At a Glance
- Season 5 finale concludes the Upside Down saga.
- Key battles include the Mind Flayer showdown and Joyce’s final axe strike.
- An 18-month epilogue sets the future of Hawkins and its characters.
- Why it matters: It delivers closure to a nine-year-old story while revealing how the characters move on.
The Stranger Things season five finale wrapped up the Upside Down adventure, bringing together a crowded cast for one last battle.
The epilogue then looks 18 months ahead, showing the future of Hawkins and its residents.
Season 5 Finale Overview
The episode picks up immediately after the events of “The Bridge,” with Dustin, Steve, Nancy, Mike, Jonathan, Joyce, Lucas, Robin, and Will climbing the WSQK tower into the Upside Down.
They confront the Mind Flayer, now a spider-like creature, while Nancy volunteers as bait to draw it out.
Meanwhile, Eleven, Kali, and Hopper head to the Upside Down version of the Hawkins Lab to stop Vecna from destroying Earth.
- Jonathan and Steve finally bury their hatchet.
- Joyce and Will share a quiet bonding moment.
- The Mind Flayer battle scenes were praised for their scale, with the creature transforming into a massive spider-like form.
- Joyce delivers the fatal axe blow to the dying Vecna, ending his reign.
Key Battles and Character Moments
In the climax, Jonathan and Steve finally bury their hatchet, and Joyce and Will share a quiet bonding moment.
The Mind Flayer battle scenes were praised for their scale, with the creature transforming into a massive spider-like form.
The finale also saw Joyce deliver the fatal axe blow to the dying Vecna, ending his reign.
Epilogue and Aftermath
The epilogue jumps 18 months forward, showing a rebuilt Hawkins and the characters settling into new roles.
Eleven‘s fate remains ambiguous, with the final scene hinting at her departure from the Upside Down.
The final moments feature a D&D-style campaign, where Mike predicts futures for Lucas, Max, Dustin, and Will.
Key Takeaways
- The finale wraps up the Upside Down saga with decisive battles.
- Joyce’s axe strike ends Vecna’s threat.
- An 18-month epilogue shows the characters’ new lives.
The season finale delivers a satisfying conclusion while leaving room for future adventures.
