Finn Wolfhard, the actor who brought Mike Wheeler to life in the Netflix series Stranger Things, recently opened up about the profound emotions surrounding the end of the show's final season. Reflecting on a journey that defined much of his formative years, the 20-year-old actor described the experience as "incredibly emotional."
Speaking about the concluding days of the year-long shoot, Finn likened it to an epic endeavour reminiscent of The Lord of the Rings. “It was incredibly emotional, obviously. It’s the last ten years of my life,” he shared. “For the Duffer Brothers, they started this when they were 30, and now they’re 40. Everyone had a long journey and shared it together. My whole childhood was there. It was sort of the Toy Story 3 moment of leaving your toys behind. It was really special.”
The final season’s production spanned an intense year, providing what Finn described as a fitting conclusion to the show’s legacy. “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. It feels like post-graduation or something,” he said, likening his transition from Stranger Things to new projects to stepping into a new chapter of his life.
Post-Stranger Things, Finn has moved on to projects like The Legend of Ochi, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. Directed by Isaiah Saxon, the film tells the story of Yuri, a shy farm girl who embarks on an extraordinary journey to return a baby ochi to its elusive species. Featuring a mix of puppetry, animatronics, and 3D animation, the film also stars Helena Zengel, Emily Watson, and Willem Dafoe.
Meanwhile, the co-creators of Stranger Things, the Duffer Brothers, reflected on the emotional closure of the series. Ross Duffer expressed gratitude for the decade-long camaraderie among the cast and crew, stating, “Many of our cast members joined us when they were kids, just ten or eleven years old. It wasn’t just a show for them—it was a defining part of their childhood. They’ve grown up before our eyes, becoming more than actors—they’ve become family.”
He also emphasised the role of the crew, many of whom have been integral to the show’s success since its inception. “Their dedication and passion have been the backbone of this journey,” Ross added.
Stranger Things is expected to stream its much-anticipated final season on Netflix this year, marking the end of a beloved era for fans and the team behind it.
