Stranger Things is Netflix’s flagship show that also seems like its saving grace. The show debuted in 2016 and since then has been charting never before seen numbers. While the first three seasons of the show were seemingly back to back, the 4th Season is back after three years. Although, Netflix was smart enough to not let us cherish the entire season all at once. They released the Vol. 1 of the 4th Season that consisted of 7 episodes. They slated Vol. 2’s release dated 5 weeks later i.e., 1st July 2022. Vol. 2 consists of 2 episodes making the total season tally to 9 episodes, similar to the 2nd Season of the show. All the 7 episodes we got this were hefty ones, with their runtime lying between 60 minutes to 100 minutes.
That is almost each episode being feature length. If that seems a lot then get ready for this, the final 2 episodes of the show are even longer. The finale of Season 4 clocked at 2 hours and 30 minutes or 150 minutes. That is longer than the movies we watch. While Season 4 was adored and celebrated by most, there were people pointing out the Season was over ambitious and slow. The finale was the one to take most of the brunt given its insane runtime. There was criticism all over the internet. The show was facing heat where people were asking, “How much Stranger Things is too much Stranger Things?” but I think after watching the finale we can all agree, the runtime is justified.
However, now that Season 4 is wrapped up and the next season of the show is in development there was chatter on the streets or rather the internet that Stranger Things Season 5 might be even bigger than Season 4, in terms of runtime. This chatter is addressed today and we have an answer to this. Let’s take a look whether the rumor is right.
Matt Duffer Talks about the Runtime of Season 5
While talking to The Hollywood Reporter Matt Duffer, the series co-creator addressed the question of Season 5’s runtime and whether it will be similar to Season 4 or will it be even more ambitious. Mr. Duffer mentioned, “I don’t think the run times will be as extreme in Season 5,” said Matt Duffer. “We’re trying to return to the simplicity of the structure in season one, with bigger scale and scope. Except for the finale, which I’m expecting will be pretty massive.”
Along with shortening the next season, Stranger Things 5 will also be ditching one of the most regular habits of the show. Season 5 won’t feature any new characters. It seems like Eddie Munson was the last new addition to the show and in a way it is for the best. Let me explain, I love the characters in the Stranger Things universe. In fact they’re the best part of the show. I mean how cool are Steve and Hopper? However, these are OG characters of the show.
Stranger Things has an annoying of introducing us lovable characters in one particular season. These characters are supposed to only last that one season. They make us fall in love with these characters only to kill them off at the end of the Season. They did it with Bob Newman in Season 2 and Eddie Munson in Season 4. Sadie Sink’s Maxine and Maya Hawke’s Robin are the only characters of the show that were added later in the later seasons of the show but have become an integral part of it. They’ve evolved more than seasonal characters.
Ross Duffer mentioned to IndieWire that they’re avoiding adding new characters in the final season, “Whenever we introduce a new character, we want to make sure that they’re going to be an integral part of the narrative,” Ross Duffer told IndieWire. “But every time we do that, we’re nervous, because you go, ‘We’ve got a great cast of characters here, and actors, and any moment we’re spending with a new character, we’re taking time away from one of the other actors.’ So we’re just very, very careful about who we’re introducing.”
“I just like shaking it up, so we shake it up by changing the plot or adding in a new monster,” added Matt. “We’re doing our best to resist [adding new characters] for Season 5. We’re trying not to do that so we can focus on the OG characters, I guess.”
When will Stranger Things Season 5 come out?
Stranger Things 4 concluded its run on Netflix on 1st July 2022. David Harbour who plays Jim Hopper in the show had basically provided us with the itinerary of Season 5’s development. “They’re finishing writing it [in 2022], and they need to prep and stuff, so hopefully it’ll be this year,” Harbour said. “But I think that’s the plan. So it’d probably come out mid-2024, based on our track record.” Harbour’s estimations are spot on and the release window that he has provided seems pretty accurate. Summer 2024 feels like the best and most efficient time for the show’s last season to come out.
After Season 4’s finale aired, the Duffer brothers were rumored to enjoy a vacation before they began writing the last season in August 2022. This matches with Harbour’s plan. The commencement of the show’s last season’s writing stage was confirmed by the show’s twitter handle that posted a photo of a blank board with only Stranger Things 5 drawn over it on 2nd August 2022. The reflection on the board reveals multiple figures before it. This is most probably the writer’s room. The drawing is exactly in the form of the show’s logo. The caption reads Day 1. This suggests the final season of Stranger Things is right on schedule.
Day 1 pic.twitter.com/9m44RkJnc3
— stranger writers (@strangerwriters) August 2, 2022
All four seasons of Stranger Things are available to stream on Netflix.
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