They had been waiting for this for almost three and a half years. This Tuesday, November 18 at the Grand Rex cinema in Paris, some 2,500 fans gathered for a special event, nine days before the release of Netflix season 5 of “Stranger Things”, the phenomenon series that features teenagers fighting monsters from parallel dimensions. For the event, the platform went all out with an evening hosted on stage by host Camille Combal. The pre-show is an hour and a half before the screening of the first of the long-awaited eight-episode final salvo.
In this immersive experience entitled “The Last Adventure”, the figure of TF 1 is accompanied by four other actors. All dressed in the 1980s, the period in which the series takes place, they searched for VHS tapes of the first four seasons to present the best moments to the public. Welcome recap before discovering the new chapter. This series actually started in July 2016. It’s enough to test the memory of fans who didn’t necessarily have time to watch it all again before the launch of season 5.
Before the celebration started, the audience already had stars in their eyes. Like Salomé, a 21-year-old Parisian student, who arrives in disguise, surrounded by a bouquet of flowers that is a direct reference to the fictional aesthetic. “I just watched it for the first time last year, I watched all four seasons at once, so I didn’t have to wait too long! », said the person who won his place through Netflix’s competition on the network.
“Stranger Things, This is my whole life! »
Alice, 16, came from Gien in the Loiret hoping to attend the evening accompanied by her mother Sabrina, 46. They had no seats but arrived at the front of the Grands Boulevards room at around 2pm, four hours before the doors opened, in search of precious tickets. Mobilization from other fans allowed them to get tickets… “I started watching before my daughter, then she got so involved in it that I took part in the game,” said the mother. “That’s my favorite series,” Alice continued. I’ve been able to meet several actors at various events, I have a wall Stranger Things in my room, that’s my whole life! »
“I love the atmosphere of the 1980s that I never knew,” said 23-year-old Yanis. Since we are the same age as the children and the actors of the series, we easily recognized ourselves. The story is truly amazing, especially the monsters which I love! I want to see some actors tonight. They weren’t there, but that doesn’t matter, we will enjoy it together with all the other fans. »
Take advantage, they have a chance. Especially thanks to the warm atmosphere provided by Camille Combal and her assistants, apart from YouTuber Joyca, live on the Twitch platform. Karaoke, re-enactment of the Snow Ball (dance party from the series), distribution of pots of ice cream, acrobatic performances by cheerleaders and boys, posing as characters from “Ghostbusters” as in the series… During videos from previous seasons, the audience votes by shouting at key moments, repeating certain lines in chorus or singing songs.
“I can’t wait to see what happens next”
Her reaction was much more coy during the first part of season 5. The tension was palpable in the ranks, everyone seemed captivated. As you leave, the smile on your face is unmistakable. Yanis is happy: “This first episode immediately gives an idea of the season. I already have an idea of who will be there, it’s a bit scary to say because I love all the characters, he says. The music is amazing, still in the sound of the 1980s. It’s going to be heavy! »
“This season is going to be amazing,” Salomé enthuses, meeting again after the screening. I was surprised though the trailer gave away a lot. We really want to see what happens next. The worst thing now is having to wait until the last episode in a month and a half! » While the first four parts will be shown online on Friday 27 November at 2am, you will have to wait until 26 December for the next three episodes, then 1 January 2026 for the 8th episode, the grand finale.
Coming from Picardy, near Compiègne, to attend the event, Mathieu, 19, is a fan of Will, one of the heroes who disappeared in season 1. He admitted, before the session, to being “very, very afraid of him. » “I hope there will be a happy ending for everyone, but I don’t really believe it,” he added. I can’t wait to see it, but I’m very stressed.” On the exit, he confessed to being “unstable”: “It sends straight garbage! There are things that make me weird. It’s surprising but I really can’t wait to see what happens next. » See you on Friday November 27th.
