The new documentary, One Last Adventure: The Making of Stranger Things 5, reveals that the highly anticipated final episode of Stranger Things began filming without a completed script. This surprising admission from the creators, the Duffer Brothers, sheds light on some of the inconsistencies noted by fans in the series finale.
The documentary premiered on March 15, 2024, and captures the intense pressure the Duffer Brothers faced while concluding a series that had captivated audiences for nearly a decade. They describe this final script as their most challenging writing project, as production timelines set by Netflix meant that they had to start filming scenes well before the script was finalized. Notably, they began shooting pivotal moments, including scenes featuring Holly Wheeler, portrayed by Nell Fisher, and other characters captured by Vecna.
Creative Challenges and Character Arcs
One of the central themes in the documentary is the uncertainty surrounding the fate of Eleven, played by Millie Bobby Brown. The Duffer Brothers deliberated extensively over whether she should sacrifice herself by remaining in the Abyss as the wormhole closed. Ultimately, they decided her departure from Hawkins was necessary, symbolizing a transition away from childhood. The poignant imagery of the group stowing away their Dungeons & Dragons binders further emphasizes this shift, reminiscent of the closing door in The Chronicles of Narnia.
The creative process behind the climactic battle against Vecna was also fraught with discussion. Matt Duffer found inspiration in the giant Mind Flayer, advocating for a scene where characters would fight within the creature itself. One of the more humorous moments included Finn Wolfhard‘s request for a gun for his character Mike, leading to a scene where he instead receives a flare from his sister Nancy, played by Natalia Dyer.
The writers’ room engaged in a lively debate about the presence of various monsters in the Abyss. Writer Paul Dichter argued for more creatures like demogorgons and demobats, while Kate Trefry expressed concern about “demo-fatigue” after their frequent appearances in earlier episodes. Ultimately, Trefry’s perspective led to the decision to depict a largely empty Abyss in the finale, a choice that the Duffer Brothers acknowledged contributed to their filming challenges, especially while using blue screen technology.
Emotional Farewells and Fun Facts
The documentary is not just a technical breakdown; it captures the emotional moments experienced by the cast and crew as they complete their final scenes. Viewers will see heartfelt reactions as the cast reads the final script and reflects on their time together.
Among the documentary’s intriguing trivia is the original name for Vecna’s realm, which was initially intended to be called the Shadowfell, a term from Dungeons & Dragons lore. The visual effects team experimented with over 100 designs for Vecna, ranging from a cloaked figure to a creature covered in spikes, before settling on his recognizable vine-like appearance.
Fans also learn that the Duffer Brothers’ mother expressed her disappointment about the death of Bob, played by Sean Astin, in season two. During a light-hearted moment at the season five table read, the brothers joked about needing to kill off more characters, but they aimed to maintain the show’s spirit of fun.
With the release of One Last Adventure: The Making of Stranger Things 5 on Netflix, fans can now delve deeper into the creative process and emotional journey behind the final chapter of this beloved series.
