Image: Netflix
The regular drumbeat of Stranger Issues information and data is choosing up as we’ve entered the again half of 2025 and are hurtling in direction of the discharge dates of the ultimate batch of episodes. Whereas most may have been having fun with their weekend, the Duffer Brothers are deep in post-production, placing the ending touches on Quantity 1.
Should you can consider it, the teaser trailer was launched practically half a month in the past, and followers are nonetheless trawling over info from the 2-minute and 46-second teaser, however right now, we received one other official replace as the discharge date for Quantity 1 quick approaches. Posting on Instagram, Ross Duffer teased the place we’re as much as with post-production, writing:
“Chapters One and Two: locked, blended, scored, coloured, DONE.
“The Crawl” is our favourite, most eventful first episode since Season 1.
“The Vanishing of…” (yeah yeah you suppose you recognize who blah blah) has by far the craziest chilly open we’ve ever completed. One of the sequences we’re most proud of this season.
I’d let you know runtimes, however I used to be informed to not. At a later date, I suppose ♂️”
We’ll come to why this submit has sparked some dialogue in a second, however let’s break down the submit little by little.
Beginning with the post-production replace itself, and the assorted phrases and what they imply. When a venture is locked, it means the edit is closing and no additional modifications will likely be made to the sequence or timing of photographs. As soon as closed, the main target shifts to audio and visuals. If one thing is blended, the sound crew has accomplished balancing dialogue, music, and results right into a closing audio monitor. When a venture is scored, the musical composition has been recorded and synced to the image. After that, it’s coloured, that means the ultimate coloration grading is completed to make sure visible consistency and temper.
Then we come to the episode titles for chapters one and two, which Netflix revealed on Stranger Issues Day 2024. Nothing too controversial, proper? Unsuitable!
Warning: The next part accommodates spoilers. Proceed with warning!
The controversy… or on the very least, let’s name it intense hypothesis, is relating to the title for episode 2. You see, the ending of chapter two’s title, a minimum of formally, stays blurred out. Meaning we don’t know who’s vanishing, though there’s a lot of proof as to who it’s. Based on leaks from early 2024 and many of different materials (largely leaked once more) since, it’s extensively believed that that is Holly Wheeler. From the teaser trailer, we received a lot of footage from what appears to be the Wheelers’ family.
On idea, printed by one of the quite a few accounts monitoring all issues Stranger Issues, referred to as Hawkins Happenings, has a idea as to what’s teased for the chilly open in episode 2, writing:
A Demogorgon breaks into the wheeler dwelling towards the tip of Episode 1, inflicting Ep2 to kick off with both Holly vanishing, or Karen on the best way to the hospital.
Lastly, Ross Duffer did counsel he may inform us the runtimes (one thing the creator needed to handle straight final week with unhealthy actors sharing inflated and unfaithful runtimes on-line), however that Netflix wouldn’t let him.
Elsewhere in Stranger Issues Information…
There have been tons of reveals and tidbits launched about Netflix’s upcoming merchandise plans for season 5, which appear substantial. Followers have found new Funko Pop Vinyls on the best way, collaborations with cereal, sweet, and cookie makers.
Matthew Modine teased Stranger Things: Catalyst on his Instagram feed a number of days in the past, writing, “Oh! What’s this thriller? What’s this magic?” It’s referring to a brand new expertise that Netflix is partnering with Sandbox VR for late 2025 (they’ve beforehand partnered for Insurgent Moon and Squid Sport), with the expertise taking you to various locations across Hawkins.
Followers additionally noticed that the WSQK telephone quantity has had its message modified if you name the quantity. Beforehand, a poster for the present featured a quantity that, when dialed, noticed you get to the voicemail of Hawkins PD requesting info relating to the whereabouts of Jane Hopper.
🚨 Is One thing Occurring!?🚨
The WSQK telephone quantity has now been up to date. Earlier than, it performed a short jingle. Now, it says, “Thanks for the decision. Configure your quantity’s voice URL to alter this message. Tell us if we will help you in anyway throughout your growth.”
What are… pic.twitter.com/R5XFRiVQb6
— Hawkins Happenings (@hawkinshappens) July 26, 2025
Lastly, this weekend, David Harbour appeared on the Tampa Bay Comic Convention and teased multiple things in regards to the forthcoming closing season. Summarized, he stated that Stranger Issues season 5 will likely be an emotional, multi-dimensional journey that brings satisfying conclusions to the characters, particularly specializing in Hopper’s relationships with Joyce and Eleven, each of which is able to obtain significant and rewarding payoffs.
Stranger Issues 5 is coming to Netflix in three elements: Quantity 1 (Episodes 1-4) on November twenty sixth, adopted by Quantity 2 (Episodes 5-7) on Christmas Day, and the Finale (Episode 8) on New Yr’s Eve. Every quantity releases at 5 pm PT/8 pm ET. For these in Europe and Asia, you’ll need so as to add a day to the dates listed.
