With Volume 1 of its final season now streaming, Stranger Things returns to familiar territory: eerie Upside-Down monsters, Hawkins under threat, and the core group battling dark forces. The production delivers — the visuals remain cinematic, the scares hit at the right moments, and there are glimpses of emotional depth that longtime fans love. The pace rarely lags, and this first batch of episodes often grips tighter than many modern horror-thrillers.

But this instalment isn’t without its cracks. The show increasingly struggles with a dissonance between its teen-aged roots and its grown-up cast. Dialogue often slips into “corny,” and many interactions feel forced — as if the characters are stuck in childhood roles despite years passing. Predictability creeps in at key moments, betraying the boldness that once defined the series.

Balancing these flaws, however, are strong performances, immersive soundtracks and nostalgia-inducing moments. For many viewers, the emotional core — friendship, fear, loss — still hits home. But whether the show can fully recapture its magic remains uncertain. Volume 1 does enough to excite hope, even as it reminds us that time changes everything — even in the Upside Down.