With the Stranger Things finale coming this year, Finn Wolfhard (Mike Wheeler) is ready to reflect on the final season. After the actors were on set throughout 2024, filming officially wrapped in December, leaving ample time for post-production before a scheduled 2025 release date. After a three-year wait for Stranger Things season 5, the final episodes will likely be followed by an animated spin-off and a live-action spin-off. It is not yet known if any major actors will return for these follow-ups, as the fate of their characters remains in doubt.
As uncertainty about Stranger Things‘ final season continues, Wolfhard spoke to People about his take on the final episodes. While expressing that he is “very happy” with Mike’s “perfect” ending, he admitted that he still feels mixed emotions about the show’s ending. He also later expressed that he “couldn’t believe” that the show was ending, as he suffered an “emotional hangover” the day after filming wrapped. Check out his quote below:
I was so happy with his ending, and I don’t know, I was satisfied, but I was also very confused and sad, but also very happy. [Finishing Stranger Things] was definitely a lot. I felt like I was in a dream or something. None of it felt real. I don’t know, it felt perfect.
I just couldn’t believe it at all. It didn’t really start to go into focus until the next day. It was like an emotional hangover. But it ended really well, and I just have such positive things to say about everyone.
What Wolfhard’s Response Means For The Stranger Things Finale
Endings Can Always Be Divisive
Wolfhard did not elaborate on exactly what made him have such a mixed reaction to Mike’s ending, likely due to spoiler concerns. It is possible that it could be due to Wolfhard’s history with the show, as he was just 13 years old when he officially began filming. The actor is now 22 years old and has spent his entire adolescence tied to Stranger Things, so its upcoming ending will be an emotional moment for him and for the rest of the cast.
2:56
Related
Stranger Things Season 5: Who Is Most Likely to Survive the Ending?
Stranger Things season 5 will no doubt kill off some main characters, but others are destined to survive.
Still, even if the actors themselves have mixed responses, the final episode could be divisive. Audiences will be forced to wrestle with the same emotions that Wolfhard is facing, which can be an added pressure for the young actor. Later in the interview, the actor expressed that he wishes he had attended therapy after season 1 premiered, due to the pressures caused by its success. If the explosion of attention in season 1 caused stress at the time, then the season finale will likely only increase those expectations and emotional responses.
Our Take On Wolfhard’s Response To Stranger Things’ Finale
Season 5 Should Be Taken With Caution
It should come as no surprise that Wolfhard had a mixed response to the finale, but it remains to be seen if it will satisfy audiences. Critics have been losing interest in the series, as each season has seen a slight decline in the overall Rotten Tomatoes score. ScreenRant‘s Molly Freeman even called Stranger Things season 4 “proof that the Duffer Brothers have let their worst instincts rule“. If the show does not improve its public perception, then it is unlikely to satisfy most viewers with its conclusion.
Wolfhard also starred in It (2017), Ghostbusters: Afterlife (2021), and The Addams Family (2019).
Fortunately, Wolfhard’s response indicates that it should serve as a much-needed improvement. Rather than just describing the ending as “perfect,” he also detailed his conflicting emotional responses and his sense of loss with the show’s ending, indicating that he is genuine. He is also likely revealing his sincerity about Stranger Things‘ ending, which is a great sign of its quality.
Source: People
Stranger Things
8/10
- Release Date
-
2016 – 2025-00-00
- Showrunner
-
Matt Duffer, Ross Duffer
- Directors
-
Matt Duffer, Ross Duffer
- Writers
-
Matt Duffer, Ross Duffer, Paul Dichter, Kate Trefry