Image: Netflix
The regular drumbeat of Stranger Issues information and knowledge is selecting up as we’ve entered the again half of 2025 and are hurtling in the direction of the discharge dates of the ultimate batch of episodes. Whereas most could have been having fun with their weekend, the Duffer Brothers are deep in post-production, placing the ending touches on Quantity 1.
In the event you can imagine it, the teaser trailer was launched practically half a month in the past, and followers are nonetheless trawling over information from the 2-minute and 46-second teaser, however at the moment, we bought 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, combined, scored, coloured, DONE.
“The Crawl” is our favourite, most eventful first episode since Season 1.
“The Vanishing of…” (yeah yeah you suppose who blah blah) has by far the craziest chilly open we’ve ever carried out. One of many sequences we’re most happy with this season.
I’d inform you runtimes, however I used to be instructed to not. At a later date, I assume ♂️”
We’ll come to why this publish has sparked some dialogue in a second, however let’s break down the publish 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 remaining and no additional modifications can be made to the sequence or timing of pictures. As soon as closed, the main target shifts to audio and visuals. If one thing is combined, the sound staff has accomplished balancing dialogue, music, and results right into a remaining audio monitor. When a venture is scored, the musical composition has been recorded and synced to the image. After that, it’s coloured, which means the ultimate shade 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? Mistaken!
Warning: The next part comprises 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, no less than formally, stays blurred out. Meaning we don’t know who’s vanishing, though there’s loads of proof as to who it’s. Based on leaks from early 2024 and loads of different materials (mostly leaked again) since, it’s extensively believed that that is Holly Wheeler. From the teaser trailer, we bought loads of footage from what seems to be the Wheelers’ family.
On principle, printed by one of many quite a few accounts monitoring all issues Stranger Issues, referred to as Hawkins Happenings, has a principle as to what’s teased for the chilly open in episode 2, writing:
A Demogorgon breaks into the wheeler residence 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 recommend he might inform us the runtimes (one thing the creator needed to handle straight final week with unhealthy actors sharing inflated and untrue runtimes online), however that Netflix wouldn’t let him.
Elsewhere in Stranger Issues Information…
There have been a lot 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 cellphone quantity has had its message modified if you name the quantity. Beforehand, a poster for the show 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 cellphone quantity has now been up to date. Earlier than, it performed a quick jingle. Now, it says, “Thanks for the decision. Configure your quantity’s voice URL to vary this message. Tell us if we may also help you in anyway throughout your improvement.”
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 concerning the forthcoming remaining season. Summarized, he stated that Stranger Issues season 5 can 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 can 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 12 months’s Eve. Every quantity releases at 5 pm PT/8 pm ET. For these in Europe and Asia, you have to so as to add a day to the dates listed.