‘Stranger Things’ is almost ready to leave Hawkins after almost ten years of monsters, friendship, and 1980s nostalgia. Since its debut on Netflix in 2016, the show has transcended beyond just a supernatural thriller. It has provided viewers with memorable moments and amazing characters, whether it is the telekinetic abilities of Eleven or the creepy allure of the Upside Down.
Now, with season 5 approaching, the Duffer Brothers are opening up about why they’ve chosen to bring this chapter to an absolute close, even with spinoffs in the works.
Duffer Brothers On Why Some Stories Deserve A True Ending
The Duffer Brothers, in a recent interview with SFX Magazine, clarified why ‘Stranger Things’ Season 5 will be the conclusive end of the Hawkins saga. Although the show is incredibly popular, the duo has chosen not to revisit it after this season. So, season 5 is indeed the conclusion of the beloved characters we’ve come to love.
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“This really is the end of the story of Eleven and Mike and Lucas and Dustin and Steve and all these characters, and Hawkins specifically,” said Ross Duffer. “You don’t want to do something in 20 years where a bunch of characters are like, ‘Oh, we better get Mike back, he knew how to handle this!’ That’s not what we’re interested in.”
His brother Matt Duffer further explained that they joke about crawling back to the Upside Down someday to have a nostalgic moment. “We’ve said everything we want to say about those characters and the Upside Down,” Matt shared. “There’s not really anything else worth exploring. The book is closed. So, the ending wouldn’t be very impactful if we left it cracked open for some sort of sequel.”
In the modern entertainment industry, it is uncommon to see creators voluntarily terminate a franchise that is doing well around the world. However, the decision makes sense. Fans and creators both would prefer the show to leave on its own terms, with purpose, emotion, and finality, instead of dragging on until the magic dies. Ending it gracefully, rather than artificially prolonging it, ensures that both the story and its characters remain timeless.
‘Stranger Things’ Cast Promise A Satisfying Goodbye
For the cast, it has not been easy to say goodbye to Hawkins. But they are sure that the fans will be proud of the place where the story will be. In another interview with SR, the executive producer, Shawn Levy, stars Millie Bobby Brown and Noah Schnapp, looked back on the emotional final season of the show. Brown, who has spent almost half her life playing Eleven, said the ending made her feel emotional and satisfied.
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“I had a lot of questions,” she said. “And I left the final read-through now having answers to everything. I’m really excited for audiences to see that.” Schnapp, whose character Will Byers was the emotional heart of ‘Stranger Things’ since season 1, shared the same sentiment. He reassured fans that the long-standing mysteries surrounding the relationship between Will and the Upside Down will finally be resolved. “I was curious why Will was taken in the first place, and what his connection really was… but we’ll see the answers,” he teased.
Whereas, Shawn Levy has stressed that the Duffers have created a finale that prioritizes storytelling and emotional closure. “There are so many unanswered questions,” Levy said. “But thankfully, we have creator-showrunners who really care about satisfying the audience and not leaving core questions unanswered. Because shows that have done that, as we know, can leave us dissatisfied in a way we never forget.”
