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The brand new Stranger Issues documentary has lastly dropped — and it’s giving followers extra perception in regards to the present’s lackluster ending.
Titled One Final Journey: The Making of Stranger Issues, the documentary was launched on Monday, January 12, almost two weeks after the Season 5 finale dropped on Netflix. Within the behind-the-scenes look of the present’s final season, it’s fairly obvious creators Matt and Ross Duffer had been beneath immense strain to complete out the collection robust. Matt even admits the thought is “terrifying” as a result of audiences can activate a present if the finale is disappointing, and other people might “discard the remainder of the present” relying on the way it ends.
It seems to be like what Matt feared might have come beneath fruition, because the season 5 finale has drawn immense scrutiny for its complicated ending, plot holes and inconsistent writing. Within the doc, it’s fairly clear that there are a number of crimson flags as filming takes place, with a number of manufacturing assistants, writers and even actors confused with the writing. So, let’s break down a few of the most jarring elements of the doc, we could?
1. The Closing Episode Started Filming Earlier than It Was Written
One of many largest reveals is that manufacturing began with no completed script for the finale. Matt overtly admits they went into filming episode eight with out having written it, saying the prospect was “scary” as a result of it was crucial episode of the complete present.
In a single notably alarming second, a manufacturing assistant explains they’re capturing episode eight regardless that “we don’t even absolutely know what’s occurring.” Ross then admits he has by no means learn the total finale script whereas they’re actively filming it, saying he has “by no means accomplished something like this earlier than.”
All through the documentary, Ross additionally admitted that the brothers had been being “hounded” by Netflix and manufacturing to ship the finale script.
2. The Presence of Demogorgons
Following the finale’s launch, many followers puzzled what occurred to the Demogorgons within the finale, particularly in the course of the last scene within the Abyss — the place the creatures have been confirmed to return from.
The documentary reveals that there have been authentic plans for the Abyss to be full of Demogorgons, Demodogs and bats. Within the dialogue, one author argued it will be “loopy if there’s nothing there,” with Matt even agreeing, however the thought was later dropped attributable to fears of “demo-fatigue.”
3. Actors Expressed Their Considerations
The doc exhibits a number of moments the place even the actors within the present level out some continuity points — particularly with their very own characters. The kicker? Lots of these points are nonetheless obvious within the last draft of the present.
One second contains Maya Hawke, who performs Robin, reminding the Duffers that Lucas (performed by Caleb McLaughlin) doesn’t know of her character’s relationship with Vickie (Amybeth McNulty). She asks the brothers if the couple ought to be holding arms within the scene, as that truth appears to be ignored.
In one other scene, Natalia Dyer, who performs Nancy Wheeler, asks the brothers why Vecna particularly took Holly Wheeler (Nell Fisher) — and the query doesn’t precisely get answered.
ONE LAST ADVENTURE: THE MAKING OF STRANGER THINGS 5. (L to R) Charlie Heaton as Jonathan Byers, Joe Keery as Steve Harrington, Natalia Dyer as Nancy Wheeler and Maya Hawke as Robin Buckley in One Final Journey: The Making of Stranger Issues 5. Cr. Courtesy of Netflix © 2026
4. No Scientific Specialists
In one other scene, Natalia asks in regards to the science behind a selected second within the season, asking the Duffer brothers if they’d consulted with scientists and specialists to ensure the whole lot was factually right.
“Is that this based mostly on actual scientific principle?” she asks the brothers, who snigger off the query and reply with: “It’s all very practical.” Natalia doubles down, asking: “Are you consulting any person?” Their response, precisely? A unified “Uhhh.” So, that looks like a no.
5. The Duffer Brothers Admit They Don’t Take pleasure in Writing
In a single stunning second, one of many Duffer brothers admit they don’t like writing anymore — and joked that they need to have been actors as a substitute
Matt and Ross additionally reveal that they wished to direct the final season greater than write it — however due to timing and the frenzy of manufacturing they had been compelled to rent visitor administrators.
6. Eleven’s Ambiguous Ending Was a Final Minute Choice
As followers know, Eleven’s ending within the present was left open to interpretation — nevertheless, it wasn’t at all times that method within the writers’ room.
A separate a part of the documentary had whiteboards proven with a plan for the finale episode, displaying that initially her plan recounted by Mike on the finish was much less ambiguous — and Hopper was even in on it! It additionally acknowledged that there can be a scene the place “Hopper tends to Kali” the place they share the plan for El to flee.
It’s clear that the Duffers debated whether or not Eleven’s alternative ought to be clear or not — Ross needs ambiguity, however Matt thinks it’s clear. And neither appears absolutely satisfied — which might be why the ending feels so muddled and flat.
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