This year, the anticipation for the fifth season of the Duffer Brothers’ hit series, Stranger Things, has reached fever pitch. Fans have been eagerly waiting to return to Hawkins, Indiana, and watch their favorite characters battle against the supernatural forces of the Upside Down. Especially after one of the heart-wrenching moments upon which Season 4 concluded: the death of Eddie Munson, played by Joseph Quinn.

The tragic ending of Stranger Things saw Eddie sacrificing himself to save his friends. The character was a quirky metalhead who became a close friend and confidant to Dustin, and despite his initial reputation as a troublemaker, Eddie proved himself to be a courageous hero when he faced the terrifying forces of the Upside Down. His death was emotional, and it left both Dustin and fans reeling with shock. As the story progresses, Gaten Matarazzo reveals that his character, Dustin, will be experiencing “intense grief” in Season 5. Here’s a full excerpt from his interview with The Direct.

“…He’s still the guy we know and love, but there is a context of that trauma and that weight of loss that seems to carry on with him through the early process of the season, and hopefully, that’s something that people like to see, see him grow through that arc, and see him start to deal with intense grief at a young age… I think a lot of people, myself included, can really resonate with and understand what that confusion and that rage can feel like. Because it is an enraging thing to deal with. So, I’m stoked for people to see that.”

Matarazzo also teased that Stranger Things Season 5 will have “a different vibe.” With the previous season having left Hawkins in chaos and with Vecna still alive, it’s obvious that the town’s physical and emotional landscape will be darker.

“….I think it’s a different vibe, for sure, because obviously, things are a lot different going into this season, comparatively to past ones. Whereas in the last season, in Season 4, we kind of see there are small victories around in the sense that, it seems like Vecna has been subdued… But also, there’s a big, major loss where we see the rifts open in throughout Hawkins. We see, at the end of Season 4, Hawkins is in real disarray. And so we’re starting this season in the aftermath of that.”

Will Stranger Things End With Season 5?

It took no time for Stranger Things to become a cultural phenomenon. Ever since it debuted on Netflix in 2016, it has established itself as one of the streamer’s biggest and most beloved original series. With its nostalgic ‘80s references, compelling character arcs, and the most immersive and innovative supernatural storylines, it managed to get fans to develop a connection with Eleven, Mike, Dustin, Lucas, and the rest of the gang.

As the show’s creators, the Duffer Brothers, and stars like Millie Bobby Brown have confirmed, Season 5 will be the final chapter of the main storyline. However, this does not mark the end of the Stranger Things universe. The Duffers mentioned in an interview with Variety that, “There are still many more exciting stories to tell within the world of Stranger Things. New mysteries, new adventures, new unexpected heroes.” Moreover, an animated Stranger Things project was also announced to ensure that fans have more stories to look forward to and more of Hawkins and the Upside Down worth exploring.