“A Mission to the Upside Down Goes Sideways”
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What You Need To Know:
STRANGER THINGS Season 5 Episode 1 sets up the action for the coming episodes in an exciting way, building anticipation for later plotlines. However, some viewers might be disappointed by the lack of action in the episode, as it’s more focused on story exposition. The episode has a moral worldview, focusing on family and friendship, but also contains strong language, several scenes of scary action violence, and a same-sex couple kissing. MOVIEGUIDE® advises extreme caution for all viewers.
Content:
A moral worldview, as all characters are dedicated to their relationships with friends and family. Scenes are devoted to seeing characters support one another, encourage them to be brave, and try to protect their children; occult and pagan elements of telekinesis and references to other dimensions. However, references to an “upside down” dimension can easily be interpreted as a metaphor for another spiritual realm where evil beings dwell; characters discuss the game Dungeons and Dragons;
35 obscenities, including 13 “s” words, one “b*stard” uses of the “h” word, the “d” word, and crap, three “GD” words, and 3 “JC” profanities;
Several scenes featuring scary action violence, like characters being attacked by monsters and one character being attacked and beaten up by high school bullies, a military vehicles crashes, a character shoots a monster and is kidnapped by another monster where a tentacle is placed in his mouth in another dimension;
A same-sex couple share kiss; a conversation between two characters alludes that the same sex couple engaged in sexual activity, a couple kiss, a teenage couple hugs,
No nudity;
One character is shown drinking wine to excess
A character smokes a cigarette; and,
One character is bullied by several others.
More Detail:
Episode 1 of Season 5 of STRANGER THINGS picks up over a year after the events of the Season 4 finale. The show’s characters are trapped in Hawkins, with the U.S. military keeping the town’s residents in quarantine as they continue to explore the Upside Down secretly.
However, this doesn’t stop the group from carrying out its own missions. As Mike, Lucas, Will, and Dustin continue attending high school, Eleven trains for another fight with Vecna. Meanwhile, Robin, Steve, Nancy, and Jonathan work at the town’s radio station, using their broadcasts to send secret messages to their group.
When they catch wind of an unplanned military trip into the Upside Down, the group puts together a “crawl” — their own mission to explore the alternate dimension and try to find Vecna.
Everyone meets up to plan and execute this “crawl,” sending former police chief Hopper into the Upside Down. However, when an unexpected attack breaks up their radio connection with him, the group must figure out how to rescue Hopper — and fight off an unexpected attack that’s heading their way.
The first episode of Season 5 of STRANGER THINGS does an excellent job of introducing us to the new season’s drama. We get to see where each of the large cast characters have ended up, as well as how they’re dealing with the events of Season 4. However, some viewers might be disappointed in the relative lack of action, as Episode One is devoted to expositions, rather than exciting scenes.
Episode 1, Season 5 of STRANGER THINGS has a moral worldview. The characters are devoted to their friends and family, with many scenes focused on their relationships and the importance of those bonds. The season contains elements of telekinesis and references to other dimensions. However, references to an “upside down” dimension can easily be interpreted as a metaphor for another spiritual realm where evil monsters dwell. The episode contains strong language, several scenes of scary action violence, and a same-sex couple kissing. MOVIEGUIDE® advises extreme caution for all viewers.
