After a decade defined by Dungeons & Dragons expeditions, grueling Demogorgon encounters, and a whirlwind of fan theories, Stranger Things has finally reached its emotional conclusion. For the core ensemble of actors who grew from unknown children into prominent Hollywood stars, the farewell is deeply poignant. Gaten Matarazzo, who portrayed the beloved Dustin Henderson, took a moment on a recent Friday morning to contemplate the legacy of the series finale.
“Reaching this point feels incredibly profound,” Matarazzo shared during our conversation.
Over our fifteen-minute dialogue, Matarazzo repeatedly used the word “special” to articulate the gravity of filming the final chapters and finally presenting them to the global audience. It is evident that the series remains a cornerstone of his identity, yet he is equally eager to discuss the technical rigors of the role and the occasionally overwhelming nature of a fandom that developed its own narrative momentum.
When questioned if the relentless online speculation regarding character deaths made him anxious for the cast’s safety, Matarazzo noted: “Looking back, the obsession with who might die was largely a byproduct of fan discourse rather than the creative vision of the Duffers or the actors.”
In the interview below, we explore the most climactic sequences of the finale, Matarazzo’s intellectual preparation for Dustin’s scientific monologues, and his surreptitious experience watching the final episode in a public cinema on New Year’s Eve.
This conversation has been edited for clarity and conciseness.
[Warning: The following contains significant spoilers for the series finale of Stranger Things.]
Image: Victoria Stevens
Polygon: Let’s discuss the monumental clash with the Mind Flayer. You were essentially at the epicenter, battling the creature while submerged in filth. What was the physical reality of filming that?
Gaten Matarazzo: Concepts like that are exhilarating on day one, but the novelty vanishes when you realize you’ll be caked in viscous sludge and grit for an entire week. The costumes became incredibly heavy once saturated. I was wearing a ghillie suit, which acted like a sponge for the slime—it just wouldn’t drain.
We shot that in a remote quarry outside Atlanta, a very desolate, rocky terrain. We spent over a week out there just for that sequence. There’s an endless reel of outtakes where we’re stabbing at this goo, and quite a bit of it ended up directly in my mouth. When you’re physically gagging on synthetic slime, it loses its cinematic charm pretty quickly.
Image: Netflix
I recall the sheer volume of footage we captured, only to see the final cut and realize they used about thirty seconds of us covered in that mess! It really emphasizes the staggering amount of effort required to produce a sequence of that scale. It’s a brief moment on screen, but the logistics behind it were massive.
In the high school graduation scene, Dustin gives a valedictorian address that concludes with a defiant gesture toward Principal Higgins. Many viewers saw this as a direct homage to Eddie Munson’s speech in Season 4. Was that a deliberate nod?
Absolutely. That reference was intentional from the start. The script explicitly noted to “flip the bird.”
I find it to be a very effective way to show that Dustin is processing his grief in a healthy, resilient way. Healing isn’t linear, and throughout the season, you see him struggling with Eddie’s loss in ways that aren’t sustainable. Seeing him reach a point where he can honor his friend with a smile and a bit of rebellious laughter is really heartening.
Image: Netflix
The series concludes with the group reunited for a D&D session, punctuated by Mike’s vision of their potential futures. It’s left somewhat ambiguous whether this is a literal flash-forward or merely optimistic projection. How do you view that ending?
I interpret it as a definitive look at their trajectory in the years following the Hawkins crisis. While it’s not explicitly stated where Lucas and Max go, it feels like they took time to heal and reacclimatize Max to the world before moving forward.
As for Eleven’s fate, that is more open to the viewer’s soul. Whether she is gone or still lingering is a subjective choice. If you find beauty in her sacrifice, that’s valid. If you need to believe she survived, the show allows for that hope as well.
Image: Netflix
Dustin is frequently the source of exposition, tasked with explaining dense concepts like Exotic Matter or wormholes. Did you ever find the theoretical science difficult to master?
Every single time. Whenever I saw a massive block of scientific dialogue in the script, I’d experience a moment of panic. To compensate, I’d watch hours of Neil deGrasse Tyson on YouTube to try and fundamentally grasp the physics before I performed it.
The visual aids also helped immensely. Drawing that wormhole on the glass during the Squawk scene actually helped me visualize the theory I was supposed to be explaining. Dustin is definitely operating on a higher intellectual plane than I am!
Many fans were convinced Steve Harrington wouldn’t survive the finale. Given the iconic bond between your characters, were you concerned for Steve?
I wasn’t sure how the Duffer brothers would handle mortality this season. Ultimately, I think they realized the core of the show is about this makeshift family surviving against impossible odds. The Hawkins group needed to remain intact because the series is fundamentally optimistic—it’s about the strength of this community.
Image: Netflix
While some argue it’s unrealistic for them all to have survived, I believe that’s the point. It’s a testament to their collective resilience. When you see how it all concludes, you can appreciate that their survival was always the intended destination.
There was a staggering amount of fan theories leading up to the release. Did you engage with any of them?
I find them fascinating. Occasionally, someone will propose an idea so brilliant I find myself wishing we had actually filmed it. But more often than not, the theories are wonderfully eccentric. People were convinced Eddie would return as a vampire. In a show with interdimensional Lovecraftian horrors, I suppose anything is possible, but even after the finale aired, fans were still approaching me saying, “I really thought he was coming back.” That always makes me laugh.
Image: Netflix
There was also a lot of investment in the dynamic between Will and Mike. Ultimately, what was special there was witnessing them maintain a profound friendship despite the complexities of Will’s self-discovery. Seeing Mike handle that with such empathy—especially given the 1980s setting—was a beautiful moment for those characters. It also reinforces how vital Mike’s support was for Eleven’s development into a person. As a fan of the story, you can’t help but root for that.
Were you able to catch one of the theatrical screenings of the finale?
I did, and it was a memorable experience. I was visiting my mother in Jacksonville for the holidays with my siblings. We found a local theater showing it, and I went in a bit of a disguise just to navigate the lobby without causing a scene. I don’t usually wear disguises, but for the series finale, I wanted to just be part of the audience and enjoy the moment.
Stranger Things is currently available for streaming on Netflix.
Source: Polygon
