Finn Wolfhard on Stranger Things’ final season: ‘I’m happy, but I’m also very confused’.
In the ever-shifting landscape of television, Stranger Things stands as a towering monument—a nostalgic, spine-chilling juggernaut that has held audiences captive since its 2016 debut on Netflix. For nearly a decade, the series has woven a tapestry of 1980s-inspired sci-fi and heartfelt coming-of-age tales, cementing its status as a cultural touchstone. At its heart is Finn Wolfhard, the now-22-year-old actor who first embodied the earnest Mike Wheeler at the tender age of 13.
As the show barrels toward its fifth and final season, Wolfhard is stepping into the spotlight not just as a star, but as a young man wrestling with the bittersweet closure of a defining chapter. In an exclusive interview with People, he laid bare his feelings: “I’m happy, but I’m also very confused.”
Wolfhard’s candid reflection arrives as Stranger Things prepares to bid farewell in 2025, a moment that feels seismic for both its legion of fans and the tight-knit cast and crew who have lived in the Upside Down’s shadow. His words paint a vivid picture of an actor caught between gratitude for a journey completed and the disorientation of what lies beyond.
It’s a duality that resonates deeply—after all, Stranger Things isn’t just a show; it’s a phenomenon that launched careers, revived synth-heavy soundtracks, and redefined streaming-era storytelling. For Wolfhard, it’s also been a second home, a place where he grew from a wide-eyed teen into a multifaceted talent with a resume that spans It, Ghostbusters: Afterlife, and his own directorial ventures.
The emotional weight of this ending isn’t lost on Wolfhard. Speaking to People, he described the final season’s conclusion as a milestone that’s both fulfilling and unsettling. “I’m happy” signals his satisfaction with how the Duffer Brothers—Matt and Ross, the visionary duo behind the series—have chosen to wrap up the sprawling narrative.
Yet “very confused” hints at the uncertainty that accompanies the end of a project that has been a constant since he was barely out of middle school. It’s a sentiment that mirrors the experience of many long-running series stars, from Friends to Game of Thrones, where the final clapboard signals not just a job well done, but a leap into the unknown.
Wolfhard’s journey with Stranger Things is a study in evolution. Cast as Mike Wheeler, the loyal leader of Hawkins’ band of misfits, he stepped into a role that would demand both vulnerability and resilience as the series unfolded. Across four seasons, he’s navigated first loves, supernatural horrors, and the quiet ache of adolescence—all under the watchful eye of a global audience.
The Duffer Brothers, who began crafting this world in their early 30s and now stand in their 40s, have shepherded their young cast through a decade of growth, both onscreen and off. For Wolfhard, that meant maturing alongside Mike, a character whose arc has paralleled his own transition from child actor to rising star.
In his People interview, Wolfhard didn’t delve into plot specifics—fans will have to wait until 2025 for those revelations—but his emotional candor offers a glimpse into the finale’s impact. He’s previously called the filming process “unbelievably emotional,” a descriptor that gained new depth as he recounted the final day on set.
Likening it to “a break-up” or “graduation,” he underscored the shared history that binds the cast and crew. “It’s the last 10 years of my life,” he told CBR, adding that the experience evoked the poignant farewell of Toy Story 3—a moment of leaving childhood behind. That resonance will likely strike a chord with viewers who’ve watched these characters evolve from bike-riding kids to battle-hardened young adults.
The final season, teased as a cinematic spectacle with “film-length” episodes, promises to deliver the epic conclusion fans crave. Wolfhard has hinted at its intensity, telling Collider that the cast is “unbelievably happy with the finished product.” Yet, for him, the joy of completion is tempered by the reality of moving on. “You think about how to be as present as possible, but then at the same time, you’re conflicted that this is the last one,” he shared with Indiewire. It’s a balancing act he’s still mastering—savoring the moment while bracing for its end.
Beyond Stranger Things, Wolfhard’s career is a testament to his versatility. He’s terrified audiences as Richie Tozier in It and its sequel, brought teenage charm to Ghostbusters: Afterlife and Frozen Empire, and flexed his creative muscles as a musician with Calpurnia and The Aubreys.
His directorial debut, the horror-comedy Hell of a Summer, premiered in 2023, signaling a bold step behind the camera. Yet, even with these accomplishments, Stranger Things remains the bedrock of his ascent—a launchpad that’s both a blessing and a benchmark. “It almost feels like some graduation,” he mused, a nod to the closure it brings and the freedom it unlocks.
For fans, the end of Stranger Things marks the close of an era that reshaped pop culture, inspiring everything from Eggo waffle memes to a renewed love for Kate Bush’s “Running Up That Hill.” The series’ influence on sci-fi and horror is indelible, paving the way for successors while leaving a legacy that’s uniquely its own.
As the Duffer Brothers prepare to lower the curtain, Wolfhard’s reflections offer a personal lens on a collective milestone. “I think childhood, and life in general, is about trial and error,” he told People, a mature takeaway from a decade of highs, lows, and everything in between.
As 2025 looms, Wolfhard stands at a crossroads—grateful for the past, curious about the future, and still processing the present. His happiness and confusion are two sides of the same coin, a testament to the depth of his Stranger Things experience. For an actor who’s spent his formative years in Hawkins, the end is less a goodbye than a pivot—a chance to carry forward the lessons of Mike Wheeler into whatever comes next. And if his track record is any indication, that next chapter will be worth watching.
source PEOPLE
