Warning: This review contains spoilers.

Following five years of theories, speculations, trailers and dodged interview questions, the first four episodes of “Stranger Things” season five are finally on Netflix.

The final season has so far lived up to expectations with exceptional cinematography, maintaining the suspense and horror-worthy gore while increasing fight scenes.

As the audience has grown up, the tone of this volume is more mature and serious. The show is fast paced, leaving little room for the typical slow build despite the lengthy runtimes. The first four episodes are adrenaline raising, and every moment feels like life or death.

“A Wrinkle in Time” tie-in

The show has always nodded to science fiction, the most prevalent being Dungeons and Dragons. There are multiple similarities in the stories with alternate universes and psychological manipulation, so it is surprising that a connection to the classic novel “A Wrinkle in Time” was not made sooner.

The novel is strongly associated with Holly Wheeler as she is frequently seen reading it — so invested that she loses awareness of things around her in exchange for the fantasy world. Her “imaginary” friend is referred to as Mr. Whatsit, referencing Mrs. Whatsit from the book, who acts as a benevolent force with the ability to transport characters across worlds. This invisible guide to Holly has similar promises of salvation and protection yet is revealed to be Henry Creel, or Vecna.

The sinister twist highlights a theme of corruption of childhood innocence as a supposed figure of virtue is shown to be the true villain. There is no clear good or evil — rather, Creel acts like Mrs. Whatsit while sharing more similarities with the mind-manipulating and devious “IT” from the novel.

Beyond the idea of other dimensions and alien species, the plots are both focused on rescue and continually empower children in the face of monsters. Battles are not just physical but mental, involving illusion, memory and identity. The tie-in may also hint at the ending of the show, with a fight going beyond monsters and into the mind.

The Wheeler family takes the spotlight

The Wheelers have always been involved with the supernatural events of Hawkins, with both Mike and Nancy taking central roles throughout the show and their house often being treated like a home base. In season five, the entire Wheeler family has increased its screen time.

Mike Wheeler and Nancy Wheeler are shown to have a closer relationship as they grow older and mature. Ted Wheeler continues being the distanced dad, typically used for moments of comedic relief. However, he does display a burst of bravery when face-to-face with a demogorgon, though his attempts are largely futile. Meanwhile, Karen Wheeler embraces the tropes of both mother bear and feminine rage to protect her child. In an impressive display, she does everything possible to stand between Holly Wheeler and the demogorgon, armed with only a broken wine bottle. In this scene, Karen Wheeler mimics her daughter’s protectiveness, proving the Wheeler women live to defy expectations. Although Karen Wheeler stood her ground and fought to the brink of death, police assume she was on the run with her daughter — a minor detail that highlights the underlying sexism of the ‘80s, as the show has consistently done.

The greatest shift in the family is Holly Wheeler’s involvement, going from a background character to a plot catalyst. Despite her young age, she is shown to have the same courage in the face of adversity as her siblings, taking on the persona of “Holly the Heroic.” She is close in age to Mike from the first season, and the Duffer Brothers do an excellent job of highlighting her childlike innocence, vulnerability and heroism.

Dustin’s development

The lovable Dustin Henderson has taken on a different demeanor following the death of his friend and mentor, Eddie Munson. Henderson has always looked up to an older, brother-like figure to emulate — first with Steve Harrington, then with Munson.

While the loss weighs on the entire friend group of Mike Wheeler, Lucas Sinclair and Will Byers, it appears to be affecting Henderson the most. Grief is a significant emotion in “Stranger Things,” shown through characters like Nancy Wheeler, who lost her best friend Barb Holland, and Max Mayfield, who lost her brother.

The show illustrates how grief can manifest differently. In Henderson’s first appearance in season five, he is bullied for wearing a “Hellfire” shirt — the Dungeons and Dragons club Munson started. He has adopted some of Munson’s mannerisms, seen as he sits at the head of the lunchroom table and even has a similar hairstyle. The parallels are concerning considering Munson’s demise and the question of whether Henderson will meet a similar fate.

Romantics disregarded

In addition to showcasing the values of friendship, “Stranger Things” captures the ups and downs of relationships. However, season five has, thus far, let these romantics take a minor role compared to the action. There are a few touching moments, letting subtlety take precedence over dramatic declarations or breakups.

Volume one has mostly left the love triangle between Nancy Wheeler, Jonathan Byers and Steve Harrington alone. This largely ignored dynamic is surprising after season four fanned the flames of the debate over who Wheeler will end up with by showing her and Harrington reconnecting while Byers was physically and emotionally distant. There were some hints of Harrington’s lingering feelings, such as the scene where he races Byers to the top of the transmission tower. The biggest reveal is Byers’ ring hidden in a jazz tape, which was smuggled in by Murray Bauman. However, Byers cannot seem to find the right time amid hospitalized parents and missing children, so the ring remains a secret for now.

On a happier note, Robin Buckley and Vickie Dunne are officially dating, keeping their relationship a secret. There is a setback when Buckley must choose saving the planet over prioritizing dating, echoing a similar storyline to Joyce Byers and Jim Hopper’s first date. After accidentally discovering the couple, Will Byers and Buckley bond over both being homosexuals in the ‘80s when it was controversial.

Will Byers’ homosexuality was established in the previous season, along with his feelings for his friend Mike Wheeler. This reveal has led many to wonder whether Wheeler will continue to date Eleven or if he, too, has feelings for his friend. However, Wheeler and Eleven were shown discussing their future in a small moment of sincerity. Although, there was an air of idealism talking about a “happily ever after” ending, which is rarely a reality, especially in Hawkins.

In an authentic and touching conversation between Byers and Buckley, Buckley explains that the things we search for in other people can be found within ourselves. The spark of the conversation came from Buckley’s speculation about Byers’ crush on Mike Wheeler. The discussion puts a pause on the possibility of a relationship between the two friends.

Episode four turns upside down

This episode, with a longer runtime than some films, is packed with action and major character upgrades.

The most shocking development is Will Byers tapping into Vecna’s powers. The final scene transforms Byers from the victim to the victor, using the powers that have held him captive for so long. Not only does Byers wield these new powers, but he does so in an epic display of destroying a series of demogorgons in the same vicious manner as Vecna did to victims such as Chrissy Cunningham and Fred Benson. Throughout volume one, Byers’ growth showcases an impressive side of Noah Schnapp’s acting that was previously limited to the scared, sick character.

A close second in unexpected discoveries brings in a largely disliked plotline of the second season. In season two, Eleven’s journey of self-discovery and finding her “sister” from Hawkins Lab, Eight, felt like a tangent from the rest of the show. Now, Eight takes center stage as the reveal behind the mysterious locked door. How she is involved with the military base or what her discovery means for the storyline remains a mystery.

While the end of episode three showed that Max Mayfield is also trapped with Holly, episode four provides much-needed context. Mayfield’s physical form has been in a coma in Hawkins, but her mind has infiltrated Vecna’s. The maze of memories and futile search for escape has left Mayfield with no choice but to hide in a memory that Vecna refuses to reenter. With Holly by her side, Mayfield’s search for a way out is reinvigorated, but the plan is yet to be revealed.

What’s next?

At the moment, the heroes of Hawkins have survived all odds, especially thanks to Will Byers. His abilities mark a shift in the power dynamic — one needed to give Hawkins any hope. Although alive, the children were taken by Vecna, so his sinister plan is in motion. The youngest Wheeler is still missing, trapped alongside Mayfield in Vecna’s mind. Eight has been found, but her involvement remains unknown. Dustin Henderson, Steve Harrington, Jonathan Byers and Nancy Wheeler remain in the Upside Down after taking an arguably small role in volume one. Eleven puts her training to work, but she has yet to come in and save the day as she has in past seasons.

While a lot happened in volume one, viewers are left with more questions than answers. What is going on with the strange wall? Are Will’s newfound powers permanent or a one-time phenomenon? What is Vecna’s endgame? How does Eight fit into everything? Is Dustin okay? Who will live and, more importantly, who will die?

The first four episodes allow for developments such as Will’s powers to feel natural rather than plot armor at work. On Dec. 31, the show that has so many at the edge of their seats will finally come to a close. Volume one successfully lays solid groundwork for a deserving end while making it clear that no character is guaranteed safety.