Warning: SPOILERS for Stranger Things season 4.
With audiences eagerly awaiting Stranger Things season 5, the show's creators the Duffer brothers have shared several reveals about the final season of the Netflix show. Although Stranger Things propelled the Duffer brothers to stardom, they're already anticipating their next moves after Stranger Things season 5 ends, as it's been announced that they will helm another new live-action adaptation of the anime Death Note for Netflix. Nonetheless, they've clearly got Stranger Things on their mind before they tackle other properties. In a flurry of interviews and questions after the Stranger Things season 4 ending, the Duffer brothers have revealed several plot points about the final season, as well as how long it'll be before it hits Netflix catalogs once again.
The ending of Stranger Things season 4 marks a real turning point in the series. The Upside Down has finally come to Hawkins, meaning the quaint little Indiana town will likely never be the same again. As such, Vecna's plan was a success, and despite Eleven's best efforts, she couldn't defeat 001 for good. Stranger Things season 4 is therefore the first time that the good guys haven't won, and the ending closely resembles the sense of loss felt in Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, which the Duffer brothers revealed was a key influence for season 4.
Stranger Things season 4's darker tone and consequences - such as the death of Eddie Munson - will likely be transferred into the show's final season as Eleven and the gang fight their biggest battle yet, and the consequences of which must be impactful. While there's no mystery as to what will concern the characters when Stranger Things season 5 begins, there's a minefield of theories about how the show will end. In spite of the theories, Stranger Things has never been afraid to share or hint at plot points of the show prior to a season's release, such as confirming that Jim Hopper is alive in Russia before season 4 aired. Here are the plot points that the Duffer brothers have confirmed about Stranger Things season 5, and the things they have teased along the way.
The Wait For Stranger Things' Final Season Won't Be Too Long
After Stranger Things season 3 was released in 2019, there was a three-year wait for season 4. The wait was mainly a result of setbacks caused by the coronavirus pandemic, but it was the longest hiatus between any season of the show. Due to Stranger Things' popularity and the ages of the cast, the Duffer brothers have stated that they do not want a similar wait for season 5, and even mentioned that if they were able to shoot seasons 4 and 5 back-to-back then they would have. Of course, that is not possible due to scheduling conflicts, however, the development of Stranger Things season 5 will soon be underway. The Duffer brothers revealed (via Variety) that the writers' room for season 5 is going to begin in the first week of August 2022. The writing process may not take as long as usual, as well, due to the fact that the Duffer brothers claim that they have most of season 5 mapped out already.
Stranger Things Season 5 Won't Be As Long As Season 4
There was a lot of discourse around the huge length times of Stranger Things season 4 episodes, with the final episode totaling over two hours. The Duffer brothers are aware of the bumper 13-hour season, and are looking to trim the fat in Stranger Things' final season. Matt Duffer elaborated in an interview (via Collider) that the aim is to make season 5 around ten hours. Nonetheless, he noted that season 5 will still be longer than the first few seasons since there are many narrative loose ends to tie up in order to make Stranger Things season 5 feel as complete as possible. He continued to explain that season 5's runtime will be helped by the cliffhanger at the end of Stranger Things season 4. With the Upside Down taking over Hawkins, the danger to the main cast will be immediate, and there won't be any opportunity to catch up with the characters like there was in the first couple of episodes of season 4, when the characters were not even originally aware of a new monster terrorizing Hawkins. Despite the runtime being shorter than season 4, the final season will still be "feature-length" since there will be multiple smaller endings, similar to Lord of the Rings: Return of the King.
There Will Be A Time Jump In Season 5
The Duffer brothers have teased that there will be a time jump in Stranger Things season 5. They believe that a time jump may be necessary to help explain why the cast is significantly older than the characters that they're portraying. The discrepancy in their ages is largely a result of the three-year wait between season 3 and season 4. The problem with a time jump is how it can line up naturally with the narrative. As previously explained by the Duffer brothers, the beginning of season 5 will begin immediately in the aftermath of season 4's ending, therefore there'll be no time for a time jump at the beginning of Stranger Things' final season. Of course, a time jump may seem more natural at the end of the series, after the gang has defeated Vecna or failed to do so, however, the effect of the cast's ages reflecting the ages of the characters may have diminished at this point. There are some theories the Stranger Things time jump might bring the show and its chronology to 1989, which would see Mike and the gang graduate high school, bringing an end to a cultural and personal era with the end of the show.
Max Isn't Really Dead (But Eddie Is)
The Duffer brothers have directly responded to the speculation around the fate of Max after she became Vecna's final victim and was clinically dead for a minute before Eleven showed off a new power to revive her. At the end of Stranger Things season 4, Max is in a comatose state in the hospital, leaving her fate in the balance. The Duffer brothers revealed details about Max while speaking with Josh Horowitz for the Happy Sad Confused podcast, saying that "she's braindead, but she's alive. Brain-dead and blind" Ross Duffer added, "And all her bones are broken, but she's doing great." Despite her grim state, there's still the possibility of Max returning in Stranger Things season 5.
The same doesn't look possible for Eddie Munson. First introduced in season 4, Eddie endeared himself to viewers around the world, yet he ironically died protecting the people of Hawkins that branded him an outcast and murderer. Matt and Ross Duffer do not speak favorably about the possibility of Eddie returning in Stranger Things season 5, confirming that he is dead. Matt Duffer said that "We sort of saw Eddie as a bit of doomed character." Doomed may even be an understatement, with Ross Duffer confirming that "He was always going to be a tragic character. There was no other arc for him." Although Eddie is dead, there are theories that Eddie might return as a villain and a pawn of Vecna, although that would only enhance the tragedy of his character.
Stranger Things Season 5 Will Explore What The Upside Down Is
Although Stranger Things season 4 spent more time in the Upside Down than any other season, it still remains one of the most mysterious aspects of the show. Ross Duffer said that in the enormity of Stranger Things season 4, "The only thing we don't delve into in volume 2 is Upside Down lore." Ross Duffer stated that season 4 hinted at the mysteries of the Upside Down, such as who or what created it, however, he also revealed that such answers about the Upside Down "is really what the basis of season 5 is about." Vecna's return will probably be crucial to exploring these mysteries, but it's exciting that the Duffer brothers are withholding the biggest answers till Stranger Things season 5.
Stranger Things 5 Will Be Set In Hawkins
One thing audiences do know about the Upside Down is that it has invaded Hawkins, and as such, Hawkins will never be the same again. Stranger Things season 4 cliffhanger means that at least the first episodes of Stranger Things' final season will be set in Hawkins. The cliffhanger isn't the only reason for this though, as Matt Duffer revealed that they want to "go back to a lot of the things we did in season 1." The more concentrated narrative and setting of Stranger Things season 5 could also help with cutting the runtime of Stranger Things' final season. In comparison, the bloat of season 4 is partly a result of the four concurrent timelines that take place, with groups followed in Russia, California, Hawkins, and the Upside Down.
Matt Duffer also claimed that Stranger Things season 5 will have "a lot of the original groupings and pairings" from season 1, because "there's something nice about coming full circle." The point about resorting back to the original pairings is also interesting. Many audiences will be happy to see the original grouping of Will, Dustin, Lucas, and Mike, however, this may mean that Max rarely features in season 5, since she wasn't a part of the group during season 1. It also teases that the romantic conflict between Nancy, Steve, and Jonathan will be resolved, as their triangle was also a plot point in season 1. Nonetheless, setting the Stranger Things final season in Hawkins promises that the show will end with a satisfying sense of finality.
Want more Stranger Things season 4 articles? Check out our essential content below...
- Everything We Know About Stranger Things Season 5: Cast, Setting & Story
- Stranger Things: Biggest Unanswered Questions & Mysteries After Season 4
- Stranger Things Season 4 Cast & Character Guide
- Vecna & Mind Flayer Connection Fully Explained
- How Many Kids Were In Hawkins' Lab (& How Many Are Dead)
- What The Grandfather Clock Means In Stranger Things Season 4
- Stranger Things Season 4 Volume 1 Easter Eggs & References
- What Happened To Max In The Stranger Things 4 Finale?