‘Stranger Things’ Creators Warn Fans of a Dark and Emotional Final Episode

Netflix is gearing up to release the final episode of Stranger Things, bringing the hit series to a close on January 1 for viewers in the UK. Ross Duffer, one of the show’s creators, revealed on Instagram that the last episode will run for an impressive two hours and eight minutes, making it one of the longest in the series.

Fans have been buzzing with theories about the finale, from speculating whether Steve will survive to trying to figure out the connection between Will and Vecna.

In a recent interview with the Associated Press, the Duffer Brothers teased what viewers can expect. “It’s going to be a dark Christmas… and an emotional New Year’s Eve,” they said.

The fifth season of Stranger Things, officially titled Stranger Things 5, is being released in three parts on Netflix. The first batch of episodes came out on November 26, 2025, the second on December 25, and the finale is set for December 31. The season was produced by the Duffer Brothers along with Shawn Levy and Dan Cohen.

The final season stars the original core cast, including Winona Ryder, David Harbour, Finn Wolfhard, Millie Bobby Brown, Gaten Matarazzo, Caleb McLaughlin, Noah Schnapp, and Sadie Sink. Returning cast members also include Natalia Dyer, Charlie Heaton, Joe Keery, Maya Hawke, Priah Ferguson, Brett Gelman, Cara Buono, Linda Hamilton, and Jamie Campbell Bower, alongside recurring roles from Joe Chrest, Jake Connelly, Amybeth McNulty, Nell Fisher, Sherman Augustus, Alex Breaux, and Linnea Berthelsen.

Set in the fall of 1987, the story picks up after the events of season four. The group faces the challenge of stopping Vecna following the appearance of mysterious rifts across Hawkins. Their mission grows even more dangerous when the military arrives to hunt Eleven. As the anniversary of Will Byers’ disappearance approaches, the friends must come together to face a deadly new threat.

Have something to add? Let us know in the comments!