Read this Stranger Things review to see if the episode “Chapter Three: The Turnbow Trap” is worth watching.
About Stranger Things
- Season 5, Episode 3: “Chapter Three: The Turnbow Trap”
- Directed by Frank Darabont
- Written by Caitlin Schneiderhan
- Synopsis: Will gains unique insight into Vecna’s next move, giving the crew an opportunity to set a trap. Holly explores her new surroundings.
- Airdate: November 26, 2025
- Starring: Winona Ryder, David Harbour, Millie Bobby Brown, Finn Wolfhard, Gaten Matarazzo, Caleb McLaughlin, Noah Schnapp, Sadie Sink, Natalia Dyer, Charlie Heaton, Joe Keery, Maya Hawke, Brett Gelman, Priah Ferguson, Linda Hamilton, Cara Buono, Jamie Campbell Bower, Sherman Augustus, Alex Breaux, Jake Connelly, and Nell Fisher
If you want to avoid Stranger Things spoilers, skip to the overall section at the end.
Warning: Spoilers for Stranger Things Season 5 Episode 3 “Chapter Three: The Turnbow Trap.”
Recap Stranger Things (2025): S5E03 – “Chapter Three: The Turnbow Trap”
Stranger Things season 5 episode 3 begins right in the middle of the action. In their pursuit of the Demogorgon that captured Holly Wheeler (Nell Fisher), Eleven/Jane Hopper (Millie Bobby Brown) and Jim Hopper (David Harbour) encounter an impenetrable wall made of self-healing flesh. As they regroup, they face a new threat when soldiers arrive with a satellite device that paralyzes Eleven. They found her kryptonite. In a tense moment, soldiers discover El and Hopper’s hiding spot and attack. After he disables the satellite dish, El uses her telepathic powers to capture and interrogate an operative. In a tense scene, she reveals that Dr. Kay’s (Linda Hamilton) military base in the Upside Down conceals something significant in a heavily guarded vault. El suspects it to be another powered individual. They have Vecna.
Vecna’s Lair and Will’s Risky Plan
Meanwhile, Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower), despite being physically restrained by the military, ensnares Holly in a nostalgic fantasy of his childhood home as Henry Creel. He showers her with gifts while imposing strict rules against leaving the house and exploring the woods, creating an unsettling atmosphere disguised as normalcy. Vecna abandons Holly to target his next victim, Derek Turnbow (Jake Connelly), an elementary school bully. Will Byers (Noah Schnapp) discovers this through his psychic connection and, frustrated with his mother’s treatment, devises a plan to protect Derek by kidnapping him.
The Gang’s Elaborate Trap Strategy
Elsewhere, Dustin Henderson (Gaten Matarazzo) points out the plan sucks and delivers a devastating assessment. It buys them time. But it doesn’t help them find Holly. Mike Wheeler (Finn Wolfhard) proposes a more elaborate strategy involving the kidnapping of Derek’s family, creating a trap for the demogorgon at the Turnbow house, tagging it for tracking, and following it to Holly’s location. This plan entails enlisting Lucas’s sister Erica Sinclair (Priah Ferguson) to access the Turnbow house, highlighting her connection to Derek’s family. The appearance of Erica and Mr. Clarke fulfills fan expectations for the show’s final season.
Prep and Pre-Assault Revelations
Later, the gang prepares for their assault, with Nancy practicing shooting and threatening to shoot them in their “potato sacks.” Dustin damages Steve’s prized BMW, and Robin and Will steal tranquilizers from a hospital. Emotional conversations occur before their big night, revealing Jonathan’s intention to propose to Nancy and more.
Operation Turnbow: The Ambush
At dinnertime, Erica arrives at the Turnbow house with a big smile and a drug-laced pie. Most of the family passes out. But when Tina refuses to eat the pie, she violently injects her friend. Is she the real villain? The gang then kidnaps the Turnbows and transforms their house for demolition. It features a fun montage culminating with Steve and a chainsaw. Luckily, the demogorgon doesn’t appear before their task is complete, and it remains to be seen if the Turnbows have adequate homeowners’ insurance.
Demogorgon Pursuit and Near Miss
After a few hours, the creature arrives at the Turnbow house, triggering a trap reminiscent of Home Alone. Nancy shoots it with a tracker, prompting the creature to retreat to the Upside Down. Steve, Dustin, Jonathan, and Nancy pursue it in their car, recklessly crashing through properties, raising questions about the apparent lack of military enforcement in the town.
Confrontation at the Barn
In their pursuit, the monster suddenly turns around, prompting confusion among the group until they hear Derek’s disturbed voice, realizing the demogorgon is approaching them. However, they are not adequately prepared to confront it in the barn.
Holly’s Journey and Max’s Discovery
Back at Henry’s mansion, Holly enjoys a playful party in a 1950s dress reminiscent of Little Red Riding Hood. Her fun is interrupted by a doorbell ring, revealing a note and a map from Henry, requesting her assistance at a location marked “X” in the woods.
Holly’s journey leads her to Max Mayfield (Sadie Sink), who is unexpectedly found trapped in the same sunny dimension.
Overall: Watch Stranger Things (2025): S5E03 – “Chapter Three: The Turnbow Trap”
Watch the Stranger Things episode “Chapter Three: The Turnbow Trap” because it skillfully blends suspense, emotional depth, and thrilling action. It’s still disorienting seeing these 20-year-olds pretend to be high schoolers. But this episode raises the stakes with inventive traps, surprising twists, and powerful character moments, especially exploring new layers of Max and Eleven. The tension between the Hawkins kids’ daring plan and the escalating Upside Down threats keeps us hooked. It’s a pivotal chapter that deepens the mystery while setting up an intense showdown, making it essential viewing for both longtime fans and newcomers craving gripping sci-fi drama.
I’m giving this episode 4.5 out of 5 stars
All episodes of Stranger Things are available to stream on Netflix. New episodes of Stranger Things drop on December 25, 2025.”Click the link to read our review of the previous episode, “Chapter Two: The Vanishing of Nancy Wheeler.”
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