🎆 Releasing December 31, 2025

Bookmark this because December is going to get strange.

🚨 What’s New in Stranger Things Season 5? (Quick Highlights)

Before diving into episodes, here’s what’s new this season:

• Hawkins is under military quarantine

• Eleven is in hiding, training with Hopper

• Will is the key to defeating Vecna (finally!)

• Max is alive… but trapped in Vecna’s psychic universe

• Vecna is stronger than ever and collecting children

• The military built a base inside the Upside Down

• New threats, new monsters, new powers

Season 5 goes full sci-fi horror mixed with emotional character payoffs we’ve waited four seasons for.

📺 Stranger Things 5 Episode-by-Episode Review (Volume 1)

With ratings, summaries & major moments — no fluff.

EPISODE 1 – “The Crawl”

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (9/10)Tone: Dark, tense, emotional setup

The premiere jumps between 1983 and 1987, reconnecting us with every character while building the biggest threat Hawkins has ever seen.

Key Moments

• Will is shown getting infected in the Upside Down back in 1983.

• Hawkins is now a military-occupied zone hunting Eleven.

• Hopper and Joyce train Eleven in secret.

• Dustin clashes with jocks defending Eddie’s honor.

• A Demogorgon breaches the Wheeler home — straight into Holly’s room.

• Will senses the attack via psychic link.

🔥 Perfect setup. Horror + nostalgia + emotional stakes.

EPISODE 2 – “The Vanishing of Holly Wheeler”

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (9/10)Tone: Family horror meets mystery

This is where Season 5 kicks into high gear.

Key Moments

• The Demogorgon kidnaps Holly.

• Karen and Ted Wheeler get severely injured.

• Eleven enters the Upside Down to help Hopper.

• Nancy realizes Holly’s imaginary friend “Mr. Whatsit” is actually Vecna.

• Will learns his visions are actually Vecna’s point of view from stalking children.

This episode hits hard — the Wheelers finally face what Hawkins has been hiding.

EPISODE 3 – “The Turnbow Trap”

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (8.5/10)Tone: Chaotic, suspenseful, old-school Stranger Things energy

The kids attempt their most reckless plan yet: using bully Derek Turnbow as bait.

Key Moments

• Hopper and Eleven interrogate military officers.

• Kids build a monster trap in Derek’s house.

• Erica drugs Derek’s family (iconic).

• Will realizes the Demogorgon is hunting his group.

• Holly is shown inside Vecna’s childhood home — and meets Max.

This episode is messy in the best way: pure Season-1 spirit with Season-4 horror.

EPISODE 4 – “Sorcerer”

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (9.5/10 — Best of Volume 1)Tone: Emotional, epic, deeply satisfying

Episode 4 delivers the biggest moment of Volume 1.

Key Moments

• Eleven and Hopper find Kali, not Vecna, in the military base.

• Max reveals she’s been trapped in Camazotz, Vecna’s memory world.

• Military detains all kids in Hawkins.

• Vecna breaks into the base with three Demogorgons.

• Vecna kidnaps more children — his plan requires 12 vessels.

• AND THEN —➜ Will taps into his powers➜ Kills Demogorgons with psychic force➜ Becomes the second super-powered hero

This is the full-circle moment the show has been building toward since Season 1.

🎬 Volume 1 Ending Explained (Spoilers)

The ending makes three things clear:

1. Will is now a psychic powerhouse.

He can access Vecna’s hive mind, look through creatures’ eyes, and weaponize the infection from Season 1.

2. Vecna’s plan is massive.

He wants to reshape the world using 12 “perfect vessel” children — Holly included.

3. Eleven and Will are now equals.

Two powered heroes. Two connections to Vecna.Two keys to ending the Upside Down — or destroying it.

Volume 2 is going to be wild.

🎄 When Do the Next Episodes Release? (Volume 2 & Finale)

Volume 2 (Episodes 5–7)

📅 Releases December 25, 2025

• Episode 5: Shock Jock

• Episode 6: Escape from Camazotz

• Episode 7: The Bridge

Finale (Episode 8)

📅 Releases December 31, 2025

• Episode 8: The Rightside Up

Christmas + New Year’s = Stranger Things takeover.

⭐ Final Verdict (So Far)

Stranger Things 5 Volume 1 is a powerhouse start to the final season. It’s darker, faster, more emotional, and more ambitious than anything the show has done before.

The performances (especially Noah Schnapp, Millie Bobby Brown, and Sadie Sink) are top-tier, and Volume 1 sets up an explosive final showdown.

If Volume 1 is any indication, endings don’t get bigger than this.