Stranger Things fans have been treated with fresh insights about the final season. However some of the new information seems to have confused the fans.

The filming for the final season is set to wrap up in December 2024, meaning just one month remains before production concludes. Despite the limited time left, details on season 5 have been sparse—until now.

On Stranger Things Day, Netflix released all the episode titles and other crucial details about season 5. It has been now confirmed that Stranger Things 5 will take place in the fall of 1987. While fans are thrilled to have these new insights, there is still some confusion about the time.

Stranger Things 5 Will Take Place in Fall 1987

Stranger Things season 4 took place in March 1986, picking up 5 months after the event of season 3. Now the last season is confirmed to be set a year and a half later in fall 1987. This significant time jump raises questions about how the show will address the aftermath of season 4’s shocking ending.

The final shot of season 4 showed the Upside Down bleeding into Hawkins with visible rifts tearing through the town. Ash like particles were falling from the sky, covering Hawkins in gray and unsettling haze. The sky also became ominously dark, having clouds similar to the Upside Down. Overall Hawkins looked drastically different, unlike other seasons where the town seemed to return to normal at the end.

This begs the question that how the residents of Hawkins were still living in the town after a year and half.

Why Residents Did Not Leave Hawkins in Season 5?

One possibility is that the military has intervened. Perhaps they have quarantined Hawkins to stop the Upside Down’s spread into the real world. They would likely seal the city and setup checkpoints all over. The military forces could be attempting to patch the rifts. The life might not have return to normal but still people would have been forced to live in the town.

This theory is further supported by leaked photos from season 5 sets. It showed numerous military vehicles and soldiers in action, hinting at a strong presence of military in Hawkins. Thus it is possible that the army has completely taken over the town and is preventing anyone from leaving.

Of course, other scenarios are possible. Something major might have happened in the year and a half gap that we will only learn about in season 5. However, it would be pretty funny if the Demogorgons had actually settled into life in Hawkins, as one Reddit user humorously suggested:

“Maybe the demogorgons assimilated into human society. Opening scene is a demogorgon mowing his front lawn while his demodog kids play basketball in the driveway… Just living the American dream.”

Could the residents of Hawkins really survive in these conditions? Share your theories in the comments below!