The 8 Burning Questions Stranger Things Season 5 Must Resolve

With just three episodes, the second volume of Stranger Things season 5 finally pulled back the curtain on one of the show’s most puzzling secrets, giving fans a real answer about the Upside Down’s true nature. But as the dust settles, even more mysteries have surfaced, and with only 128 minutes left in Hawkins, it ’s hard not to wonder if everything will be wrapped up. Jim Hopper ’s actor, David Harbour, promised that all the “OG storylines” would get a satisfying sendoff, but with so many characters and wild plot twists, that’s a tall order. Here are the eight questions that need to be addressed before the credits roll.

The Mind Flayer’s Fate and the Upside Down’s Timeline

The Mind Flayer’s monstrous form was destroyed at the end of season 3, but it’s clear that wasn’t the last we’ll see of it. Dustin’s theory that the Abyss is the original home of the demogorgons, demobats, and the Mind Flayer, and Henry’s past encounters with the creature, make it almost certain the Mind Flayer will return. The real question is: where has it been hiding while Eleven and her friends have been battling Vecna? And is it really the mastermind behind everything?

Another lingering mystery is why the Upside Down is stuck on November 6, 1983. That’s the day Dr. Brenner forced Eleven into telepathic contact with a demogorgon, but why is the alternate dimension frozen in that moment? Unless Dustin can crack the code, we might need a physicist to explain this one.

Strange Reactions and Unanswered Backstories

After Nancy blasted the exotic matter with her shotgun, she and Jonathan passed out in the Upside Down’s version of Hawkins Lab. When they woke up, the goo that had covered the stairs was now solidified at table height. Their heart-to-heart about their relationship seemed to trigger the change, but why did the goo stop moving? The timing felt a little too convenient, and fans want to know what’s really going on.

Then there’s Henry’s fear of the cave where Max has been hiding. A flashback shows a young Henry stumbling upon a wounded man with a metallic briefcase in a mine shaft. After being shot in the hand, Henry kills the man and takes the briefcase, but the full story remains a mystery. Those who’ve seen the stage show, Stranger Things: The First Shadow, might have some clues, but the series still owes the rest of us an explanation.

Motives, Plans, and Relationships on the Line

Vecna’s desire to merge the Abyss with the real world is still unclear. He’s talked about wanting a world free from binary control, where only the superpowered survive, but if he’s so afraid of a cave, is he really ready to live in a nightmare landscape?

Kali and Hopper’s intentions are also up in the air. After Hopper ran through the Upside Down with a bomb and Kali tried to convince Eleven to make the ultimate sacrifice, it’s hard to trust that either of them won’t do something drastic in the finale. Hopefully, they’ll find another way to protect the people they care about.

Emotional Confessions and the Final Toll

Episode 7, “The Bridge,” saw Will come out as gay to his friends, mentioning an unrequited crush but never telling Mike directly how he feels.

“Once Will is talking about Tammy and all that and his experience, yeah, it’s Mike – and his friends – all realizing and understanding now for the first time, even if Mike has been somewhat oblivious over these years, what his friend is saying,”

Ross explained. Fans are hoping for a more direct and heartfelt conversation between Will and Mike in the finale.

Finally, the question of who will survive the last episode looms large. The Duffer Brothers have promised not to go full Game of Thrones and kill off a bunch of main characters, but the plot armor is starting to feel a little too strong. While nobody wants to say goodbye to their favorite characters, it would be a letdown if everyone makes it out unscathed just to avoid backlash.

Stranger Things season 5 Vol. 1 and Vol. 2 are streaming now. Don’t miss the finale, and if you’re looking for something new, check out the best shows on Netflix for your next binge.