logo
Season 5 of 'Stranger Things' promises emotional finale

Season 5 of 'Stranger Things' promises emotional finale

After a three-year wait, the final season of Stranger Things is almost here. Netflix officially confirmed at its 2025 TUDUM event that Season 5 will drop in three thrilling volumes this November and December, culminating in a New Year's Day finale.
The first four episodes will premiere on Wednesday, 27 November 2025, at 3 am South African Standard Time (SAST).
Volume 2, consisting of three episodes, will follow on Boxing Day, Friday, 26 December.
The grand finale, Volume 3, will be available on Thursday, 1 January 2026. This will give South African viewers a dramatic start to the new year, according to Radio Times.
Noah Schnapp, who plays Will Byers, teased, 'People are going to be truly devastated… there's not going to be a dry eye; it's going to be sad. But it is a great season and people will love it'.
The stakes are higher than ever in Stranger Things . Hawkins scarred by the opening of the Rifts and the heroes united to find and kill Vecna, whose whereabouts remain unknown.
The government's military quarantine and intensified hunt for Eleven force her into hiding. This sets the stage for a dark and powerful showdown.
Returning cast members include fan favourites Millie Bobby Brown (Eleven), Finn Wolfhard (Mike), Sadie Sink (Max), and Winona Ryder (Joyce).
They are joined alongside new additions like Linda Hamilton, who expressed excitement about joining the cast. 'I don't know how to be a fangirl and an actress at the same time. I'm gonna work on that'.
The season will consist of eight episodes, described by Maya Hawke (Robin) as 'eight movies' in terms of scale and emotion.
The release strategy, spreading episodes across three dates, mirrors Netflix's approach with other hits like The Witcher and Bridgerton , keeping viewers eagerly anticipating each instalment.
As the countdown begins, the teaser trailer released at TUDUM hints at an epic and heart-wrenching finale.
Ross Duffer, one of the show's creators, said, 'Everyone involved poured their hearts and souls into this, and we couldn't be prouder of what they've accomplished'.
Hawkins is calling one last time, and this final journey through the Upside Down will be unforgettable.
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1.
Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Less raunchy and more fun with Netflix's adaptation of 'Kakegurui'
Less raunchy and more fun with Netflix's adaptation of 'Kakegurui'

TimesLIVE

timean hour ago

  • TimesLIVE

Less raunchy and more fun with Netflix's adaptation of 'Kakegurui'

When it comes to Netflix's new show Bet, it is important to understand that it's subjectively bad. It's just another teen drama that doesn't move the genre forward in any way and doesn't bring anything in terms of its main plot that hasn't been done in local and international counterparts like Young Royals and Blood & Water. However, the series shines as an adaptation of its anime original. Alongside the 'book is better than the movie' arguments that are debated often by fans of both genres, manga (Japanese comics) and anime have had the same relationship among their fans — especially when anime adaptations water down the original content due to censorship or for marketing reasons. This was the fate of one of the original gambling manga, Yu-Gi-Oh, which was adapted for screen with its in-story monster card game rather than the wars waged over deadly parlour and board games. This brings us to Netflix's latest anime adaptation, Bet, which follows Yumeko Jabami, a childish savant who becomes fixated with gambling in her attempt to avenge her dead parents. Eclipsed by the success of One Piece, the series has big shoes to fill in what was deemed as the best anime adaptation by fans of the genre. Except One Piece was not an adaptation but a retelling. Bet shuffled a new deck of cards, and it was good. Since the popularity of shows like 2007's Gossip Girl and Pretty Little Liars (also adaptations), the teen drama genre has held onto an obsession with affluent teens and their dark, mysterious lives. While the latter two thrived thanks to unmasking lifestyles of the young and affluent or creating programmes that are a canvas for young viewers to project their wildest fantasies, their successors like Riverdale, Elite and 13 Reasons Why have not achieved the same critical and commercial success. Bet suffers from the same problem, leaning into stereotypes rather than the creative liberties taken in the anime. And while it certainly won't garner critical acclaim, it does not fail to explore the people and stories of its counterparts in a genre that has long since lost the ability to tell a riveting story. In the anime original, Yumeko has no revenge story but is something of a demonic entity with sexually charged dispositions whenever she faces an opponent. In both adaptations, the story takes place at an expensive school for the children of the 1%, where the student body has full control to gamble and learn life skills that would turn them into the sharks that their parents have become. The anime version of Yumeko is not greatly affected by the clan system that comes to define many of the characters' positions at the school, but on the surface, her wins and losses become cautionary tales about the greed that defines the affluent children she faces. The series escapes this shallow exploration and goes for a deeper exploration of the adults. Extramural activities are not highly regarded and are treated as an anecdotal hobby to gloat about. In its place, how one gambles is rewarded with much fanfare by children and adults alike. Through scholar debts and a cut-throat top 10 system, the school mirrors the real world and pushes Yumeko and others to be ruthless in their pursuit of staying above the debt line with other house pets (students who have gambled too much and owe money to the top 10). Through Yumeko and the other characters, we learn more about their parents, their time at the school, how the system has continued and the pressures on the nepo babies who will do anything to protect their problematic mothers and fathers. A commendable change is seen in their approach to the main antagonist, Kira Timurov. Named Kirari Momobami in the anime, she is cool, calm and rarely distressed by any challenge she encounters. She uses those around her for amusement rather than a grander scheme. The more human Kira is subjected to high amounts of pressure, buckling under the pressure of her ice queen exterior and runs herself into a wall countless times in an attempt to thwart Yumeko, who is the exact opposite, driven by blood lust. The clear contrasts between the two drives the divisive anime, when looking past the fan service (anime term referring to hypersexualised details of how women are drawn, speak or behave) that plagues the production. Yumeko and Kirari's love for gambling creates this fantastical world and its bizarre storylines while Bet escapes this through both characters having to understand what drives many of their friends and foes to either cheat or truly break their backs trying to earn a win. Bringing nothing spectacular to watching experiences, Bet is another superficial exploration of teen drama tropes, but shines in escaping the conventions that have made it cringeworthy.

EISH WENA: Male pastor preaches in high heels, shocks South Africans [Video]
EISH WENA: Male pastor preaches in high heels, shocks South Africans [Video]

The South African

time9 hours ago

  • The South African

EISH WENA: Male pastor preaches in high heels, shocks South Africans [Video]

Viral videos never seem to dry up on the World Wide Web. Isn't it wild how there's always something bizarre or hilarious making the rounds? From people surfing shopping trolleys on highways to cringeworthy challenge fails, the Internet never stops surprising us. The latest viral sensation has grabbed the attention of millions, racking up likes and shares all over social media. Today's Eish Wena segment features a pastor delivering a full sermon wearing 6-inch stilettos, confidently preaching in high heels before his congregation. Watch the video below @ ♬ son original – Elijah courageMInistry Need your news quickly? Visit The South African website for all you need to know. Enjoy a wide variety of videos from news, lifestyle, travel, sports, viral videos and lots more! There is always something to watch here! Why not follow us on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok while you're at it? Get ALL the news you need to know on the go at your convenience! Submit your videos for a chance to be featured in the daily Viral Video article and get your name mentioned. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.

Missing nanny reveals sinister secrets: discover the dark side of wealth in 'Secrets We Keep'
Missing nanny reveals sinister secrets: discover the dark side of wealth in 'Secrets We Keep'

IOL News

time10 hours ago

  • IOL News

Missing nanny reveals sinister secrets: discover the dark side of wealth in 'Secrets We Keep'

Cecilie (Marie Bach Hansen) with her neighbour and best friend Katarina in a scene from 'Secrets We Keep'. Image: Netflix I know that not everyone is a fan of subtitled offerings. However, sometimes it's worth putting aside such peeves when you are guaranteed a phenomenal watch. One such show is the Danish whodunit, 'Secrets We Keep', which is among SA's Top 10 shows streaming on Netflix. The six-part series is set in an affluent suburb in Copenhagen, where Filipino au pairs live their best life, too. It centres on the close-knit friendship between Cecilie (Marie Bach Hansen) and her lawyer husband, Mike (Simon Sears), and their neighbours Katarina (Danica Curcic) and her tycoon husband Rasmus (Lars Ranthe). The dynamic changes when the latter couples nanny, Ruby (Donna Levkovski), goes missing. Cecilie grapples with guilt after dismissing Ruby's plea for help during dinner at her home on the night of the incident. The event also affects Cecilie's au pair, Angel (Excel Busano), and other local babysitters from the Philippines. Viewers streaming the first episode are captivated by the lavish lives of the featured individuals. Cecilie, a working mother, enjoys an ideal balance between her career and family life, a privilege made possible by Angel. These opulent homes, filled with top-of-the-line decor and high-tech gadgets, appear worthy of a feature in a sophisticated home magazine. Despite their seemingly flawless lives, wealthy families often have hidden complexities. And that is certainly unpacked in the unfolding episodes. Although Cecilie shows kindness and support for Angel, encouraging her to finally start her own business, her well-heeled lifestyle sharply contrasts with the personal hardships faced by her nanny. Katarina and Rasmus are more inconvenienced than concerned by Ruby's disappearance, even though all her belongings, including her passport, are in her room. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Rasmus (Lars Ranthe), Cecilie (Marie Bach Hansen), Katarina (Danica Curcic) and Mike (Simon Sears) in a scene from 'Secrets We Keep'. Image: Netflix Meanwhile, Cecilie urges Katarina to report Ruby as a missing person. The case is assigned to a police officer named Aicha (Sara Fanta Traore), who appears to be more emotionally invested in solving it. Cecilie initiates her own investigation into the matter, occurring concurrently with Aicha's inquiry. Amid this, she stumbles across information that looks damning for her husband, who, when he was younger, was charged with rape. During this time, she discovers potentially incriminating information about her husband, it is compounded by her knowledge of a rape charge when he was a young adult. This incident has haunted him his entire life, as there were mitigating circumstances surrounding the charge. But he isn't the only suspect on her list, especially after realising that Ruby was pregnant. Rasmus has a chequered history with their au pairs, who are never around for a very long time. The strain of Ruby's disappearance weighs heavily on everyone, and the cracks in their relationships as well as friendships start surfacing. However, the distracted parents remain oblivious to their teenage sons' activities: secretly filming their au pairs and sharing the pornographic material. While Katarina's son Oscar (Frode Bilde Rønsholt) is the ringleader of this group, Cecilie's son Viggo (Lukas Zuperka) is more of an observer until he is shown troubling footage of Ruby. At school, a teacher stumbles across what the boys have been up to, and it opens a can of worms, especially when Ruby's body is found. "Secrets We Keep" reveals the evolving moral compass of the affluent as they attempt to resolve issues with financial resources. The narrative dissects their transformation from lenient to neglectful parenting styles. Through detailed settings and complex challenges, the script highlights the contrasting realities of nannies and their employers. Overall, this stylishly directed series offers a bird's-eye view into the deficient morals of the rich, who have no qualms turning a blind eye to injustice when it comes to protecting one of their own. Rating: 4/5 **** a standout series with exceptional qualities. Below are similar must-see offerings: "Sirens" In this Netflix dark comedy, Devon is worried about her sister Simone's unsettling connection with her wealthy new employer, Michaela, prompting her to plan an intervention. It has a star-studded cast of Meghann Fahy, Milly Alcock, Kevin Bacon and Julianne Moore. "The Perfect Couple" A Nantucket setting provides the backdrop for a story about a lavish wedding thrown into chaos by a sudden murder. It stars an ensemble cast of Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Eve Hewson, Billy Howle, Meghann Fahy, Donna Lynne Champlin, Jack Reynor, Michael Beach, Ishaan Khatter, Sam Nivola, Mia Isaac and Dakota Fanning.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store