Stranger Things creator shares crucial Season 5 viewing advice for fans

Stranger Things Season 5 has officially arrived on Netflix, and co-creator Ross Duffer is urging fans to adjust their TV settings before pressing play.

With Stranger Things 5 Volume 1 now streaming, Duffer shared a public service announcement explaining how viewers can experience the final chapter exactly as the filmmakers intended.

After years of anticipation for the fifth and final season, Netflix briefly crashed when Volume 1 dropped due to an overwhelming rush of fans. Now that the first four episodes are live, viewers are diving into new mysteries, including the introduction of Mr. Watsit, the return of 008, and a soundtrack packed with iconic 1980s hits — even a Tiffany classic.

But before you explore the Upside Down again, Ross Duffer says there’s a crucial step you shouldn’t skip.

In a video message posted to Instagram, Duffer warned fans about several “garbage” TV settings that can distort the show’s cinematic look. He advises disabling dynamic contrast, super resolution, edge enhancer, and color filters, all of which artificially alter the picture. Duffer also recommends turning off noise reduction, along with true motion and smooth motion — settings he calls major “offenders” responsible for the dreaded soap opera effect.

His strongest warning is aimed at “vivid” mode. According to Duffer, this single preset activates the very settings that ruin color accuracy, crush shadows, and eliminate the show’s intended aesthetic. “It’s going to destroy the color,” he says. “It’s not the filmmaker’s intent.”

Stranger Things 5 is now streaming on Netflix, marking the beginning of the end for the beloved Hawkins saga. Fans can prepare for emotional twists, long-awaited character returns, and the countdown to the series finale.