Released in two volumes in 2022, Stranger Things 4 shattered the “80s adventure” mold and transformed into a sprawling, high-stakes psychological horror epic. With episodes often exceeding 75 minutes in length, the season was a massive undertaking that finally bridged the gap between Hawkins’ local mysteries and the true origin of the Upside Down.
A World Divided
Following the move at the end of Season 3, the cast is split across four distinct locations:
- Hawkins: The core group (Dustin, Lucas, Max, Nancy, Steve, Robin, and newcomer Eddie Munson) investigates a series of gruesome, ritualistic murders.
- California: Eleven, Will, Mike, and Jonathan struggle with high school life while Eleven tries to navigate life without her powers.
- Russia: Joyce and Murray embark on a rescue mission to save Hopper from a brutal Soviet gulag.
- The Nina Project: Eleven undergoes a psychological journey into her repressed memories to regain her abilities.
The Rise of Vecna
The season introduces Vecna, the series’ first truly sentient and vocal antagonist. Unlike the animalistic Demogorgon or the nebulous Mind Flayer, Vecna is a psychological predator. He targets teenagers harboring deep-seated trauma, guilt, or depression, haunting them with visions before murdering them in a telekinetic ritual to open “gates” between worlds.
Episode-by-Episode Breakdown
Chapter One: The Hellfire Club High school is a social nightmare. We meet Eddie Munson, the charismatic leader of the D&D “Hellfire Club.” Lucas joins the basketball team to be popular, creating a rift with Dustin and Mike. The episode ends with the shocking, bone-snapping death of cheerleader Chrissy Cunningham in Eddie’s trailer.
Chapter Two: Vecna’s Curse Eddie goes on the run, and the Hawkins group hunts him down, realizing a new evil is at work. In California, Eleven is bullied by classmates and snaps, attacking her rival with a roller skate. In Russia, Joyce receives a mysterious porcelain doll containing a note proving Hopper is alive.
Chapter Three: The Monster and the Superhero The military arrives in California, hunting Eleven as the suspected cause of the Hawkins murders. Dr. Sam Owens intercepts her, convincing her to join “The Nina Project.” In Hawkins, Nancy and Robin investigate the local asylum to learn about Victor Creel, a man who survived a similar “demon” attack in the 1950s.
Chapter Four: Dear Billy The emotional heart of the season. Max realizes she is Vecna’s next target. As she prepares for death, the group discovers that music can act as a lifeline to reality. In an iconic sequence, Max escapes Vecna’s “Mind Lair” while running toward her friends to the sound of Kate Bush’s “Running Up That Hill.”
Chapter Five: The Nina Project Eleven is forced to relive her time at Hawkins Lab in 1979. She meets a kind orderly who helps her navigate the competitive environment of the other “numbers.” In Hawkins, the group discovers “Watergate”—a portal at the bottom of Lovers’ Lake.
Chapter Six: The Dive Steve dives into the lake to find the gate and is pulled into the Upside Down, followed by Nancy, Robin, and Eddie. In Russia, Hopper fights a Demogorgon in a gladiator-style pit for the entertainment of the guards.
Chapter Seven: The Massacre at Hawkins Lab The “Mid-season Finale” delivers a massive twist. Eleven realizes the “Orderly” is actually 001 (Henry Creel). He murdered the other children, and Eleven was the one who banished him to the Upside Down, where he transformed into Vecna. Meanwhile, Nancy is trapped by Vecna in the Upside Down, where he reveals his origins to her.
Chapter Eight: Papa Dr. Brenner (“Papa”) tries to keep Eleven at the facility, but the military raids the base. Eleven uses her restored powers to destroy a helicopter and escapes with Mike and the California crew. In Hawkins, the group prepares for a multi-phase assault on Vecna.
Chapter Nine: The Piggyback The epic 2.5-hour finale. The plan involves Eleven “piggybacking” into Max’s mind from a pizza dough freezer in Nevada to fight Vecna. Eddie Munson gives his life in the Upside Down in a legendary guitar solo distraction. While they technically “defeat” Vecna, he succeeds in killing Max for one minute—enough to open the four gates and begin the merging of Hawkins and the Upside Down.
The Final Stakes
Season 4 ends on a somber note. Hawkins is devastated by what the public believes is an “earthquake,” Max is in a coma, and the Upside Down is literally snowing spores onto the town. The stage is set for a final, total war in Season 5.
