Spoiler Warning: This article contains potential spoilers and fan theories about Stranger Things Season 5. Proceed with caution if you want to remain spoiler-free.
Netflix has finally dropped a major teaser for the fifth and final season of Stranger Things, unveiling all of the episode titles—well, almost all. The Duffer Brothers are keeping one detail under wraps, leaving fans with a half-redacted title that’s sparked plenty of speculation. And, as always, the Stranger Things fandom has thrown itself into solving the mystery.
The new teaser video, which kicks off with the iconic Stranger Things theme tune, reveals the episode titles in a dramatic sequence. Here they are:
- Stranger Things Season 5 Episode 1: ‘The Crawl’
- Stranger Things Season 5 Episode 2: ‘The Vanishing of [BLURRED]’
- Stranger Things Season 5 Episode 3: ‘The Turnbow Trap’
- Stranger Things Season 5 Episode 4: ‘Sorcerer’
- Stranger Things Season 5 Episode 5: ‘Shock Jock’
- Stranger Things Season 5 Episode 6: ‘Escape From Camazotz’
- Stranger Things Season 5 Episode 7: ‘The Bridge’
- Stranger Things Season 5 Episode 8: ‘The Rightside Up’
So, what’s the leading theory? It’s all about Holly Wheeler, the youngest member of the Wheeler clan. The little sister of Mike and Nancy has long been a background player, but there are growing signs she could be taking on a much more significant role in the story. Over on Reddit, fans immediately jumped on the clue, with several pointing to Holly Wheeler as the redacted name in the episode titled “The Vanishing of [BLURRED].” See the discussion here. According to Reddit user Kauan1983, this theory has actually been floating around since mid-2024, back when a leak hinted at Holly having a bigger role. You can read more about this theory in detail here.
What really piqued the community’s curiosity is the potential recasting of the character. Apparently, Evil Dead: Rise star Nell Fisher was spotted on set in a costume suspiciously similar to Holly’s. If true, this would mean not only a recast but perhaps a substantial story arc for the often-overlooked Wheeler sibling.
One fan post sums it up best: “The vanishing of a Wheeler family member being important enough to land in an episode title, plus the amount of filming happening at the Wheeler house? It’s looking like Holly’s going to be way more than a cute side character this season.” The pieces seem to fit—at least well enough for fan theories to take on a life of their own.
It’s all pretty exciting stuff for fans who’ve been hungry for any hint of what’s to come. Still, caution is in order. The Stranger Things creators have always excelled at leading viewers down one path only to surprise them with something completely different. So, while Holly Wheeler being key to the final season would be a neat twist, we should remember that nothing in Hawkins is ever straightforward—and the Duffer Brothers wouldn’t have it any other way.
