Read this Stranger Things review to see if the episode “Chapter One: The Crawl” is worth watching.
About Stranger Things
- Season 5, Episode 1: “Chapter One: The Crawl”
- Directed by The Duffer Brothers
- Written by The Duffer Brothers
- Synopsis: “November, 1987. The gang evades the military to scour the Upside Down for Vecna–but fails to notice a threat lurking closer to home.”
- Airdate: November 26, 2025
- Starring: Winona Ryder, David Harbour, Millie Bobby Brown, Finn Wolfhard, Gaten Matarazzo, Caleb McLaughlin, Noah Schnapp, Natalia Dyer, Charlie Heaton, Joe Keery, Maya Hawke, Brett Gelman, Jamie Campbell Bower, and Sadie Sink
If you want to avoid Stranger Things spoilers, skip to the overall section at the end.
Warning: Spoilers for Stranger Things Season 5 Episode 1 “Chapter One: The Crawl“
Recap Stranger Things (2025): S5E01 – “Chapter One: The Crawl”
The Stranger Things Season 5 premiere begins on November 12, 1983, with a de-aged Will Byers (Noah Schnapp). He’s trapped in the Upside Down and encounters Vecna for the first time after escaping a Demogorgon. Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower), who needs Will for his plan to restore balance, suspends him with tentacles and ominously claims they will create “beautiful things together” as liquid is forced into Will’s mouth. This moment sets up one of the darkest character connections in Stranger Things Season 5.
The episode then shifts to November 3, 1987, revealing that the Byers family has moved in with the Wheelers following Stranger Things 4. Meanwhile, Robin Buckley (Maya Hawke) and Steve Harrington (Joe Keery) now work at the WSQK radio station. Robin delivers key exposition about changes in Hawkins, offering viewers a quick yet effective recap of recent events and lore updates.
The town believes the previous disaster was natural, but the newly established “Mac-Z” military base has effectively quarantined Hawkins with mandatory check-ups. In truth, the military is searching for Eleven/Jane Hopper (Millie Bobby Brown) and guarding a gate to the Upside Down, still blaming her for the catastrophic events in Hawkins.
Where Is Eleven? — Stranger Things Season 5 Setup
At Hawkins High, Dustin Henderson (Gaten Matarazzo) continues grieving Eddie Munson, wearing his Hellfire gear despite bullying from the basketball team. While others seem to be moving on, Dustin’s grief anchors one of the premiere’s strongest emotional beats.
A “missing” poster for Eleven hangs in town, but she is secretly undergoing nonstop training to strengthen her powers, supported by Jim Hopper (David Harbour) and Joyce Byers (Winona Ryder). We also meet Dr. Kay (Linda Hamilton), a new antagonist, dissecting a creature from the parallel dimension. She oversees the mission to track Eleven and operates from a covert military base inside the Upside Down, expanding the mythology of the series.
What Is the Crawl? — Explaining the Episode Title
The episode title, “The Crawl,” refers to a military “burn,” a controlled incineration of the Upside Down gate that allows for the movement of supplies. This operation creates a small window for Eleven’s group to slip into the other dimension undetected. Strategically, they must “crawl” into the Upside Down, reinforcing the stealth-and-survival theme of Stranger Things Season 5.
Hopper leads a detailed plan—one of 38 attempts—to locate Vecna in the Upside Down. But doubts arise: some believe Vecna may no longer reside in the parallel world, while Steve wonders if Vecna is already dead.
The premiere’s soundtrack shines again with Diana Ross’s “Upside Down,” signaling the start of the next crawl. In the woods, Lucas, Mike, and Dustin gear up while Will senses danger. Eleven begs Hopper to let her join the mission into the Upside Down, but he refuses to risk her safety.
Mr. Whatsit — A New Mystery in Hawkins
Holly Wheeler, played by Nell Fisher, becomes a crucial figure this season. She speaks with a mysterious man only she can see, making others assume he’s an imaginary friend. Mike speaks with Holly about “Mr. Whatsit,” who warns her about monsters in Hawkins—foreshadowing a deeper connection to the unfolding threat. Holly’s expanded role is one of the most intriguing additions in the Stranger Things Season 5 premiere.
Max remains in a coma after Vecna’s attack, but her friends refuse to give up hope. Will and Lucas visit her in the hospital as Lucas continues playing Kate Bush’s “Running Up That Hill,” hoping it reaches her—another emotional callback to earlier seasons.
Before the Chaos — Rising Tension in Hawkins
At the radio station, Dustin stops at Eddie’s grave to clean the headstone, only to be attacked by members of the basketball team. Injured and missing, his absence alarms his friends, but the mission must continue. Eleven and Mike share a quiet rooftop moment, reflecting on trauma, grief, and their hope for a future after the battle against Vecna.
Meanwhile, Hopper enters the Upside Down, but a Demogorgon ambushes the military forces accompanying him. Will then experiences a terrifying vision of a Demogorgon heading toward the Wheeler home—placing Karen, Holly, and Ted in immediate danger. The group races there, but they’re too late. The premiere ends with Holly alone in her flickering bedroom as a Demogorgon appears, delivering a tense Season 5 cliffhanger.
Overall: Watch Stranger Things (2025): S5E01 – “Chapter One: The Crawl”
“Chapter One: The Crawl” is a powerful, though imperfect, return for Stranger Things. The episode reintroduces viewers to Hawkins through a mix of action, emotional storytelling, and expanded mythology. Despite early concerns about the time jump, the older cast, and the challenge of confronting Vecna again, the premiere handles each element with confidence. While slightly overlong, it ultimately finds the series’ signature rhythm and sets up a high-stakes endgame for the final season. The Duffer Brothers continue pushing the story in bold new directions, making “The Crawl” both nostalgic and forward-looking—an exciting start to Stranger Things Season 5.
Watch the Stranger Things episode “Chapter One: The Crawl” because it does a good job of everything fans of the show love.
I’m giving this episode 4 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.
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