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Stranger Things season 5 is proving a hit with critics, but not as much as earlier seasons
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(Image credit: Netflix)
Stranger Things season 5 has finally landed – well, part of it has, anyway. Volume 1 is streaming on Netflix at this very moment, and reviews are coming in for the first batch of episodes of Stranger Things' final outing.
At the time of writing, Stranger Things season 5 sits at 86% on Rotten Tomatoes, though we expect that score to change as more reviews come in (and again when Volume 2 and the finale arrive). As it stands, though, that's a series-low score: down over 10% from season 1's 97%, and down from season 2's 94% and season 3 and 4's 89%.
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It's not all positive, however, with The Atlantic's review reading: "I found the first four episodes largely joyless and grim... If Stranger Things can locate more of [its] humanity in its last few episodes, it'll be much easier to swallow everything else it’s trying to sell us."
Similarly, Vulture writes: "A few well-acted set pieces can't offset the sense that Stranger Things is less scary and less singular at a point when it should be reaching its Mount Doom–like peak."
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Molly EdwardsSocial Links NavigationDeputy Entertainment EditorI'm the Deputy Entertainment Editor here at GamesRadar+, covering all things film and TV for the site's Total Film and SFX sections. I previously worked on the Disney magazines team at Immediate Media, and also wrote on the CBeebies, MEGA!, and Star Wars Galaxy titles after graduating with a BA in English.
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Stranger Things season 5 volume 1 review: “Can the Duffer brothers stick the landing? It’s sure looking like they will”
It sounds like Stranger Things will avoid a Game of Thrones style finale disaster, as one star says she's "extremely happy with where they took the characters at the end"
Steve, Dustin, Nancy, and Jonathan head into the Upside Down in the official trailer for Stranger Thing season 5 volume 1, and we're even more worried now
Stranger Things creators defend season 5's three-part split, and you'll be fine with it too once you hear their plans for Volume One's "mega-movie"
Stranger Things season 5 volume 1 ending explained: who dies and how those huge revelations set up volume 2
Deadpool and Wolverine director says Stranger Things series finale is "10 out of 10 perfect": "I have to say, it wrecked me"
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