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Stranger Things season 4 ended with a cliffhanger, with Max in a coma and Vecna plotting his invasion of Hawkins. Fans have been eagerly anticipating the season 5 premiere for months.
The new trailer teases higher stakes, more ’80s nostalgia, and the return of some of your favorite characters, including Millie Bobby Brown as Eleven.
Key Moments
The first season of Stranger Things left fans with a lot more questions than answers. But as the show continues to dominate the internet, fans have been eagerly awaiting the return of their favorite heroes. The latest trailer for the Netflix juggernaut gives us a glimpse into what to expect in the next episode of the hit series. It teases time rifts, power upgrades, and long-awaited answers about the Upside Down.
The trailer introduces a few new characters as well, including Linda Hamilton (The Goonies, Aliens) in an undisclosed role. Hamilton joins a cast that includes Winona Ryder, Finn Wolfhard, Millie Bobby Brown, Sadie Sink, and Gaten Matarazzo. The show’s casting choices continue to pay homage to the classic ’80s films that inspired its creators, and this addition is no exception.
Throughout the past four seasons, the main storyline has revolved around Will’s (Noah Schnapp) struggle to move on from the events of that first November night. He’s had his fair share of ups and downs, but his storylines haven’t garnered the same internet buzz as Eleven’s Kate Bush-scored resurrection or Eddie Munson’s demonized metalhead shreds.
However, the Season 5 trailer suggests that things are finally starting to come to a head for Will. A shot of Hawkins’ Lab reveals a force field that seems to protect the facility from something, and the Duffer brothers tease that the military is accelerating their efforts to turn the Upside Down into a weapon. The trailer also reveals that Vecna is returning in a rebuilt form, indicating that the Mind Flayer is still manipulating Will as his weapon and key to unlocking the Upside Down’s curse.
Hidden Easter Eggs
Throughout the trailer, there are clues to Vecna’s plans for Hawkins and beyond. The Creel House from season two is no longer Vecna’s base; instead, the Upside Down version of town hall has become his new home. The eerie, towering structure suggests that the Mind Flayer will be more closely tied to the real-world world than ever before.
The trailer also hints at more military involvement, as evidenced by checkpoints and armored vehicles. The Duffer Brothers have said that the show will explore “government quarantine and a war over control of inter-dimensional portals.” With the return of Dr Kay (Linda Hamilton), it seems the government has taken a more aggressive stance against the Upside Down.
One of the most interesting hidden Easter eggs is that Karen Wheeler (Nancy and Mike’s mom) is given her own character poster. This has led some fans to believe she may be more important than previously thought.
The trailer also makes a clear return to Hawkins Lab, which received less attention in season 4. A force field is seen surrounding the building, and it’s possible this is connected to the Upside Down. It could also be related to the Tesseract, the mystical object that powers the Stranger Things universe. Lastly, the trailer shows Eleven using her banishment abilities, but she’s not sent to Hellscape this time.
Plot Hints
A number of theories have been swirling around the Stranger Things season 5 premiere, particularly when it comes to who will die and who will live. But one of the biggest hints comes in the form of a key character’s name.
Fans have been theorizing that Eddie Munson (Joseph Quinn) won’t return after the Duffer Brothers confirmed that he is “fully under the ground.” But a brief shot of him in the trailer suggests he may not be dead after all.
Other key hints come in the form of Mike’s comments and shots of a military outpost. The latter could hint at the fact that the US government is imposing a quarantine on Hawkins in response to its monster problem. This would explain why the gang is constantly hiding out and why they’re traveling via underground tunnels.
The trailer also shows Eleven performing impressive feats with her telekinetic powers, notably when she stealthily glides over barbed wire fences in the dead of night. This hints that she is still capable of using her powers on a large scale, although she seems more controlled in this trailer than in past seasons. In addition, a shot of her hovering over a barracks hints that she may have a new way to use her powers to help her friends fight back against the Demogorgons.
Character Details
The trailer for Stranger Things Season 5 is chock full of character details viewers may have missed. For one, the Wheeler family has a new addition named Derek. He’s seen a few times in behind-the-scenes photos, and he might be the key to solving a long-running mystery on the show.
The Duffer Brothers have teased that this season will answer the question of what the Upside Down really is. In addition, they’ve confirmed that the finale will bring closure to many of the show’s mysteries.
This will also be the last time the core cast reunites on screen. The final season of the Netflix hit will see Winona Ryder, David Harbour, Finn Wolfhard, Noah Schnapp, Gaten Matarazzo, Charlie Heaton, Natalia Dyer, and Joe Keery reprise their roles.
The Duffer Brothers have confirmed that the series will end with its two-hour finale, which is slated to debut in over 350 theaters on December 31, 2025. The company’s decision to go with a theatrical release for the series finale is a bold move that could change how viewers gather and watch the latest episode of Stranger Things. It will be interesting to see how this change in strategy plays out and what impact it has on the future of streaming for Netflix.