Key Takeaways
- Stranger Things season 5 should incorporate the ‘one last scare’ horror trope to keep audiences engaged.
- The horror technique can provide a shocking moment and leave the door open for future storytelling.
- With the success of the franchise and potential spin-offs, Stranger Things may return in other forms despite the planned ending.
The anticipation for the release of Stranger Things‘ final season is starting to build among fans who are all questioning what the fifth season will have in store for them. Audiences are ready to head back to the Upside Down one last time to learn the fates of their favorite characters and be taken on a journey of horror, science-fiction, and as many 1980s pop culture references as they can handle.
The series has tapped into different genres over the years to provide influence and inspiration, and that’s one of the reasons why Stranger Things has been such a hit. But the final season should tap into one more horror trope – ‘one last scare.’
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What Is The One Last Scare Horror Trope?
The ‘one last scare’ horror trope has been used for decades. It typically occurs in the final scene or very close to the last scene of a movie or television show. It provides one last scare when the audience thinks that the horror is over and the villain appears to be dead or defeated.
They will pop up to try and attack the hero one last time, and this can lead to a definitive death afterward. However, there are also occasions where they will pop up once more and make it clear they’re not dead, which leaves the door open for sequels and for the character to eventually return.
It’s a trick the horror genre uses successfully, mainly because it almost always gets a shocking response from audiences in the moment. But it also allows for future storytelling to use the same character, even if there’s nothing in the works at the time. That’s something that Stranger Things should lean into with the final episode of the upcoming season.
It’s widely expected that the heroes will come out on top when all is said and done, but that doesn’t mean Vecna has to be defeated entirely. Vecna could easily pop up for one last scare or give a flicker or slight movement to showcase he’s still alive. Perhaps the scene can flip to provide audiences a final glimpse of the Upside Down to clarify that more monsters exist or some minor detail to give fans something to cling onto and speculate about. Even though the fifth season is supposed to be the end, leaning into this horror trope would leave the door open for more in the future and ensure that people discuss the show and the possibility of it returning for many years.
Why Should Stranger Things Use This Technique?
From the moment Stranger Things began, the show has leaned into the horror genre to pull certain ideas, tropes, and cliches to enhance the series. There’s a reason why there have been comparisons to IT over the years, and that’s because so many horror techniques are used throughout the Netflix show.
It isn’t just that characters such as Vecna and the Demogorgon are visually scary, but the tone of the series and the way that scares are set up and built are also very much out of the horror playbook. Whether it’s using music to slowly build a scene or having a character pop out of the darkness for a jump scare, there are many ways Stranger Things has blended horror with science fiction to great effect.
Throwing in the ‘one last scare’ trope is something that just suits this series perfectly. The show has a classic villain who will likely be defeated in the final episode, but providing one last scare and potentially keeping Vecna alive is fitting for a character as powerful as him. The show has always done things to get people talking about it for a long time, and this particular technique would be a simple way of achieving that this time around.
Will Stranger Things Ever Return?
Since its launch, Stranger Things has been a monumental success for Netflix and those involved. It has led an entire cast of child stars to vast levels of fame, with Millie Bobby Brown becoming one of the biggest names in Hollywood off the back of her role as Eleven. The series has built up a legion of fans who have lapped up everything the show has to offer, from merchandise to pop-up events, Halloween attractions, and more.
Up until Wednesday’s release, Stranger Things had held the record for the most accumulated hours viewed with its fourth season, and considering the show’s popularity, there’s a good chance that season five could reclaim that prize. Anytime something is as popular as this, it feels inevitable that more will come, regardless of what people have to say about the apparent ending.
Breaking Bad is a perfect example, as the show seemingly concluded perfectly. However, since then, there’s been a spin-off show in Better Call Saul and a Netflix movie in El Camino, proving that when something is a hit, there will always be a chance of more stories being created from that universe. Stranger Things is unlikely to be an exception to that rule, considering how easy it would be to expand this universe to different areas of the world, time periods, or specific characters.
Considering the success and popularity of the franchise and the fact that the actors involved have become household names off the back of it, the chances that Stranger Things will return one day are high. Bringing back old properties is trendy right now, and if that continues, then spin-offs, future shows, or even a movie could all be on the cards. That is exactly why there should be one final scare to keep audiences guessing.
