What Occurred in ‘Stranger Things’ Season 4? Full Recap Earlier than Season 5
Season 5 of Stranger Things is almost here — and considering it’s been more than three years since we last checked in on Hawkins, no one can be blamed for forgetting exactly how chaotic Season 4 really was. Split into two volumes in 2022, the season delivered some of the series’ darkest and most ambitious storytelling yet, and introduced the villain that changed everything: Vecna.
If you want to go into the final season feeling prepared (and slightly less stressed), here’s the lightning-fast refresher you need.
The Hawkins Crew Faces Vecna’s Curse
Back home, the Hawkins teens are trying to survive both high school AND supernatural peril — per usual. Max is grieving her step-brother Billy, Lucas is busy with the basketball team, and Dustin and Mike have leveled up to the Hellfire Club run by fan-favorite Eddie Munson.
But everything changes when cheerleader Chrissy Cunningham is brutally killed after being tormented by terrifying visions. The gang soon realizes she was targeted by a new monster they name Vecna. Things get even scarier when Max starts experiencing the same symptoms — including that haunting grandfather clock. Her brush with death gives us one of the season’s most iconic moments: escaping Vecna to “Running Up That Hill.”
Eleven’s Crew In California
Out in Cali, Eleven is struggling with bullying, losing her powers and trying to fit into normal life. After lashing out against a bully, she ends up in the custody of Dr. Owens — and surprise — Dr. Brenner is back, too. They force her into confronting her buried memories, ultimately revealing that Henry Creel (a.k.a. Vecna) massacred the Hawkins Lab kids and manipulated her before she banished him to the Upside Down.
Meanwhile, Mike, Will, Jonathan and Argyle go full-road-trip mode to rescue her once the military gets involved.
Joyce and Murray’s Russian Rescue Mission
Yes, Hopper is alive — barely. After surviving the Season 3 explosion, he’s imprisoned in Russia and forced to fight a Demogorgon. Joyce and Murray head to Alaska to save him, end up taking down a corrupt smuggler, infiltrate a Russian prison and escape with Hopper just in time.
The Big Battle — and a Big Loss
To stop Vecna, the teens split into groups across Hawkins and the Upside Down. Eddie and Dustin distract the creatures with an epic Metallica performance, while Steve, Nancy and Robin launch a direct attack. Max volunteers herself as bait, and Eleven joins the fight from miles away using a makeshift sensory tank.
They win — sort of. Vecna survives, Max ends up in a coma, Eddie sacrifices himself, and four massive gates tear Hawkins open. In the final shot, the Upside Down begins bleeding into the real world.
Season 5, you’ve got a lot to fix.