As ‘Stranger Things’ prepares for its epic conclusion with season 5, fans are bracing for the emotional impact of the show’s conclusion. Over the years, the Duffer Brothers have gifted us with a cast of unforgettable characters.
However, few relationships have warmed the hearts of viewers quite like the unlikely bond between Steve Harrington and Dustin Henderson. Ahead of the final season’s long-awaited release, actor Joe Keery opens up about his journey with co-star Gaten Matarazzo and the evolution of their on-screen chemistry.
Joe Keery Hopes To Work With Gaten Matarazzo After ‘Stranger Things’
Back in season, Steve was a high school heartthrob-turned-jerk, while Dustin was a precocious middle schooler geeking out over Dungeons & Dragons. However, by the time season 2 rolled around, Steve’s surprising evolution into a makeshift babysitter and protector turned him into the unlikely big brother figure for the younger group, especially Dustin. The world fell in love with “Dad Steve.”
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In a recent interview with ScreenRant, Keery reflected on this enduring partnership. “Yeah, it’s hard sometimes for me to even remember, just because the dynamic has changed,” he said. “He was a young actor, I don’t know, 11 or 12 or something, when we started. And, yeah, we’ve all kind of gone on this ride together.” It’s clear that for Keery, the show has become more than just a job.
Watching Matarazzo grow from a child actor into a multifaceted performer has been a privilege for Keery. “He’s such a talented guy, but he also seems very mature and focused on really doing what makes him happy. That makes me feel really happy,” Keery shared. He even hinted at the possibility of reuniting professionally in the future. “Working with him has just been such a joy. I hope maybe, at some point in our distant future, we can do something else, one more time.”
What We Know About ‘Stranger Things’ Season 5
While Keery remained tight-lipped about specific plot details, the recently dropped teaser trailer confirmed what fans were hoping: Steve and Dustin will reunite on-screen for the final battle against Vecna. One particularly emotional shot shows Steve embracing Dustin, a gesture that may hint at deep grief, potentially related to the memory of Eddie Munson, who sacrificed himself in season 4.
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This vulnerability, mixed with their comedic banter and resilience, is what makes their relationship so beloved. Together, they represent the heart of ‘Stranger Things’. In true Duffer Brothers fashion, the final season is poised to go bigger than ever. During Netflix’s annual Tudum event, it was revealed that season 5 will be released in three parts, rolling out between late November and New Year’s Eve 2025.
Alongside this announcement came a new synopsis. “The fall of 1987. Hawkins is scarred by the opening of the Rifts… The government has placed the town under military quarantine and intensified its hunt for Eleven… The final battle is looming, and with it, a darkness more powerful and more deadly than anything they’ve faced before.”
The stakes have never been higher, and every hero, including Steve and Dustin, will need to be at their best. As the countdown begins to the final season, fans are preparing for a rollercoaster of nostalgia, heartbreak, and (hopefully) redemption. All in all, watching Steve and Dustin’s bond evolve has been a joy. It’s already hard to imagine saying goodbye to Hawkins.
