After what seems like an eternal wait, Stranger Things Season 4 is just a couple of months away, but its arrival comes with the bittersweet understanding that the end is nigh for the hugely successful fantasy horror series, which will end after a fifth and final season. Director and executive producer Shawn Levy spoke to Screen Rant on several subjects, and of course, the upcoming Stranger Things season and the series' impending finale was a big talking point. While fans may be sad to see the show end, Levy was clear that the series has always had a clear arc, and he does not want to see it burn out by trying to go beyond that.

Stranger Things was last seen on screen back in July 2019, and thanks to the Covid pandemic, fans of the nostalgia-filled 80s-based series have had a long three-year wait to return to the town of Hawkins and its residents as they fight against the evil creatures of the Upside Down. Starring Winona Ryder and David Harbour, the series has made stars of young actors such as Millie Bobby Brown and Finn Wolfhard and provided Netflix with one of its biggest original hits, which can only get bigger as it reaches its climax.

During his interview with Screen Rant, Levy said:

"Well, we never wanted to run on fumes and we wanted to only tell as much story as the brothers saw and feel with clarity. So it's been clear for a while that they know exactly where we're headed and this is the arc. We wouldn't want to stick around for one moment beyond that vision and the clarity of that voice. So rather than focusing on that sad day that happens who knows when, the end of season five, I'll just once again reaffirm what I've told everyone, which is it has been a long-ass wait for season four. But I swear to God, the world will realize it's worth it."

Stranger Things Season 4 Brings a Bigger Adventure Than Any Previous Season

The new season of Stranger Things may have been a long time coming, but the wait seems certain to one that fans will not have a problem with when the new episodes premiere in two parts, with the first set dropping in May. When announcing the premiere date, The Duffer Brothers revealed that the new season is longer than any previous one, which is partly why it took so long to make. In their statement, they said:

"Given the unprecedented length, and to get it to you as soon as possible, Season 4 will be released in two volumes. Volume One will release on May 27th; Volume Two will release five weeks later on July 1st. So that's the good news. It's coming soon. And it's bigger than ever. It's also the beginning of the end."

Although the fifth season will bring the flagship series to a close, there will be other stories of the Upside Down to tell, with spin-off shows already being planned. With several tie-in prequel novels having been published and The Duffer Brothers having more ideas up their sleeves, it will be a long time before we see a real end to the Stranger Things franchise.