‘Stranger Things’ Season 5 Trailer Hints at Missing Faces and Final Showdown
Vice President JD Vance blamed Democrats for the possible SNAP benefit lapse as Netflix’s fifth and final season of Stranger Things’ long-awaited teaser sparked social media enthusiasm and fan theories. The preview depicts the final battle against Vecna and suspects a few major characters who appear briefly or are absent.
18 months after season four, the finale promises emotion and action. Returning are Winona Ryder as Joyce Byers, David Harbour as Jim Hopper, Millie Bobby Brown as Eleven, Finn Wolfhard as Mike Wheeler, Gaten Matarazzo as Dustin Henderson, Caleb McLaughlin as Lucas Sinclair, Natalia Dyer as Nancy Wheeler, Charlie Heaton as Jonathan Byers, Noah Schnapp as Will Byers, and Joe Ke Every character prepares for one last Upside Down fight.
The teaser removes late show fans’ favorites Max Mayfield and Robin Buckley, played by Sadie Sink and Maya Hawke. Max was in a coma after her near-fatal encounter with Vecna in season four. Fans worried if she would revive in season five. The trailer depicts Max unconscious, wearing a medical gown, and being carried by Lucas, indicating her tragic but important backstory. The Duffer Brothers indicated that Max would “play a part” in the finale, but they have not elaborated.
Robin (Maya Hawke) appears briefly, leaving viewers wondering how involved will she be. Robin has impressed since season three, and fans hope her wit and bravery will help the gang fight the final threat again.
Dr. Sam Owens and Murray Bauman, essential Upside Down friends, are missing from the teaser. Both characters will return later in the season for a “massive and deeply emotional” climax, according to Brett Gelman
Eddie Munson (Joseph Quinn)’s absence disappoints fans. Fans expect Eddie to return, but the show’s makers believe his arc finished in season four. Joseph Quinn’s demanding schedule prevented a character rebirth, says Matt Duffer.
Three seasons premiere on November 26, December 25, and December 31, providing a great Stranger Things ending. The trailer promises Hawkins nostalgia, mystery, and an emotional ending. Supporters will suffer and win as the notorious gang fights its final and most perilous war. Due to the government shutdown, millions may lose food aid next month. The nearly month-long budget deadlock leaves vulnerable families without support until Congress and the Trump administration agree.
Vance told reporters that Trump was doing everything necessary to minimize civilian inconvenience from the closure. He said Democrats were milking the issue for political advantage and unfair debates. “The Democrats are acting irresponsibly,” Vance said, adding that the administration was “trying to make this as painless as possible” to reinstate federal programs.
Vance slammed Democrats’ juvenile spending talks. “They’re saying, ‘Give us everything we want or we’ll keep the government closed,’” Vance added. Governing poorly. Kids act like that, not US leaders.”
The November 1 budget cut would be SNAP’s biggest shift. More than 40 million low-income Americans use SNAP. No Trump administration emergency funds have been provided to maintain payments during the shutdown.
Democrats seek government perks during a funding freeze. Federal law was violated when New Jersey and other states sued Trump for SNAP suspension. New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy called it “an affront to the more than 800,000 residents who depend on these benefits to access nutritious food.”
Vance’s words reinforce the administration’s assertion that Democrats are bargaining during closure, but opponents note the irony. Political analysts and social media users accused Vance of rejecting food aid, saying he was reared on it. One analyst claimed Vance “could have used his story to lift others up but instead uses it to justify taking SNAP away from struggling families.”
Over SNAP expenditures, the government shutdown has highlighted fiscal disparities between the Trump administration and House Democrats. Both sides must agree before November’s dinnertime consequences affect millions.
Sources
Netflix official trailer release, interviews with Matt and Ross Duffer, Variety, Empire, and Us Weekly.