Note: This story contains spoilers from “Stranger Things” Season 5, Volume 2.
“Stranger Things” is heading towards its finale with the second batch of episodes of the fifth and final season. While Volume 2 of “Stranger Things 5” certainly has its fans, it also sparked a harsher reaction on social media than the wildly popular series is accustomed to.
“Stranger Things 5 Volume 2 had its moments but this finale better stick the landing because so much of this volume was…” said user @SammyJReacts.
Fans praised several of the show’s main performers, including Sadie Sink and Caleb McLaughlin. In particular, a moment shared between the two performers after Sink’s Max Mayfield wakes up at the start of the series’ penultimate episode sparked strong emotional reactions from viewers.
“Best couple on the show,” said @girlsindelusion on X.
Sink was also praised for her chemistry with Nell Fisher, who joined the final season of the series as Mike and Nancy Wheeler’s younger sister, Holly. Another duo that received praise was Gaten Matarazzo and Joe Kerry, whose characters Dustin and Steve got back on the same page with an emotional breakthrough after being divided for most of “Stranger Things 5.”
“I never get over that scene, my heart broke for Dustin 😭,” said @Davebarrerita on X.
Although these performers received largely positive reactions, some parts of the show’s writing and pacing did not. Social media users criticized “Stranger Things 5’s” massive casting, pointing out scenes like Will’s emotional exit as being too cluttered for the beats to fully land.
“Stranger Things really has scenes with FIFTEEN PEOPLE standing,” user @josh_snares said on X.
Other fans have criticized the amount of preparation and exposition in some of the series’ later episodes, with Volume 2 of “Stranger Things 5” containing many long scenes of characters hatching plans and talking about them in circles.
“Most weird things in season 5 are someone explaining a plan in a joking way and everyone calling them crazy,” user @DarkOfTheMovie said on X.
You can check out more reactions for “Stranger Things 5” Volume 2 below.
