In building up to the final season, the Duffer Brothers ensure that the coming-of-age themes still resonate during the many memorable — and surprisingly emotional — scenes where characters have to grapple with their personal demons and rise to the occasion. Is
In building up to the final season, the Duffer Brothers ensure that the coming-of-age themes still resonate during the many memorable — and surprisingly emotional — scenes where characters have to grapple with their personal demons and rise to the occasion. Is
Max’s escape from Vecna’s lair that propelled Kate Bush to the top of the music charts. The shocking revelation that Henry Creel, Vecna and Forest are the same person. We’ve always been looking forward to the Joyce-Hopper reunion. Eleven is getting her powers back.
season four volume one gave us so much to take — and cherish — expectations for a two-episode finale hardly seem reasonable, given that so many plot points require an epic conclusion. Do the Duffer brothers deliver this time?
Well, yes and no.
Yes, so what Vol. 1 job exists in spades: the gang splits into three separate story arcs and locations, but still manages to find a cosmic connection to work together; The coming-of-age themes still resonate during the many memorable – and surprisingly emotional – scenes where characters have to grapple with their personal demons and rise to the occasion; The long-adjacent Eleven vs. Vecna face-off mostly delivers; And many of the show’s stars like Sadie Sink, Caleb McLaughlin, Gaten Matarazzo and Natalia Dyer turn in career-best performances.
A scene from Season 4 of ‘Stranger Things’
But with so much in line, it only feels right to point out a few complaints. With some new characters gaining more prominence, the likes of Mike, Will and Jonathan are in constant danger of appearing redundant. The fiery discourse on Will’s sexuality remains unresolved, despite Noah Schnapp having moments. The whole Eleven-Papa story seems unnecessarily drawn out and fails to explain.
And finally, Vecna’s connection to The Upside Down, The Mind Flayer, and all of his demo-minions really should have been a perfect finale for the entire show. But with the fifth and final season already underway, plots have to be stretched out, characters have to be revived, and, unfortunately, still waiting to be kicked off.
Still, Matt and Ross Duffer keep us glued to our screens throughout the nearly four-hour runtime for episodes eight and nine; A true testament to how much we adore these characters—who have grown up with us over the past six years—and resonate with them.
The increase in budget also means that the action pieces and set design are breathtakingly spectacular, as we see the teens embracing Hawkins in full-on haunted Upside Down glory, even as Hopper, Joyce, Murray, Enzo and Yuri also make their way. A horrific Soviet Union prison is infested with terrifying Demogorgons, and Eleven tries to escape to Nevada.
Special credit also to the soundtrack choices; Bush’s running up That HillMax’s from the Walkman is still ubiquitous, but Metallica and Journey may be hot Spotify favorites this week. On that note, the episode also sees one of the most metal concerts — played in the Upside Down, no less — with our resident rock god Eddie Munson (a bow, Joseph Quinn!).
A scene from Season 4 of ‘Stranger Things’
But as good as all the cast is — Millie Bobby Brown has gone on to have one of the most terrifying careers on television — this season belongs to Sadie Sink. As the victim, concerned Max Mayfield, is still grieving over the death of his half-brother Billy, fighting inside his head, and dealing with the sight of Vecna, Sadie is absolutely extraordinary, she shows up in every scene. stealing what she is in. Not an easy task when there are superheroes and villains flying around.
Then again, it all comes down to the end of next time, when we say our final goodbyes to this inspiring crew of geeks and nerds who have taught us that it’s okay to be different, it’s okay to be shy, and that’s what it is to feel. Exactly you don’t belong; Your tribe will find you.
Vecna doesn’t stand a chance in hell.
Season 4 Volume 2 of Stranger Things is currently streaming on Netflix