Brace yourself, Stranger Things fans—things are about to get even more sinister than they already have.
Series co-creator Ross Duffer revealed that Volume 2 of the fifth and final season has officially wrapped production, and his preview of what’s coming in episodes 5-7 suggests the show is heading into its darkest territory yet.
Ross took to Instagram Thursday to tease the three new episodes arriving on Christmas Day, unveiling the titles for each chapter and their respective directors while offering tantalizing hints about what viewers can expect.
Episode 5: ‘Shock Jock’ Goes Darker Than Ever
“Shock Jock” picks up moments after the end of “Sorcerer”. Frank Darabont is back, but he flexes very different muscles on this one than he did on “Turnbow Trap”— it’s far darker, and far scarier.
The return of acclaimed director Frank Darabont (The Shawshank Redemption, The Green Mile) promises an intense shift in tone, suggesting the stakes are escalating as the season barrels toward its conclusion.
Episode 6: ‘Escape From Camazotz’ Brings the Tears
Ross revealed that episode 6, titled “Escape From Camazotz,” will be directed by Shawn Levy.
“Escape from Camazotz” is Shawn Levy’s return to the director’s chair. It’s the biggest episode of the three— and the performances make us cry every time we watch it.
The episode’s title references Camazotz, the dark planet from Madeleine L’Engle’s A Wrinkle in Time, hinting at a potentially nightmarish setting where conformity and control reign supreme—themes that align perfectly with Vecna’s menacing influence.
Episode 7: ‘The Bridge’ Sets Up the Finale
The final episode of Volume 2 is co-directed by Ross, his brother and co-creator Matt Duffer, and Levy.
“The Bridge”… Don’t want to say too much, but aside from the finale, it’s probably the most emotional chapter of the season.
The showrunner promised that specific runtimes for each episode would be announced soon, adding, “It’s gonna be a long six day wait for the finale…”
The Epic Series Finale Awaits
Ross’ reveal comes one week after the brothers announced the official runtime for the series finale, episode 8, “The Rightside Up.” Netflix confirmed the duration while revealing over 500 theatrical locations across North America for the episode’s special release.
The finale will receive a simultaneous release on Netflix and in select theaters starting New Year’s Eve, directed by the Duffers themselves. Netflix launched a popup website, ST5Finale.com, to help fans locate specific theatrical screenings across the U.S. and Canada.
Volume 1 Set a Sinister Tone
Volume 1, consisting of the season’s first four episodes, dropped on Netflix on November 26. The new batch of episodes established a considerably more sinister atmosphere than previous installments, particularly surrounding the show’s ultimate villain, Vecna.
Actor Jamie Campbell Bower, who portrays the mind-controlling antagonist, previously described Vecna to Entertainment Weekly as a “very considered, calm, powerful figure.”
“I felt like I was wrestler going into the ring, but also having those moments of release, like with the fire,” Bower said, referencing the moment a hazmat suit-clad soldier fires a flamethrower at Vecna during his dramatic entrance in the Volume 1 finale. “Even that little moment when he pushes the flamethrower back, making sure that every single ounce of energy was going into that moment.”
Will Byers Becomes a Key Player
With the revelation that Will Byers (Noah Schnapp) can channel Vecna’s powers, the showdown between the villain and the beloved group of fighting teens becomes more complex.
“The relationship between Vecna and Eleven, he very much saw them as equals. She was his sister. He genuinely believed that they could build a better world together. Whereas with Will, he’s just a toy, he’s just a plaything,” Bower explained. “Now it’s an irritating byproduct of the fact that he’s just a means to an end.”
Stranger Things season 5, Volume 2 will bring episodes 5-7 to Netflix beginning Christmas Day at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT. The series finale arrives on New Year’s Eve.
