Spoiler-Free Review of “Stranger Things” Season 5: Part 1 on Netflix: A Solid Start to the End

*This is a spoiler-free review for season five so feel free to read on!*

“It was always just about me…”

Stranger Things season five (part 1) premiered on Netflix on November 26th 2025 with four new episodes available to stream now. Part two will release on December 25th and the series finale will air on December 31st. The sci-fi horror series stars Winona Ryder, David Harbour, Millie Bobby Brown, Finn Wolfhard, Sadie Sink, Joe Keery, Maya Hawke, and Natalia Dyer. Each episode runs for approximately 90-140 minutes.

Our beloved group is put to the test once again as they try to stop Vecna from abducting the children of Hawkins before it’s too late.

Here is the trailer:

Stranger Things season five brings us back to the town of Hawkins after quite some time. Does it have enough steam left to finish out the series in a satisfying way? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Netflix

Great pacing.

The episodes for season 5 are once again on the long side. Each one almost feels like a mini movie, but I have to say that time flew by while I was watching each one. Episode 1 took me a little bit of time to adapt, but I think that’s mostly because I was trying to remember everything that had happened previously. I strongly recommend watching the recap if you haven’t done a recent re-watch.

Episodes 2-4 were fantastic with pacing, however. I was on the edge of my seat and there were so many stand out moments. So far part 1 is delivering in terms of a final season. It really feels like it’s leading up to an exciting conclusion…don’t let me down!

Images courtesy of Netflix

Characters begin to reach their true potential…

It’s about time! There were SO many incredible moments between characters so far. There will be no spoilers in this review, but the conversation between Robin and Will is one of the most vulnerable and real moments I’ve ever witnessed on a television series. It didn’t feel forced. It just transpired in such an authentic way, which truly moved me.

I also really loved seeing some supporting characters step up and I loved the introduction of Nell Fisher (Evil Dead Rise) who took over the role of Holly Wheeler. You can just tell that she’s going to be a star!

Also, shout-out to scene stealer, Erica Sinclair once again!

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Netflix

It’s been some time…

Season 4 came out in 2022 so it’s been a huge gap for the audience. I didn’t have the time to do a re-watch so I was scratching my head quite a few times trying to put the pieces together during certain moments. Eventually things caught up for me, but I wish we didn’t have to wait so long for these episodes.

So far I really don’t have too many cons. I just hope that we have enough time to give each and every one of these characters the screen time they deserve because we’ve spent years watching them grow. I’m confident we’ll achieve it though.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Netflix

I’m in 100 percent!!!

Stranger Things season 5 is off to a fantastic start with plenty of heart-pounding and heartfelt moments packed in.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Stranger Things season five (part 1) in the comments section below. Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

A Halloween they’ll never forget…

When former friends, Shay and Adriana team up to participate in a Halloween scavenger hunt with a cash prize, they temporarily put their differences aside to outsmart their opponents. However, they soon start to realize that a dangerous threat is playing their own version of the game, stalking them during each hunt.

Winning is now a necessity as their lives are at stake. As old wounds and memories re-surface, Shay and Adriana attempt to unmask the threat before the night is over, but soon learn that Scream Hunt is not done with them just yet…

My young adult horror thriller is out now! I hope you enjoy!

Scream Hunt is available here!

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Spoiler-Free Review of “Evil Dead Rise” in Theaters: Blood-Drenched Terror At Its Finest!

*This is a spoiler-free review so feel free to read on!*

“It’s called the Book of the Dead for a reason…”

Evil Dead Rise released in theaters on April 21st 2023. The latest entry to the Evil Dead franchise stars Lily Sullivan, Alyssa Sutherland, Nell Fisher, Gabrielle Echols, and Morgan Davies.

Beth goes to visit her sister and her family when a sinister evil is unleashed upon them, threatening to kill them all off one by one.

Here is the trailer:

Evil Dead Rise brings one of the greatest horror franchises back to life again with shocking gore and truly disturbing moments. Is it worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures

Does the franchise proud!

The Evil Dead franchise is one of my favorites of all time and I think it successfully launched a remake in 2013 that kept fans satisfied while creating something new and terrifying in the process. Well, the latest 2023 entry goes even further and presents us with a chilling and sinister film that flawlessly channels the original films while unleashing a new evil upon us that was an absolute joy to watch on the big screen.

The gore was out of this world, the scenes were each more terrifying than the next, and that title card will probably haunt me for years to come…

Images courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures

Electrifying performances.

Our two main leads were bad-ass and then some! Alyssa Sutherland was so shockingly amazing as a deadite and may be the most terrifying one of all time…

I absolutely loved the character of Beth as well and thought she really rocked the blood-soaked look with flair. There was pure magic between these characters and I was rooting for all of them in different ways.

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures

I don’t have any…

A flawless masterpiece!!!

Seriously, the pacing was on point, the scenes were all so captivating and stunning to watch unfold, and the terrifying moments were truly extraordinary.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures

I’m in 1000 percent!!!

Chilling, gory, and wickedly entertaining!

I’ve been so incredibly excited to watch this film and it did not disappoint! What are you waiting for? See this on the big screen if you can!

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Evil Dead Rise in the comments section below. Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

DON’T TAKE THE JOB…

It was only supposed to be temporary…but when Olivia Crewe accepts a new position that seems too good to be true, she soon discovers that twelve other girls previously had the same job as her. Only none of them lasted for more than thirty days. No notice. Nothing…right before they mysteriously disappeared without a trace.

My supernatural thriller Girl Number Thirteen is out now! I hope you enjoy!

Girl Number Thirteen is available here!

**If you enjoyed this blog, I would love it if you would click the follow button on your way out to subscribe.  Thanks for your support!