Duffer Brothers Tease Most Brutal Death Yet in ‘Stranger Things 5’
Fans might want to brace themselves before the final season of Stranger Things arrives. The last chapter of the Netflix hit will roll out in three parts starting Nov. 26, and the creators say viewers should expect both big action and heavy emotions.
Matt and Ross Duffer explained that the new season aims to close out the story in a meaningful way.
While the overall level of violence may not exceed season 4, Matt noted that one moment in particular stands out. “I would say season 5 is not as violent as season 4, but it has the most violent death of any season,” he told The Times.
According to the brothers, they’ve tried to avoid going too far with the gore, but some scenes felt unavoidable as the characters and stakes have grown. Ross said they always planned for the show to mature with its audience, even though new viewers continue to join. “Hopefully, parents don’t get too mad at us,” he joked.
As the writers worked on the final episodes, they focused on giving every character an ending that felt right after nearly ten years on screen.
Matt shared that he doesn’t pay much attention to fan theories or online speculation, saying he isn’t sure what people are hoping to see. For the brothers, the story needed to stay true to the themes they set out to explore from the beginning.
Ross added that the final season continues the show’s coming-of-age arc. He explained that Vecna was created to represent the fear and uncertainty that come with growing up, and the story will continue to examine how the characters confront those challenges.
At long last… we can begin. The trailer for the epic final season of STRANGER THINGS is HERE. pic.twitter.com/5qi9memqSv
— Netflix (@netflix) October 30, 2025
Season 5 takes place one year after the events of season 4, set in the fall of 1987. Hawkins is still dealing with the aftermath of the Rifts opening, and the main group is now united around a clear mission: find Vecna and stop him. But with the villain missing and his plans unknown, the threat remains wide open.
Netflix will release Season 5 in three parts at 8 p.m. ET: Volume 1 on Nov. 26, Volume 2 on Dec. 25, and the series finale on Dec. 31.
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