Stranger Things Season 5 Volume 2 review: Exhausting, long-winded detour that feels like empty filler on the road to the finale

Stranger Things Season 5 Volume 2 story:

The town of Hawkins is still under tight military quarantine in Stranger Things Season 5 Volume 2 after the cataclysmic rifts created by Vecna, and the stakes for Hawkins have never been higher. Despite the dispersed nature of the main characters, the story revolves around their mission to save Holly Wheeler, who has been kidnapped and is now stuck in a psychotic dreamscape known as "Camazotz" with the consciousness of a comatose Max Mayfield. Eleven and Hopper learn the terrible news that the military is holding Kali (008) captive, while Will Byers realises his full potential by using his telepathic link with the hivemind to predict Vecna's moves. The Hawkins crew gets ready for a heartfelt last stand as Vecna's plot to join the worlds and collapse the dimensions is revealed, setting the stage for the series' epic end.

Stranger Things Season 5 Volume 2 review:

The final moment of the last episode of Stranger Things Season 5 Volume 1 had us in a chokehold with Will Byers (Noah Schnapp) finally showing off his powers. Whether the journey to that moment was worth the wait is debatable, especially as the narrative continues to meander. Well, I understand that the die-hard fans of this sci-fi series are not ready to say goodbye to the iconic characters. Now, seeing these characters on screen feels like a final treat for fans. Yes, I know for a fact that we are just right in the thick of the finale, with one feature-movie-length finale left to watch. However, the emotional and action-packed moments that Volume 1 talked about get a peak drop in Volume 2.

The narrative structure in this volume is a double-edged sword. While seeing Will embrace his 'sorcerer' roots provides a long-awaited payoff, the script quickly retreats into his familiar cycle of self-doubt. It’s a frustrating 'one step forward, two steps back' approach; the writers seem hesitant to let Will outgrow his role as the vulnerable victim, even when the endgame demands a powerhouse.

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To be honest, I was exhausted while watching this installment, with so many dialogues being exchanged, and this time, it felt like the words demanded more emotional value than actions. Multiple teams from different parts of the world, literally, attempt to locate Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower) and comprehend his ultimate plan. On one side, Will, Lucas (Caleb McLaughlin), Mike (Finn Wolfhard), and Robin (Maya Hawke) are in Hawkins, where they witness the demogorgons taking the kids to the Upside Down. Next, Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) and Hopper (David Harbour) encounter Kali (Linnea Berthelsen) and successfully rescue her. Meanwhile, Dustin (Gaten Matarazzo), Steve (Joe Keery), Nancy (Natalia Dyer), and Jonathan (Charlie Heaton) are in a different dimension, attempting to locate Holly (Nell Fisher), who Vecna had previously abducted. The youngest Wheeler is inside Vecna's mind with Max (Sadie Sink), attempting to escape in some manner.

The three episodes, which could have been merged into one, take us nowhere but still seek a new lead. The show, which has been thriving in the genres of fantasy, horror, and sci-fi, introduces a new element that is quite "abysmal" and not what long-time viewers of the series expected. The narrative often relies too heavily on misdirection to keep viewers on the edge of their seats, only for them to ultimately feel disappointed and get up from their seats. I was seriously wishing that now, the plot would go somewhere where the anticipation for the ultimate finale would make it feel worth the wait. However, it appears that the show is taking a path that defies the established logic, which may ultimately be completely unsurprising.

We have several confrontational scenes in this volume, where we are having several chapters wrapped up, as these characters have been avoiding doing so for a long time. However, a fleeting moment of Steve and Dustin's "You die, I die" evokes a strong emotional response, only to fade into the background.

Although there are moments that will leave you delighted, it's important to remember that the characters are now in the endgame. One of the scenes features Max and Vecna, which comes at an intriguing point. This time, the writers have provided a more developed character arc for Max, suggesting that they understand her better than the other characters. Meanwhile, Will is still experiencing some déjà vu, and his portrayal as a "sorcerer" results in a moment that is commendable episodically but lacks depth in terms of character development.

The numerous jumps occurring throughout the episode create a desperate need to keep up, as the linear storytelling makes it more frustrating to watch. However, even though all the information is scattered and these moments come as decluttering, this doesn't elevate the narrative in any way but makes it more jarring.

The show's slow pace in revealing their plan to close the gate feels quite cumbersome. I am so worried that the makers, who seem to be under no pressure, are making it go the Game of Thrones way. However, hope is still there for the final episode, which will begin the new year. But the pace at which the Duffer Brothers intended to showcase the high emotional value seems to be more on par with fillers than the real effective episodes.

It has been a long three-hour viewing filled with unimportant content, but there is still hope for a world that needs to come to an end. However, the middle part of the final season will constantly make you think that you have witnessed this scene or dialogue before, and we are continually reminded that the world we are sucked into is not unknown anymore.

Stranger Things Season 5 Volume 2 verdict:

While Volume 2 offers some heartfelt moments, the narrative feels stuck in its own Upside Down, spinning its wheels with repetitive subplots. Despite the high stakes, this installment feels more like a long-winded detour than a direct path to the endgame. We can only hope the series finale finally closes the gate on the fluff and delivers the payoff we’re all waiting for.