Katie Anderson
Editor-In-Chief
The “Stranger Things” series came to a heartfelt close on Dec. 31, 2025, and the date couldn’t have been more symbolic. Having the finale on New Years Eve felt very intentional, allowing audiences to fully close the “Stranger Things” chapter while carrying its memories forward. After five seasons jam packed with unwavering friendship, chaos, and the supernatural, the Stranger Things finale delivered to audiences around the world an ending thought to be impossible.
The long awaited showdown between our Hawkins heroes and the mind flayer reached its peak with Jamie Campbell’s chilling performance as Vecna. His portrayal of Vecna gave more layers of complexity to the villain than we thought was possible, invoking deep sympathy from audiences with the glimpse of genuine emotion that Campbell embodied in the character.
The battles felt authentic and rewarding, tackling deep trauma and identity while demonstrating that friendship prevails over all. The finale honored this legacy beautifully.
Each character had their own moment and resolutions. The show was full of emotion, but didn’t force tight explanations which I appreciated. Instead, it gave each viewer just enough left to bring their own interpretations to the table.
I had the privilege of seeing the final episode at AMC theaters, and audience reactions alone demonstrated how the story line brought fans together. The full to the brim theater was tossing and turning at every twist. Gasps, screams, cheers, and laughs came from the audience as we all hoped for our favorite characters to survive.
From characters like Steve and Dustin, to even Murray, the connection that the audience had to t h e characters of this show speaks volumes. By the time the credits rolled, there wasn’t a dry eye in the room.
Given the continuous trauma we have seen these characters experience over the past five seasons, it felt refreshing to get a happy ending that felt like a meaningful tribute to the characters.
The finale circled back to how the show began in a way that felt poetic, with every character having the ending that felt right for them. “Stranger Things” was closure and comfort done well.
Leave a Reply