Netflix TUDUM offered an exclusive glimpse of the opening sequence from Stranger Things Season 5, presented live from the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood on November 6, 2025. After a two-hour wait, fans saw the chilling first five minutes of the final season, promising to exceed expectations with its intensity.
The episode begins by showing what transpired with Will Byers immediately after his 1983 abduction by the Demogorgon. The 12-year-old is found lying in the Upside Down forest, softly singing “Should I Stay Or Should I Go” in his sleep. Soon, he awakens, terrified.
“Well, who wouldn’t?”
Will hears the Demogorgon approaching. Armed with a gun, he fires at the creature, but it has no effect. He flees, climbing a tree as the Demogorgon pursues him.
Vecna’s terrifying presence is marked by tentacles that seize Will and force him against a wall, tightening their grip.
This gripping introduction shows Will’s harrowing ordeal in the Upside Down, setting a dark and suspenseful tone for Season 5.
Author's summary: The Season 5 opener reveals Will Byers’ intense struggle in the Upside Down soon after his 1983 kidnapping, highlighting a brutal and haunting encounter with Vecna.