After nearly ten years, the epic supernatural saga Stranger Things has drawn to a close with a monumental two-hour finale that left many viewers deeply moved. The final episode, which landed on Netflix at 1am UK time on New Year's Day 2026, wrapped up the beloved series created by the Duffer brothers.
A Wave of Criticism vs. a Triumph of Emotion
Despite the emotional heft of the conclusion, the release was swiftly met with a significant amount of online negativity. Viewers took to social media to critique elements like dialogue, CGI, and plot consistency. High-profile figures, including Elon Musk, added to the noise with critical tweets, while petitions emerged demanding deleted scenes.
However, this focus on minor flaws overlooks the series' monumental achievement. It's easy to forget that the show was rejected over a dozen times before Netflix took a chance. The fact that it reached five seasons with its original cast largely intact is a rarity in modern television.
What the Finale Got Spectacularly Right
When operating at full throttle, Stranger Things remains unparalleled in its ability to deliver relentless, electrifying action. The final season's pace was ferocious, delivering unexpected moments like Mrs. Wheeler's dramatic fight with demogorgons.
Most importantly, the finale served as a heartfelt farewell to the characters audiences have grown up with. It provided the satisfying closure fans deserved: seeing the Party graduate high school, Steve finding peace, and Hopper and Joyce finally enjoying their long-awaited date at Enzo's. The emotional resonance was powerful, arguably ranking among television's most poignant moments.
The episode skillfully tied up major narrative threads, from the kids' hopeful futures to Henry Creel's origin story, while leaving a tantalising hint of mystery about Eleven's ultimate fate and the meaning of Mike's final Dungeons & Dragons game.
Acknowledging the Debates and Looking at the Big Picture
Of course, the season wasn't flawless. Some fans felt the defeat of Vecna and the Mind Flayer was surprisingly straightforward compared to past battles. The surprising survival of nearly the entire main cast, barring a few scratches, felt tonally unusual for a show that delivered significant character deaths in season four.
Other points of discussion included certain musical choices, like the use of "Purple Rain" in key scenes, and a colour grading style that some felt looked more artificial compared to the authentic, lighting-driven aesthetic of the first season.
Yet, to dwell solely on these aspects is to miss the forest for the trees. The final scene, showing Mike watching his sister Holly and her friends play Dungeons & Dragons before leaving for college, was a life-affirming, full-circle moment that captured the show's core spirit. More than almost any other series, watching Stranger Things felt like reuniting with old friends.
While every show has its imperfections, the cultural impact and emotional journey of Stranger Things is an accomplishment to be celebrated. Before critiquing the details, it's worth remembering to simply enjoy a piece of art of this scale and heart—because television like this truly doesn't come around often.
