After following “Stranger Things” for a decade, I was excited to see the finale — expecting it to be possibly one of the best episodes in television. After all, what else could be expected of something that’s been in the making for 10 years? However, when the finale finally came out on Dec. 31 of 2025 — about three and a half years later from when season four came out — I was disappointed and unsatisfied, as were a lot of fans. 

Each season of “Stranger Things” drives toward more intense situations as it progresses. We enter season one with Will going missing and his three best friends dedicating themselves to finding him. It gets bigger in season two when we begin to see physical manifestations of the Upside Down crossing the gate into Hawkins, like the Mind Flayer and the demodogs. Season three introduces new plot elements like the Russians attempting to open the gate under Starcourt Mall and the Mind Flayer using Billy as its main host. The evil Vecna is introduced to us in season four, and the characters go to the Upside Down to fight him. However, the season ends with one giant gate forming across Hawkins, showing the two worlds forming. Finally, in season five, the show presents us with the characters’ biggest mission yet — killing Vecna and destroying the Upside Down. Throughout the show, every season of “Stranger Things” has gotten bigger in terms of antagonists, stakes and intensity, so I think it was a fair expectation that the finale would be mind-bending. 

With the plot of season five increasing in intensity compared to previous seasons, I anticipated an ending that was bigger than anything the viewers experienced before. However, I was met with disappointment when Vecna was defeated and the Upside Down was destroyed — both happening within less than half an hour without any struggle — and the last hour dragged on with what could’ve been a shorter resolution. After 10 years and about three dozen hours worth of episodes building up to this one finale, it was an unsatisfyingly short fight. 

After so much time put into this show — both by the people who played a part in making it and by the viewers — I think the fight and destruction of the Upside Down should have lasted at least an hour to an hour and a half. In addition to the increase in length, I also think that there should have been more close calls in terms of what happened to the characters. I wasn’t on the edge of my seat at all for the entire episode, hoping that a character would be okay, because I already knew they would be. The intensity just wasn’t there, nor was it higher than any of the other seasons. After 10 years of dedication from fans, I think we deserved a little more than the defeat of an antagonist as threatening as Vecna and the eradication of the Upside Down in less than half an hour of showtime. 

Additionally, not only were the higher stakes and intensity absent, but there were multiple plot points that were teased prior to the finale that never really ended up happening. The one I was most disappointed about was that Nancy and Steve didn’t end up together. Whether you agree that they should’ve been together or not, it’s undeniable that it was teased throughout season four and a bit throughout this last season as well. As a viewer, I’m a big fan of Steve and Nancy, separately and together, so the hope that they would end up together was a big part of my viewing experience. In season four, there’s a lot of tension between them, specifically in the Upside Down. Several times, it is mentioned that Steve is still in love with Nancy, and we often see Nancy looking at Steve in a loving way. They also even go as far as to have a conversation about how they imagine their futures, with Steve mentioning that Nancy is a big part of his future. I think it’s a valid assumption for the audience to make that they’d eventually end up together. With this plot point being something that I personally looked for in the show, I was immensely disappointed when it didn’t happen. 

Another reason why I was disappointed with the finale is that the ending of the show was very predictable. Eleven created the Upside Down, so it makes sense that she’d have to die. I personally mentioned to many of my friends and family that I thought she would die in the finale, and I was right. They defeated Vecna, destroyed the Upside Down, Eleven died and a year and a half later everything is normal? The older kids — Steve, Nancy, Robin and Jonathan — go their separate ways for college. The younger kids graduate high school, and they play Dungeons & Dragons for the last time because they’re suddenly all grown up and over any trauma they would still have? 

For such an epic show, it’s too normal of an ending. There are no twists or turns and only a few tears. I wanted to be overwhelmed with emotion, but the only emotion I felt was indifference. I believe the characters should move on, but I don’t agree with the way it was carried out. 

Though it wasn’t the ideal way I would’ve wanted to say goodbye to “Stranger Things,” it’s a goodbye nonetheless. Although I lack some appreciation for the last episode, I have an immense appreciation for the journey. 

Abby Breidenbach is a sophomore on the pre-law track with a law, criminal justice and society major and a minor in creative writing. She loves writing, reading, watching movies and passionately speaking about her loves and interests. If you’d like to chat, email Abby at [email protected].