Los Angeles: Stranger Things fans were in for a surprise late Thursday night when Netflix unexpectedly released the first five minutes of the highly-anticipated fifth and final season. The exclusive clip, titled “The Crawl”, debuted online shortly after the show’s Los Angeles premiere, instantly sending the fandom into a frenzy.
The opening moments throw viewers straight back to 1983, revisiting the chilling disappearance of Will Byers (Noah Schnapp). Alone in the Upside Down, Will nervously hums the iconic track “Should I Stay or Should I Go?”, only to be chased down by a menacing Demogorgon. The creature drags him toward the lair of Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower), who reappears with a haunting message: “At long last, we can begin.” Vecna’s words, paired with a horrifying vine shot down Will’s throat, set the stage for a dark and emotionally charged season.
Bigger Stakes, Higher Emotions
During the premiere, series co-creator Matt Duffer described Season 5 as the show’s most ambitious chapter yet.
“The scale of it is bigger … more action, more special effects,” Matt said. “But it’s also by far the most emotional season because it’s the end of the story for all of these characters.”
His brother Ross Duffer admitted releasing the final chapter feels “nerve-racking” but added, “We’re ready to finally show it.”
Part one will begin streaming on November 27, followed by part two on Boxing Day, and a theatrical release of the finale on New Year’s Day in select U.S. cinemas.
What the Final Season Promises
According to Netflix’s official synopsis, the story fast-forwards to the fall of 1987, after the catastrophic opening of the Rifts across Hawkins. As the town falls under strict military quarantine, the government intensifies its search for Eleven, forcing her back into hiding. Meanwhile, Vecna has seemingly vanished, leaving no trace of his next move.
With the anniversary of Will’s disappearance approaching, an unsettling dread returns. To end the nightmare, the series teases one final, all-out battle—requiring every member of the beloved party to stand together.
Star-Studded Premiere
Cast members including Millie Bobby Brown and David Harbour attended the Los Angeles event, where the mood was equal parts celebratory and emotional. After nearly a decade on screen, Stranger Things prepares to say goodbye, promising fans closure, heartbreak, and unforgettable moments.
As the countdown begins, one thing is clear: the endgame is darker, deadlier, and bigger than anything Hawkins has ever faced.