Editor’s Note: The story has been updated to reflect new information.

Writing this specific article makes me remember my early days in GadgetMatch where I wrote two special articles about Stranger Things 3 — especially because I’m the biggest fan of the team (been a fan since Season 1).

After almost three years of (patiently) waiting, we’ll finally be able to watch Stranger Things 4 on our screens again!

Vol.1 Special Screening in Cinema 11

Seven days before the actual release of Stranger Things 4: Volume 1, Netflix Philippines invited us for a special screening of its first episode — right at Power Planet Mall’s last cinema booth, Cinema 11 (y’know, Eleven 🥁).

Wear anything “retro”, they say

The littlest set details outside the cinema made me cherish the good ol’ days of the First Season of Stranger Things from 2016. From those bright neon lights, a retro-styled photobooth, an ST4-branded popcorn box, and a soda cup. Even the “swag set” full of ST4 goodies that imitated the look of the spooky creel house, This also reminded me of how the series (as well as the fanbase) expanded entirely until it became a hit globally.

A single photobooth access plus a single swag set for that single Stranger Things fan, please

Although I went there all by myself, I still enjoyed every bit of the screening. To best describe everything, here’s my Instagram Reel roundup of it:

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by @vincenzlee

Vol.2 Special Screening at Glorietta 4

While the first special screening was held at Cinema 11, this time it was at Glorietta 4’s Activity Center — and it’s something any Stranger Things fan wouldn’t want to miss.

Other than the Upside Down “4” logo of the mall itself, what’s special is what you’ll find inside.

Going straight to Glorietta 4’s Activity Center shows you a perfect glimpse of Vecna’s Mind Lair. From the walls to the floors, you can tell that it was a spot-on portrayal of the lair. Kudos to the creative team behind this nerve-wracking installment.

And the star of the show is none other than Vecna himself. While it may be creepy for most (especially to non-fans), for me it was an astonishing feat of art installation right at the heart of Glorietta 4.

Vecna-ception? Well, you’re not wrong. The real Vecna showed up in front of us and did the same iconic scene with Max from one of Stranger Things’ most memorable episodes — Vol.1 Chapter 4: Dear Billy.

Fans and influencers alike flaunted their full-blown Stranger Things-inspired outfits which clearly show that the Netflix series has a huge following in the Philippines.

While I didn’t take any selfies with Vecna, the photo of my foot stepping on one of Vecna’s “mind veins” is enough for me to say “I was at Vecna’s Mind Lair and I survived even if I have a lot of sufferings” 🤣

You can watch a virtual tour of Vecna’s Mind Lair by watching my Instagram Reel:

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by @vincenzlee

The Vecna mind projection will be available for the public to see at Glorietta 4 until 2nd of July — just a day after the premiere of Stranger Things 4 Vol.2.

4 big things to expect

After watching the first episode of Stranger Things 4: Volume 1 for about an hour and fifteen minutes, there are four things I think we should expect in the series.

1. Out with the old, in with the new?

After the devastating phenomenon that happened in Hawkins last season, several characters have moved into a new town. The Byers, together with El(even) in mind. That also means Will and El have to deal with a new set of people in a seemingly unfamiliar environment.

Other characters have remained in the OG town, though. From the Wheelers, Sinclairs, Dustin, Joe, Robin, and even Max, they have continued with their lives despite being stuck in the same ol’ town. And oh, as the gang turned from kids to teens, do expect some dramatic changes in the way they act — especially after what happened.

P.S: There’s a new school club, too, that’s hilariously fun and cool despite its degrading image to the eyes of many.

2. Familiar and unfamiliar faces

Other than the remaining original cast from Season 1, a new season also means expecting new characters on the block. Apart from new schoolmates, there are also people that might help the initial set of kiddos who have saved Will from the darker underworld a.k.a the Upside Down.

The first few minutes of the episode was also revealed through Stranger Things’ YouTube channel showing how the Hawkins Laboratory had more than 11 Eleven-like superchildren that are being tested and experimented — until everything fell apart because of one superchild that ruined how things work inside the lab.

3. Jim isn’t dead

Jim Hopper’s sudden disappearance after the closing of the Upside Down had a lot of fans shaking their heads. Most (including myself) have speculated that he already died. Well, we can’t afford losing one more main character after the death of Bob from Season 2. Plus, Billy and Alexei just last season.

Fortunately, Jim, in his new haircut, appeared on the official trailer of Stranger Things 4. And just as shown in the first episode of the first volume, his presence can be felt — just from another side of the planet.

4. Another monster to kill

The Demogorgon and Mind Flayer are two of the most wicked supervillains ever existed. Whether that may be in the history of Hawkins or just in the eyes of people.

But the two evil creatures aren’t the end of the gang’s fate. A new town means there’s a new monster, too — namely, Vecna.

As shown at the end of the official trailer, the new horrendous creature is in human form. It can manipulate the mind of the affected individual — even the dimension where s/he’s at. While I won’t be specific about what happened, it sure is a powerful, demonic creature. It can truly make someone disturbingly psychotic and literally broken inside and out.

Biggest season ever with super-sized episodes

After watching the first episode of the first volume, I can say it was a rollercoaster ride of emotions. First it was thrilling, then it became a full-on comedy show. Next thing you know, you’re already mindf*cked with what’s happening. I always say this but still, hands-down to the team behind Stranger Things for making the fourth season more exciting to watch (despite being borderline creepy and horrifying).

Image by GadgetMatch

The First Volume of Stranger Things Season 4 was released by Netflix on May 27, 2022 (Friday) with seven episodes. Most episodes are reported to be as long as a full-length film.

On the other hand, Volume 2 with a whopping total of two episodes will be released after two months: exactly July 1st (also a Friday) — just four days before the independence of the United States of America. That makes the series run nine episodes in total.