Gaten Matarazzo’s Dustin Challenges Everything We Thought We Knew About the Upside Down in the New ‘Stranger Things’ Season 5 Volume 2 Trailer
A new trailer for Season 5 of Stranger Things has been released, teasing the three episodes set to debut on Christmas Day as part of the final installment’s Volume 2.
The trailer features a voice-over from Noah Schnapp’s character, Will Byers, declaring, “We failed,” as it revisits a critical moment following the revelation of his sorcerer powers during the cliffhanger ending of Volume 1.
Will’s mother, Joyce, portrayed by Winona Ryder, asserts that the battle is “not over, not by a long shot.”
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In a scene featuring Steve (Joe Keery) and Dustin (Gaten Matarazzo), the duo navigates a vine-covered Hawkins Lab in the Upside Down. Dustin comments, “this whole time, everything we have ever assumed about the Upside Down has been dead wrong.”
“Mother of God,” Steve exclaims as they gaze up at a menacing swirling mass of red and black, drawing a parallel to elements found in A Wrinkle In Time.
The trailer is accompanied by Diana Ross’ “Upside Down” as Eleven tunes into the void with her headphones and signature dark blue bandana. She reaches out to her long-lost sister Kali (Linnea Berthelsen) to aid in locating and confronting Vecna, also known as Henry Creel (Jamie Campbell Bower).
Max (Sadie Sink) is seen alongside Holly (Nell Fisher), appearing together as they look down a tunnel. The two later navigate a staircase while flashes from past events featuring Mr. Whatsit-Henry contrast with scenes of a gaunt Orderly Henry.
Lucas, Mike, Murray, Nancy, Jonathan, Dustin, Steve, Robin, and Erica make a dramatic entrance through a giant gate in the MAC-Z. A tense moment unfolds as Nancy takes aim from the truck’s makeshift sunroof, targeting soldiers in their path.
“It is time,” Vecna declares. “For new worlds.”
As the trailer concludes, a previously teased hug between Dustin and Steve hints at their bond, culminating in a poignant reminder from Season 3: “You die, I die”—a sentiment that leaves fans concerned for the duo’s fates.
Stranger Things Season 5 Volume 2, comprising Episodes 505-507, will premiere on Christmas Day 2025 at 5 p.m. PT. The series finale will arrive in theaters and on Netflix at 5 p.m. PT on New Year’s Eve.
