(Spoilers Ahead)
Stranger Things Volume 2 might be my favourite part of the entire show so far. From the pacing to the emotional payoff, it feels confident in what it’s doing and, more importantly, it knows that its strength lies in character rather than spectacle.
The pacing is brilliant nothing feels rushed, but nothing drags either. Every storyline earns its place, and the season knows exactly when to slow down and let emotions hit.
The heart of this volume is without question the relationship between Dustin (Gaten Matarazzo) and Steve (Joe Keery). Their dynamic has always been one of the show’s strongest elements, but Volume 2 pushes it into genuinely emotional territory. Both actors are outstanding, and their scenes together feel raw and honest rather than sentimental.
Gaten’s performance this season is extraordinary. You can tell he’s a theatre actor; there’s a level of emotional control and vulnerability that feels effortless. That same theatrical strength is evident in Sadie Sink and Caleb McLaughlin, who continue to prove they’re operating on a different level.
One scene that really got to me was when Dustin begs Steve not to sacrifice himself, saying that he’s always trying to get himself killed and that he can’t deal with losing him again. It’s desperate, painful, and incredibly human. Moments like that are why Stranger Things works not because of monsters or lore, but because the emotions feel real.
Max and Lucas’s relationship is another highlight. I rate them so much, and the chemistry between Caleb and Sadie is genuinely amazing. When Max returns to her body and says, “I saw you there for me, playing my song… you bored of it yet?” and Lucas just nods, it’s such a quiet but powerful moment. Scenes like this are what make the show special. The couple is shipped heavily, and I get it.
Another aspect that really deserves praise is the relationship between Max and Holly, and more broadly Sadie Sink and Nell Fisher’s performances together. Their scenes are quieter but incredibly effective, and Sadie does an amazing job of showing Max’s softness and protectiveness without ever losing the weight of what she’s been through.
Nell is brilliant too she brings a natural innocence that makes Max’s fear and love feel even more real. There’s something genuinely heartbreaking about seeing Max try to hold herself together for Holly, even when she’s barely coping herself. These moments add so much emotional depth and remind you that the stakes aren’t just about saving the world, but about protecting the people you love most.
While the overall premise does become slightly overcomplicated, it’s clear how well written the season is. The Duffer Brothers’ vision remains genius, and Kate Trefry’s work within the writing team really shines. I’m not usually a fan of Shawn Levy’s superhero-heavy projects, but here the creative direction feels focused and purposeful.
That said, Millie Bobby Brown’s performance felt slightly dipped this season, and Will became a bit annoying in episodes six and seven. Still, these are minor issues in a season that delivers some of the show’s most powerful emotional moments. Volume 2 proves that Stranger Things is at its best when it trusts its characters and this time, that trust pays off.