For most of the episodes of Stranger Things Season 4, the episodes ran with more or less 75 minutes. With Stranger Things Season 4 Volume 1’s finale, Episode 7, it was 98 minutes long.
When Stranger Things Season 4 Volume 2 arrived, it even had longer episodes than the first half considering that the finale itself is a two and a half hour long spectacle of an ending with various cliffhangers to set up the finale of the series with Season 5.
However, this may not be the case for the finale of the series, Stranger Things Season 5. Talking to The Hollywood Reporter, the Duffer Brothers were asked about the lengthy and inconsistent run times of Season 4 which many would consider as unconventional.
Matt Duffer explained, “The run times being as long as they were was something of a surprise to us. Ross and I have been trying to analyze how they ended up that long, because the scripts aren’t even that long. We’ve realized that our writing style has changed a little bit, in terms of how we space out description. I think that added to some length.”
The reason for the unconventional runtimes, as Matt Duffer explained, is because of the liberty in streaming, “With streaming, you’re not beholden to advertisers in the way that television used to be. We don’t have to hit this specific 45-minute length, so it can be as short or as long as you want.”
Ross Duffer added, “Our concern is pacing. If we can hold your interest for an hour and 15 minutes, then that’s a win. We did discuss breaking up the finale. We ultimately decided if it’s too long for someone, they can pause it and they can come back. It’s like reading a book. You can watch it at your own pace.”
For Stranger Things Season 5, however, Matt Duffer confirmed it may go back to the usual length of the episode, “I don’t think the run times will be as extreme in season five. We’re trying to return to the simplicity of the structure in season one, with bigger scale and scope.”
Matt Duffer, however, made an exception to the conventional runtime, and it is the finale, “Except for the finale, which I’m expecting will be pretty massive.”
READ MORE: Stranger Things VFX Supervisor Explains Massive Alteration To Demogorgon’s Design In Season 4
Stranger Things Season 5 is currently under development with the writers and creators recently celebrating their first day back to the war room with a celebratory photo.
Stranger Things Season 5 is expected to follow the events of the finale of Season 4 which would deal with Vecna opening the gates of the Upside Down through Hawkins, Max’s fate, and Will is teased to be back at the center of everything.
Stranger Things Season 5 has no release date yet. Both Volumes 1 and 2 of Season 4 are now streaming on Netflix.
