Quick Read
- Season 4 aired in two volumes in 2022, setting up the events for Season 5.
- The main villain, Vecna, terrorized Hawkins and targeted traumatized teens.
- Max narrowly escaped death but ended up in a coma; Eddie sacrificed himself to save Dustin.
- Hopper was rescued from a Soviet prison by Joyce and Murray.
- The season ended with the Upside Down merging into Hawkins after a massive earthquake.
Stranger Things Season 4: The Calm Before the Storm
As Stranger Things gears up for its highly anticipated fifth and final season, fans are revisiting the turbulent events of Season 4—the chapter that upended Hawkins and redefined the stakes for everyone involved. Released in two volumes in 2022, Season 4 delivered some of the series’ darkest and most ambitious storytelling yet, setting the stage for the epic conclusion that follows.
How Season 4 Shook Hawkins to Its Core
Season 4 picks up in the spring of 1986, with the gang more fractured than ever. Mike and Dustin have joined the Hellfire Club, Hawkins High’s Dungeons & Dragons group led by the charismatic but troubled Eddie Munson. Lucas, eager for a fresh start, finds himself on the basketball team, drifting away from his friends and from Max, whose own struggles with grief and guilt have left her isolated.
But Hawkins’ fragile peace is shattered when Chrissy, a local cheerleader, dies under mysterious—and deeply disturbing—circumstances. Panic spreads as Eddie becomes the town’s prime suspect, but the true culprit lurks far deeper: a malevolent entity from the Upside Down, soon dubbed Vecna by the kids. Vecna targets those grappling with personal trauma, preying on their fears to open new portals into Hawkins, and quickly proves to be the most formidable villain yet.
Nancy Wheeler, always the relentless investigator, traces the new horrors to Victor Creel, a former resident accused of murdering his family in the 1950s. The real story, however, is even more chilling: Victor’s son Henry, possessed of psychic powers, committed the crimes before being taken in by Dr. Brenner for secret experiments. Over time, Henry transforms into Vecna, and his connection to Eleven and the origins of the Upside Down begins to emerge.
The Fight Against Vecna: Sacrifice and Survival
As Vecna’s grip tightens, the core group bands together in a desperate bid to stop him. Their plan involves using Max as bait, hoping to lure Vecna into the open. The sequence is among the season’s most memorable: Max, trapped in Vecna’s nightmare realm, escapes by listening to Kate Bush’s “Running Up That Hill”—a moment that became a cultural phenomenon in its own right.
Meanwhile, Eddie stages an unforgettable distraction in the Upside Down, shredding Metallica on his guitar to draw away Vecna’s monstrous bat-like creatures. The kids, joined by Nancy, Steve, and Robin, fight valiantly, but the plan falters. Max falls into a coma after being nearly killed, and Eddie dies heroically while saving Dustin—an emotional blow that resonates with fans and characters alike.
From Russia With Danger: Hopper’s Return
One of Season 4’s parallel storylines follows Jim Hopper, presumed dead but actually imprisoned in a Soviet camp alongside a Demogorgon. Joyce Byers and Murray Bauman, displaying both resourcefulness and loyalty, travel to Alaska and then Russia to orchestrate Hopper’s daring escape. Their journey is fraught with danger and unexpected alliances, adding an international flavor to the season’s expanding scope.
Back in California, Joyce’s children—Will, Jonathan, and Eleven—find themselves embroiled in their own troubles. Eleven, stripped of her powers, is taken to a secret lab in Nevada by Dr. Owens and Dr. Brenner, who hope to restore her abilities. During intense training and memory recovery, Eleven learns the truth about Henry Creel’s transformation into Vecna and her own role in banishing him to the Upside Down.
Earthquakes, Portals, and the End of Innocence
The climax of Season 4 is nothing short of cataclysmic. Despite the group’s best efforts, Vecna succeeds in opening the final portal, causing a massive earthquake that rips through Hawkins. The Upside Down begins to merge with reality, and the town is left devastated. With Max in a coma and Hawkins scarred by supernatural forces, the stage is set for the ultimate showdown in Season 5.
Why Season 4 Matters Now
Season 4 did more than raise the stakes—it deepened the emotional complexity of the series. Themes of trauma, grief, and resilience are woven through each character arc. The introduction of Vecna brought a new level of psychological horror, challenging the heroes not just physically but mentally. The loss of Eddie, Max’s uncertain fate, and Hopper’s return all left indelible marks on the group, forcing them to confront what they’re truly fighting for.
As noted by DraftKings, L’Officiel Singapore, and ScreenRant, the events of Season 4 were instrumental in setting up the expanded scope, higher stakes, and emotional payoffs expected in the final season. Fans who revisit these episodes will find not just suspense and action, but a deeper understanding of the bonds—and fractures—that define Hawkins.
Season 4 of Stranger Things was a masterclass in escalation, both narratively and emotionally. By pushing its characters to their limits and fundamentally altering the world they inhabit, the series ensured that its final act would carry real weight. As we look ahead to Season 5, the echoes of Season 4 remind us: the battle for Hawkins is about more than monsters—it’s about the courage to face our darkest fears, together.