Stranger Things 5: First Look and Ongoing Controversy
Netflix released the first five minutes of Stranger Things Season 5, generating both excitement and controversy as the series approaches its final chapter.
Season 5 Opening Scene
Contrary to fan expectations, the new season does not continue directly from the previous one. Instead, it rewinds to November 12, 1983, six days after Will Byers' disappearance, returning to the eerie Hawkins Library within the Upside Down.
Though Season 5 is set 18 months after Season 4, creators Matt and Ross Duffer use this early scene to reconnect the emotional and narrative threads from Season 1, when Joyce (Winona Ryder) and Police Chief Jim Hopper (David Harbour) first found Will (Noah Schnapp).
On-Set Bullying Allegations
The show's press tour has been overshadowed by reports that Millie Bobby Brown accused co-star David Harbour of bullying on set. The Daily Mail reported that Brown, aged 21, submitted a harassment complaint prior to filming, leading to a months-long Netflix investigation.
"While no sexual misconduct was alleged, the report claimed Brown was accompanied by a personal representative throughout the production, which wrapped in December."
No official statements have been released by Netflix or representatives of Brown or Harbour.
Summary
This season's opening revisits key emotional moments from the series' beginning, while the cast faces serious off-screen controversy, casting a shadow over the final chapter of the beloved show.
Would you prefer the tone to be more formal or conversational?