Stranger Things Season 5 Episode 1 review: Beginning of the end strikes a serious tone

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The latest season of Stranger Things is here, but the first episode is a bit of a slow start. It mainly focuses on showing what life is like for the characters now in a gloomy, changed Hawkins.

Almost a decade ago, Netflix released Stranger Things, and it quickly became a worldwide hit. The show gained the massive popularity typically seen with big summer movies, and launched its young actors to international fame.

Created by twin brothers Matt and Ross Duffer, the series expertly blends a loving tribute to 1980s movies with a fresh story, introducing compelling new characters and genuinely frightening moments.

After years of anticipation, Season 5 is finally here, and we’re nearing the conclusion. The first four episodes are now available to stream, and we’ve included a review of the premiere episode, ‘The Crawl,’ below. Please be aware that this review contains minor spoilers.

What is Stranger Things Season 5 Episode 1 about?

The first episode of Stranger Things Season 5 follows the heroes as they desperately try to find and defeat Vecna, but they face overwhelming challenges right from the start.

We see a quick flashback lasting five minutes, showing Vecna connecting with Will Byers in 1983. Then, the story jumps forward in time to November 3, 1987.

Things are totally different in Hawkins now. After everything that happened in Season 4, the government has put the town under quarantine, claiming it’s just some kind of ‘natural phenomenon,’ but we all know better, right? It’s pretty crazy here.

The episode largely focuses on showing how the town has changed – it’s now under strict military control – and on reconnecting viewers with the characters, many of whom are also battling personal struggles.

Striking a more serious tone

Dustin, who used to be carefree and cheerful, is now deeply affected by Eddie Munson’s death. This grief manifests as anger, leading him to pick fights with school bullies. While one confrontation is impressively filmed in a single, continuous shot, Dustin unfortunately ends up getting hurt.

Honestly, I’m getting so frustrated with my friends lately. They’ve all decided the best thing to do is just keep quiet, follow every rule, and try not to stand out. But I’m like, we need to stop Vecna, and we need to do it now! It’s annoying, but as the episode goes on, you realize there’s actually a reason behind their cautious approach – a bigger plan is unfolding, and it starts to make sense.

Eleven is intensely training for an upcoming fight, even though Hopper wishes she wouldn’t. Meanwhile, Murray is secretly bringing weapons and supplies into the restricted area to help her prepare.

Max is still unconscious, and Lukas is staying by her side. Will is struggling emotionally, likely due to the events we saw at the beginning of the episode. Meanwhile, Steve and Jonathan are still both interested in Nancy, though a lighthearted moment between them hints that the new season will be more intense and dramatic than previous ones.

New characters and new threats

Although many elements remain familiar, the first episode of Season 5 introduces new characters and challenges.

Dr. Kay, portrayed by Linda Hamilton of Terminator fame, is a military scientist shown performing a dissection on a creature from the Upside Down. We quickly learn her goal: to find Eleven.

In the fifth season, young Holly Wheeler is at the center of a strange mystery – she seems to be interacting with an imaginary friend. This “friend” appears to be trying to shield her from the dangers and monsters plaguing Hawkins, and the whole situation is quite unsettling.

A welcome addition to the show is Robin and Steve hosting a radio program from the WSQK studio, allowing them to feature more beloved songs from the 70s and 80s. However, the radio station isn’t just for the music – it also plays a key role in moving the plot forward.

Hawkins resistance in action

Rocking Robin’s music and commentary actually serve as a hidden link between all the different characters in Stranger Things, uniting them as they try to save the world from the Upside Down.

Because they don’t trust the military at all, this group is acting like a resistance movement. They’re waiting for a specific event, codenamed ‘Burn,’ to happen before they begin their own operation, called ‘Crawl.’ We won’t reveal any details about either of those plans.

So, the episode finishes with an action scene in Vecna’s world, but it doesn’t really pick up momentum until after the closing credits.

Is Stranger Things Season 5 Episode 1 good?

The first episode of Stranger Things Season 5 doesn’t feel like a complete story on its own. Instead, it’s mostly focused on getting all the characters and plot lines in place for the bigger conflicts to come.

The preview of TopMob included the first eight minutes of Episode 2, and it’s clear why – those opening scenes are incredibly impressive.

Okay, so this first part of the story really focused on setting everything up again and showing us a totally different Hawkins. All our favorite characters are back, but they’ve really changed, and honestly, I think it does a great job of establishing that new dynamic. It felt like a solid reset, and I’m into it.

Stranger Things 5 Episode 1 score: 3/5

Okay, so the first four episodes of Stranger Things Season 5 are finally out! If you’re like me and need a refresher – or just want to relive the best moments – they’ve also got a list of the all-time greatest Stranger Things episodes right here.

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2025-11-27 04:20