Netflix has unveiled the first five minutes of Stranger Things Season 5, taking viewers back to the night Will Byers went missing in 1983 and his eerie link to the Upside Down.
The new season begins not immediately after Season 4 but inside the haunting world of the Upside Down, revisiting the origins of the story. The episode, titled "The Crawl", is set on November 12, 1983—six days after Will’s disappearance, marking the moment Hawkins first sensed something was wrong.
Young Noah Schnapp portrays a frightened and tired 12-year-old Will, sitting alone inside the Upside Down’s version of Castle Byers. He quietly sings Should I Stay or Should I Go, a song introduced by his brother Jonathan in Season 1 that has symbolized Will’s emotional journey throughout the series.
“Should I Stay or Should I Go” — the song that has served as emotional grounding for Will throughout the series.
Suddenly, chilling sounds echo outside his fort. Will grabs a hunting rifle, reminiscent of early episodes, and tries to defend himself. Despite climbing a tree to escape, a creature pulls him down toward Vecna’s lair.
This intimate opening sets the tone for the final season, blending past and present horrors.
Author’s summary: The opening minutes of Stranger Things Season 5 powerfully revisit Will Byers’ terrifying disappearance, deepening the connection to the Upside Down and setting a tense mood for the final chapter.