After the release of the second volume of the fifth season of "Stranger Things", the series' ratings on IMDb and Rotten Tomatoes have noticeably decreased. The seventh episode, titled "The Bridge", became the second-lowest rated episode in the show's history, second only to the infamous "The Lost Sister" episode from the second season.
On IMDb, "The Bridge" received 6.3 out of 10 based on more than 33,000 votes, and the overall user rating of the season dropped to 8.3. The situation is even worse on Rotten Tomatoes. After the release of the second volume, the audience score for the season plummeted from 92% to 64%, while the critics' rating settled at 84%. Both indicators are the lowest for the series of all time.
One of the key points of contention was the scene with Will, which some viewers found inappropriate given the global events. However, even beyond this episode, viewers note that the second volume suffers from being drawn out, weak dynamics, and insufficient character development.
The final perception of the season may still change. Ahead is the final episode, lasting more than two hours, which should put an end to the story. It is capable of either partially restoring audience confidence or completely undermining it. After all, completing decade-long franchises is never easy - it is no coincidence that viewers still remember the controversial finale of "Game of Thrones".
The premiere of the eighth episode, titled "The Right Side Up", will take place on Netflix on January 1, 2026 at 4:00 AM Moscow time.