Stranger Things finale review: A let-down for a legendary saga
After nearly a decade on our screens, Stranger Things reached its long-awaited conclusion on Netflix at the end of 2025. The final episode, titled The Rightside Up, was one of the most anticipated moments in recent television history. Yet instead of delivering a triumphant ending befitting its legacy, the conclusion has left many viewers and critics feeling underwhelmed and deeply conflicted about the show’s ultimate impact.
Part of the disappointment stems from what came before the finale. Season 5, released in three volumes, began with strong momentum and promise, teasing dramatic stakes and surprising developments that hinted at a bold closure to the Hawkins story. Early episodes revitalised interest with revelations about character backstories and escalating supernatural danger. But when Volume 2 slowed the pace with prolonged dialogue scenes and emotional exposition, much of that momentum dissipated, leaving the audience with diminished anticipation by the time the finale arrived.
In many respects, the finale tries to do too much. The climactic confrontation with Vecna and the Mindflayer, the series’ central antagonists of recent seasons, occupies only a small portion of the nearly two-hour episode. After years of gradual build-up, where the threat felt perilous and significant, this final battle plays out with surprising ease and lacks the tension and urgency viewers have come to expect. Many fans felt the upselling of Vecna as a villain worthy of fear was never fully realised in his defeat, a decision that robbed the showdown of emotional weight.
Equally problematic is the episode’s handling of pacing and structure. Extended epilogue sequences dwell on future outcomes for the ensemble cast: graduations, personal milestones and heartfelt exchanges. While these moments aim to provide closure and catharsis, they often feel protracted and overly sentimental, diluting the sense of triumph or tragedy. Repeated scenes of crying and reunion drew criticism for seeming forced rather than earned, especially when placed alongside moments of narrative stagnation.
Another point of debate has been the finale’s emotional core. The sacrifice of Eleven, intended as a heroic and poignant turning point, arrives with a familiarity that many argue fails to deliver genuine impact. Rather than solidifying her arc as definitive and resonant, the storytelling opts for an open-ended twist that leaves her ultimate fate ambiguous. While this choice may console some fans by offering hope, others see it as a retreat from commitment, weakening the emotional power of her journey.
Beyond the narrative beats, the finale’s reception highlights a broader divide between loyal fans and narrative critics. Some viewers have likened the ending unfavourably to other polarising finales, notably Game of Thrones, citing its safe choices and lack of bold creativity. Comments from the fanbase range from describing the episode as “predictable” and overly tidy to praising its character resolutions and nostalgic echoes of the show’s early charm.
Despite these criticisms, not all responses have been negative. Certain reviewers and industry voices have pointed out that the finale succeeds in reflecting the core relationships that anchored the series from the beginning. For those who value character connection over spectacle, the episode offers heartfelt moments and a sense of moving forward that aligns with the show’s coming-of-age roots.
What remains clear is that Stranger Things, at least in its finale, chose safety over boldness. By privileging emotional reunions and familiar tropes over unpredictable storytelling, the creators delivered a conclusion that feels warm rather than visionary. Stranger Things will be remembered for its cultural impact and its unique blend of nostalgia, horror and heartfelt storytelling, but its ending may forever be contested.
Stranger Things finale review: the finale might not ruin the legacy of Stranger Things, but it certainly falls short of the dramatic crescendo that many devoted fans hoped for.
