Stranger Things Season 5’s Reverse Reveal Explained

This article contains spoilers for “Stranger Things” season 5, episode 7 – “Chapter Seven: The Bridge”.

It took nearly five seasons, but “Stranger Things” finally revealed the truth about its most mysterious element. Beginning with “Chapter Six: Escape from Camazotz,” Season 5 delves into the truth behind the Upside Down, as well as everyone who’s ever hinted at alternate dimensions that came before this dark iteration of Hawkins. More specifically, as Dustin Henderson (Gaten Matarazzo) realizes during the episode, the Upside Down is actually a wormhole that serves as a sort of connecting bridge between time and space.

Indeed, it seems to be a reward for all These hidden clues hinting at time travel from the first half of season 5. “Chapter Seven: The Bridge” only expands on the subject further by having Dustin give a big speech in which he introduces the idea of ​​the Abyss. The term, as Dustin explains, refers to the distinct dimension that is home to the series’ many strange and dangerous creatures. This is also where Vecna ​​by Jamie Campbell Bower (love it or hate it) was banished by Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) before the series began.

In other words, the Abyss is where the strangest entities in “Stranger Things” hang their hats, while the Upside Down is just an unstable wormhole bridge that connects the two dimensions. The problem ? This same wormhole could also end up tearing everything apart, if the mysterious so-called “exotic matter” that holds everything together fails to hold.

“Stranger Things” likes to name major threats after Dungeons & Dragons concepts, and the Abyss is no exception. This chaotic and evil demonic plane is composed of increasingly difficult-to-reach dimensions that contain many and varied horrors… as well as particularly powerful entities that control said horrors. Sound familiar?

As “Stranger Things season 5 is heading towards its grand finaleit’s also a good excuse to recycle D&D elements. After the dramatic death of his mentor, Eddie Munson (Joseph Quinn), in Season 4 of “Stranger Things,” Dustin’s affinity for D&D is greater than ever and he sees himself as a defender of the legacy of Eddie’s Hellfire Club. For this reason, it’s no surprise that he chooses to name the Abyss (itself the most horrific place in the series’ universe) after one of the most hellish planes of existence the game has to offer. And hey, there’s no denying it’s a cool name, right?

Season 5 of “Stranger Things” is streaming on Netflix. The series finale will be released on December 31, 2025.