At Shadow Ridge High School, students shared mixed reactions to the Netflix series Stranger Things after it officially came to an end. The final season consisted of eight episodes, each over an hour long, and concluded the series after almost a decade. Season five was released in three parts, with the first four episodes premiering on November 26, 2025, three more released on December 25, 2025, and the series finale airing on December 31, 2025. Many students waited eagerly to watch and finish their favorite show, hoping for a good ending, however, several long-time Stranger Things fans at Shadow Ridge were disappointed by the unexpected ending.
Although students were excited to see how Stranger Things would conclude, many were not fully satisfied with the final season. Some fans felt that the pacing was rushed and that important details were missing, especially when compared to the earlier seasons that took more time for character development and storytelling. Some students also believed that the writing did not meet the expectations set by previous seasons.
“I thought the last season definitely went by too fast in a few episodes because they left out key details, had some lazy writing, and just didn’t give it their all like other seasons,” Mateos Perez, junior states. “The show is still amazing, and I recommend it to people.”
While some students felt satisfied with the ending, others were left feeling confused and frustrated by the lack of closure in the finale. Several fans believed the finale created more questions than it answered, especially regarding character storylines and plot details. There were many mixed emotions among long-time fans.
“My first reaction after watching the finale was honestly shocked and stressed but also a little disappointed because it didn’t feel like a ‘real ending,’ I felt like there were a lot of things missing,” Luna Martinez, junior states. “There were a lot of questions that were left unanswered and things that didn’t make sense. What happened between Vickie and Robin? How did Max even graduate if she was in a coma for two years? What happened to Derek‘s family?”
Besides being shocking, the ending affected fans emotionally. Although the final season had intense moments, some students were not satisfied with the lack of closure that stood out more than the action itself.
“I feel like the ending met my expectations, but not completely,” Martinez states. “It was intense and emotional, but it felt unfinished on purpose. The finale made me feel sad, anxious, and confused, especially because of the losses and cliffhangers. If I could change something about the ending, I would want more closure and clearer answers.”
Whether satified or disappointed with the ending, many fans can agree the Stranger Things will remain a memorable part of their lives.
