Ahead of the final episode’s release, Netflix shared a surprise trailer for the Stranger Things series finale. The short preview features a powerful speech from Hopper to Eleven, hinting at a massive battle and raising serious questions about who will survive the show’s conclusion.
The two-hour and five-minute finale, titled “The Rightside Up,” arrives on December 31 at 5 p.m. PT / 8 p.m. ET. It will be available globally on Netflix and in a special, simultaneous theatrical release in the United States and Canada. This marks the first time an episode of the series will be shown in theaters.
Release Details and Theatrical Screenings
The release of the finale is a major event. The first seven episodes of Stranger Things 5 have already been released in two parts: Volume 1 on Thanksgiving and Volume 2 on Christmas Day. The final episode concludes the story that began with the show’s debut in 2016.
The theatrical rollout for the finale has been hugely popular. Initially planned for about 350 locations, it was expanded to over 620 theaters due to high demand. More than 1.1 million people have RSVPed for screenings, and over 3,500 showtimes across the U.S. and Canada are already reported as sold out. Fans can find participating theaters and available showtimes on the official ST5Finale.com website.
For viewers watching at home, the episode will be available to stream on Netflix at the same time the theater screenings begin. This global release means viewers in different time zones can watch simultaneously. For example, it will be available at 8 p.m. in New York, 1 a.m. on January 1 in the United Kingdom, and 6:30 a.m. on January 1 in India.
Hopper’s Final Plea to Eleven
The core of the new trailer is an emotional moment between Jim Hopper (David Harbour) and Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown). In what appears to be the Hawkins National Laboratory, Hopper gives Eleven a pep talk before their last fight.
“I need you to fight. One last time,” Hopper says tearfully. “Life has been so unfair to you. Your childhood was taken from you. You’ve been attacked, manipulated by terrible people, but you never let it break you. Fight for the days on the other side of this. Fight for a world beyond Hawkins. Let’s end this, kid.”
This speech sets the tone for the finale. The creators, Matt and Ross Duffer, have said a key question is “how can there be a happy ending” for Eleven, who will still be hunted by government forces even if she saves the world. Her journey involves balancing the optimistic worldview of Mike with the more cynical, realistic perspective of Kali.
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Breaking Down Key Moments in the Trailer
While brief, the trailer offers several clues about the final battle. Fans and entertainment sites have analyzed the footage for hints.
- Two Separate Teams: The heroes seem to split into two groups. One team, including Eleven, Kali (Linnea Berthelsen), Hopper, and Murray (Brett Gelman), is shown at the Hawkins Lab. Their plan likely involves using the sensory deprivation tank to attack Vecna in his mind. The other group, featuring Dustin, Will, Steve, Joyce, Lucas, Nancy, Jonathan, and Robin, is shown climbing the radio tower at a location called The Squawk. They are likely working to physically destabilize Vecna’s connection between dimensions.
- A Terrifying Scream: One of the most discussed shots shows Dustin (Gaten Matarazzo) screaming in what looks like horror and grief. This has sparked intense fan theories online about a major character death. Many speculate it could be a reaction to the loss of Steve Harrington (Joe Keery), whose bond with Dustin has been a highlight of the season. Other theories suggest the reaction could be for Mike (Finn Wolfhard) or another core member of the group.
- Max’s Crucial Role: Max Mayfield (Sadie Sink), who was central to Season 4’s plot and spent much of Season 5 recovering, is seen in the trailer walking between Eleven and Kali. This aligns with the plot of Volume 2, where Max uses her past connection to Vecna to guide Eleven and Kali through the villain’s memories as part of a “sneak attack”.
- The Final Showdown: The trailer also shows Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower) lurking behind Hopper in a dark, cave-like setting. This teases a direct confrontation between the two characters. The footage confirms the heroes’ plan: to enter the dimension known as the Abyss, rescue the children Vecna has kidnapped, and plant a bomb to destroy it and all his monsters.
Controversy and Backlash Surrounding Season 5
The build-up to the finale has occurred alongside significant fan debate about the final season’s direction. The audience score for Stranger Things 5 on Rotten Tomatoes has fallen to a series-low of 57 percent, down from averages above 86 percent for earlier seasons.
Much of the criticism focuses on the writing and a specific scene in Volume 2. In Episode 7, “The Bridge,” Will Byers (Noah Schnapp) delivers a monologue where he comes out to his friends. While Will’s sexuality has been hinted at since Season 1, the placement and execution of the scene divided viewers.
Some fans felt the lengthy speech disrupted the pacing and tension as the characters prepared for their final mission. The episode became the lowest-rated Stranger Things episode on IMDb. The Duffer brothers have not publicly responded to the backlash but previously told The Hollywood Reporter they spent a long time crafting the scene to make it feel truthful for the character.
“We worked on that for a while… once we involved the friends, it started to click a little bit more into place,” Matt Duffer said about writing Will’s coming-out scene. Ross Duffer added, “It’s rare, but sometimes there are moments where you’re like, ‘We just won’t capture that again.’”
The creators have also emphasized that Will’s connection to the Upside Down, which began with his kidnapping in Season 1, makes him pivotal to the story’s conclusion.
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What the Cast and Creators Have Said
The team behind Stranger Things has expressed great confidence in the finale. Executive producer and director Shawn Levy shared high praise after watching the completed episode.
“It’s one of the best finale episodes of any show that I’ve ever seen,” Levy said. “I am so knocked out by the mastery that the Duffers show in the finale episode. I can’t wait for the world to see it on the biggest, loudest screen possible, because that’s what it deserves.”
Star Finn Wolfhard (Mike Wheeler) agreed with Levy’s strong sentiment. The Duffer brothers have promised a satisfying conclusion that ties up the remaining mysteries of the Upside Down and the MKUltra program. They also noted that by the time the story reaches the final episode, the lengthy explanations are over.
“We were able in Episode 7 to sort of lay it all out before we hit it into the finale,” Matt Duffer explained. “By the time you get to Episode 8, we don’t have to spend any time talking. We’re able to jump right into it.”
Ross Duffer added that a “sense of dread or uncertainty” hangs over the ending, particularly regarding Eleven’s fate. A look between Eleven and Kali in the trailer suggests Eleven might agree to a dangerous plan that could leave her trapped.
Also Read: Stranger Things Season 5: Fans Say Eleven’s Character Was Weakened and Sidelined
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