Finn Wolfhard, who plays Mike Wheeler in Stranger Things, recently opened up about filming the last scenes of the show’s final season. The actor described the experience as emotional and surreal, marking the end of a decade-long journey with the hit Netflix series.
Finn Wolfhard’s Mixed Feelings About Stranger Things Ending
Wolfhard, now 22, joined the show at age 12 and grew up on set alongside his co-stars. He admitted feeling a mix of happiness, sadness, and confusion after filming his final scenes.
“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,” Wolfhard told People.
He compared the experience to a dream, saying it didn’t feel real until the next day. The entire cast stayed together for the final shoot, making the moment even more special.
A Year-Long Shoot Like Lord of the Rings
Filming for Stranger Things Season 5 took nearly a year, with Wolfhard calling it a “Lord of the Rings-style” production due to its long and intense schedule. The final season is expected to be the biggest yet, with episodes running as long as movies.
“We had a long last year. We shot sort of Lord of the Rings style with a year-long shoot. It was a great way to go out and very intense. I feel like it couldn’t have ended better,” he said in an interview with Variety.
The Duffer Brothers, creators of the show, also confirmed that the final season is their most ambitious, with over 650 hours of footage shot.
The Cast’s Emotional Goodbye
Wolfhard recalled the last day on set as an “emotional hangover.” The cast, including Millie Bobby Brown, Caleb McLaughlin, Gaten Matarazzo, and Sadie Sink, shared a strong bond after working together for so long.
“The cast all stayed for the last day; we were all there together. It was really great to be around each other,” he said.
He also mentioned that the first table read for the finale was overwhelming, as the actors had never seen the script before.
What to Expect From Stranger Things Season 5
The final season will wrap up the battle against Vecna and the Upside Down. The show’s creators have teased that the ending will be satisfying but intense.
- Release Date: The season will be split into three parts, with the first four episodes arriving on November 26, 2025, followed by three more on December 25, and the finale on December 31.
- Episode Lengths: Some episodes will be as long as movies, while others will stick to a shorter runtime of 40-45 minutes.
- New Cast Members: Linda Hamilton (Terminator) joins the show, along with returning favorites like Winona Ryder and David Harbour.
Wolfhard’s Future Projects
With Stranger Things ending, Wolfhard is focusing on his career as both an actor and director. He recently premiered his new film, The Legend of Ochi, at the Sundance Film Festival.
Also read: Stranger Things Season 5 Release Date Confirmed for 2025; Millie Bobby Brown Teases Emotional Finale
“I think I’m deeply curious about filmmaking and really would like to keep directing. That’s something that I just feel very comfortable doing,” he told Deadline.
