Stranger Things season 5’s upcoming time jump length has been revealed in the newest trailer, signaling how long it’s been for the Hawkins group since season 4. Stranger Things season 4 ended with the Upside Down beginning to leak into Hawkins, indicating the main cast’s battle with Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower) is far from over. Before season 5 began filming, it was revealed that a time jump would be happening in the show, although it was unclear just how long after the season 4 finale the final season would pick back up.

Now, Netflix has revealed a new teaser for Stranger Things season 5, which includes the tagline, “In the fall of 1987, one last adventure begins.” Season 4 took place in March 1986, meaning season 5 will be happening 18 months after the events of the previous episodes. The trailer also offers the episode titles for the final season, but none detail what this means for Hawkins and the changes it’s gone through in the year and a half since season 4 ended.

What Stranger Things’ 18-Month Time Jump Means For Season 5

Hawkins Might Be Drastically Different From Where Season 4 Ended

Stranger Things season 5 will be the definitive ending of the series, with all the characters throughout the show trying to keep Vecna from merging the Upside Down with the physical world. This was teased when, in the final shot of season 4, most major characters can be seen on a hillside, watching as a dark cloud descends over Hawkins. However, the 18-month time jump indicates Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) and her friends’ efforts will take quite some time, potentially transforming elements of their town in the meantime.

Since everyone is resolved to stop the Upside Down from merging with reality, it’s possible the characters in Stranger Things are already doing what they can by the time season 5 begins. The lengthy time jump could also offer major answers surrounding Max (Sadie Sink) and her fate, after she nearly died at the end of season 4. By starting it so much later after the previous season ended, it makes it harder to determine what will happen when the show starts up again. However, it does tease plenty of surprises given just how long it’s been.

Our Take On Stranger Things Season 5’s 18-Month Time Jump

The Show Is Continuing A Seasonal Tradition

Custom image by Yeider Chacon

Although it’s unclear why over a year will have gone by at the start of season 5 despite season 4’s cliffhanger ending, the time jump confirms the final episodes will be honoring a series tradition. The show has always featured yearly time gaps between its seasons, making it unsurprising that the final season will be employing a similar model. While this means Stranger Things season 5 could start out very different from previous entries, that surprise also make the forthcoming episodes all the more anticipatory.