The Final Upside-Down

We've been teased about the fourth season of Stranger Things for so long. Then COVID had other plans for the show and things were on hold. But finally, finally, finally we get not only new information about season 4 but a release date!

Netflix announced last week that this upcoming season will be split into two volumes. Season 5 will also be our final foray into Hawkins. That, to me, is fantastic news. Season 4 has been split into two parts with Volume 1 coming on May 27th. The second volume will stream on July 1st. David Tyler over at GQ has more.

Matt and Ross Duffer released a message via the Stranger Things Twitter account detailing the upcoming season releases, but also confirming that season 5 will be the last: “Seven years ago, we planned out the complete story arc for Stranger Things. At the time, we predicted the story would last four to five seasons. It proved too large to tell in four, but – as you'll soon see for yourselves – we are now hurtling toward our finale. Season 4 will be the penultimate season; season 5 will be the last.”

GQ

Stranger Things has been an amazing show. It nailed the 80's look so well. However, for me, it has felt like a show of diminishing returns. Each season left more to be desired. The Duffers have never shown a lack of storytelling skill. I believe that knowing they have two seasons to tell the rest of the story means they can write an amazing story that feels right and concludes perfectly.

There is no show that hit such a cultural mark as this one and I loved the mix of sci-fi, horror, and mystery aspects it brought to the table. I would much rather a show end on its own terms than go on for much longer than it should.