Finn Wolfhard Reflects on Emotional ‘Stranger Things’ Finale and His Surprising Spinoff Prediction

Finn Wolfhard, widely known for his role in the hit series Stranger Things, faced the emotional weight of the show’s conclusion on December 20 during the filming of its grand finale in Atlanta. While most of the cast and crew were grappling with the reality of the ending, Wolfhard initially tried to stay present and focused, avoiding the overwhelming emotions tied to the show’s closure. Yet, as he watched hundreds of cast members, including Natalia Dyer, Charlie Heaton, Joe Keery, and Maya Hawke, gather around to witness the final moments, the reality of the end finally sank in.

Wolfhard recalls,

“Everyone was thinking about the end and was down, and I would just be like, ‘Yeah, but we’re all here hanging out. It’s fine,”

—Finn Wolfhard. He adds,

“And I would push it away.”

He describes the surreal atmosphere:

“I turned around from the monitors, and it was hundreds of people just hanging out for the first time in the same room after 10 years of working. And they were just watching,”

and acknowledges,

“So if that wasn’t enough of a mindfuck there, it was also like, ‘Wait, that means it’s ending.’”

Behind the Final Call: Creators and Cast Unite

When Matt and Ross Duffer, the creators behind the 1980s-inspired supernatural drama, called “action” for the last time, the significance of the moment was felt deeply by the cast. Stranger Things had become a global sensation, topping charts in 88 countries, but its production remained under strict secrecy. Wolfhard shared glimpses of his involvement in the finale alongside fellow young cast members such as Millie Bobby Brown, Gaten Matarazzo, Caleb McLaughlin, Noah Schnapp, and Sadie Sink.

He describes a standout instance on set:

“There was a moment where there was true joy from everyone because of a moment that happened,”

before pausing to avoid revealing too much. Wolfhard continues,

“When I walked out from doing the scene, it was just one of the greatest moments in my entire life. I didn’t process at the time because it was just so emotional. There was a lot of Champagne.”

Mike Wheeler’s Journey and Wolfhard’s Growth

At 22 years old, Wolfhard reflects on his decade-long portrayal of Mike Wheeler, a courageous yet determined character navigating the supernatural threats lurking beneath Hawkins, Indiana. Unlike Eleven, Mike lacks supernatural abilities but compensates with intelligence and leadership skills, traits that have developed as the series progressed.

Matt Duffer notes the connection between actor and character, emphasizing how Finn’s personal growth influenced Mike’s evolution.

“The way we write these characters is based in small part on the actors themselves,”

he explains.

“The way Finn has matured into this very confident young man is mirrored in the show and in Season 5 in particular. You see Mike become that leader again that he was in Season 1, but a more mature, confident version.”

Mike’s character arc has come full circle—beginning as a young leader who defied evil government agents and the Demogorgon, and returning to guide his group with renewed authority.

Matt Duffer adds,

“And it’s just been so fun to see Finn sort of tap back into that fearless-leader mode but bringing that more adult maturity to it.”

Looking Back at a Defining Role During the Show’s Last Season

The release of Season 5 was structured into three parts: Volume 1 premiered on November 26, Volume 2 was unveiled on Christmas Day, and the highly anticipated finale aired on New Year’s Eve. Wolfhard is savoring the final moments of a series that has defined much of his young life.

Between seasons, he has built an impressive career, starring in 17 films that collectively grossed over $1.8 billion. His credits include two installments of It and two Ghostbusters films, making him the highest-grossing among his Stranger Things co-stars. Millie Bobby Brown follows with two Godzilla movies totaling $857 million in box office revenue.

At 19, Wolfhard expanded into directing with the horror-comedy Hell of a Summer, which he co-wrote, co-produced, and starred in alongside friend Billy Bryk, released by Neon. In June, he debuted his album Happy Birthday, influenced by British invasion and power pop acts such as The Cars. His social media following even surpasses that of Timothée Chalamet.

Industry Praise for Wolfhard’s Adaptability and Talent

Jason Reitman, who directed Wolfhard in Ghostbusters: Afterlife and Saturday Night, credits the star’s success partly to his self-awareness and adaptability during the chaotic phases of adolescence. When Wolfhard’s growth spurt led to awkward movements, he cleverly incorporated physical comedy into his performance rather than trying to appear traditionally attractive or cool.

Reitman comments,

“No normal 16-year-old is looking for ways to make themselves look like a buffoon. They want to look attractive. They want to look cool. They want to look charismatic,”

and adds,

“And here he had the wherewithal to understand that his body was going through a growth spurt. He was lanky and gangly at the time, and he saw the humorous opportunity.”

Wolfhard’s Unexpected Insight into the Show’s Future

Remarkably, Wolfhard is the only member of the cast and crew to correctly guess the concept of the upcoming Stranger Things spinoff. Ross Duffer acknowledges this:

“Nobody — not Netflix, not any of the producers, not any of the directors, not any of the actors — nobody else has figured out what the spinoff is. Finn figured out, which is pretty remarkable,”

and adds,

“We’ve mind-melded with this kid a bit.”

Wolfhard describes his theory:

“Like David Lynch’s ‘Twin Peaks.’ Sort of an anthology and different tones but similar universe or same universe. I think set in different places and all tied together through this mythology of the Upside Down. Don’t even talk about Hawkins. Don’t have any mention of our characters. They were toying around with ideas in case Netflix wanted them. I’m sure they do, and I’m sure it will happen, but there’s nothing official. I think the coolest way, the way that I would do it, there has to be labs everywhere. If there was one in Hawkins, there’s one in Russia. Where else could they be?”

The Casting Process That Discovered a Natural Talent

When casting began in 2015, Matt and Ross Duffer, with casting director Carmen Cuba, reviewed hundreds of audition tapes for their young protagonist. Wolfhard’s audition, a video showing him sick in bed recorded by his father, stood out for its authenticity and energy.

Ross Duffer recalls,

“He just had this precociousness but also energy, and he felt like a real kid,”

and adds,

“There was none of those sort of play-acting tendencies that you see from so many kids. Finn fidgets and he talked really fast, which wasn’t how Mike was written. But honestly, once we saw him, we knew it was so much more interesting than what we had written on the page.”

Only two actors were called for further auditions, and the second meeting was merely procedural—there was no doubt that Wolfhard was the right choice.

Balancing Fame and Normalcy in a Challenging Industry

Wolfhard was conscious from the beginning of the potential pitfalls child actors face, aware of those whose careers are hindered by personal struggles. He focused on preserving a semblance of normal life, even as his Hollywood profile grew.

He explains,

“At that time, my focus was on staying sort of as quote-unquote normal as I could be,”

and admits,

“I was never really a normal person — whatever normal is, whatever I thought that normal was. But I definitely was aware of how many child actors had it bad, how it ended up so bad.”

His upbringing involved attending a Catholic school rather than opting for homeschooling, fostering a grounded experience. Although he now describes himself as pretty agnostic, he admires Pope Leo XIV, whom he describes as

“a cool liberal-looking guy who actually cares about people.”

Quiet Political Activism and Social Awareness

Wolfhard shares a political consciousness typical of Generation Z, though he prefers to keep his activism mostly private. Unlike some co-stars who have drawn public attention for their political statements, he maintains a low profile.

He says,

“I am active in my personal life and try not to be in public, but I also know how that sounds in the sense of ‘Everyone has a platform’ and ‘I should be more …’”

He raises concerns about two issues in particular: Indigenous land rights and the conflict in Ukraine.

He expresses frustration over the treatment of Indigenous groups:

“I think the amount that the government gets away with, by just fucking over so many Indigenous groups …”

and reflects,

“They have to fight the government to try to get money from them for stolen land is just insane.”

For the Ukraine crisis, he contributes monthly donations to United24.

Managing Anxiety and Embracing Open Mental Health Dialogue

Wolfhard has struggled with anxiety, diagnosed early, and credits therapy for helping him manage it effectively. He balances an intense work schedule with self-reflection, emphasizing the importance of facing issues rather than suppressing them.

He remarks,

“Then I started seeing a therapist. It’s something that’s worked for me. I can either try to bury that stuff and just do project after project, not think about it, or be able to ask myself these questions.”

His concerns focus less on existential themes and more on relationships and career perceptions.

“Death is so abstract to me, I just don’t even know how to start with that,”

he confides, describing worries about social interactions and disappointing others:

“I think about saying the wrong thing, doing the wrong thing in social situations, doing the wrong thing in my career, disappointing people.”

Navigating Career Setbacks and Industry Challenges

Despite many achievements, Wolfhard faced moments of disappointment, such as losing the role of teen superhero in DC’s Shazam! to Asher Angel. Yet he did not let setbacks dampen his spirit.

He states,

“I was disappointed, but I was never really bummed,”

and adds,

“I don’t think I’m a very competitive person. Part of the reason why I started acting was because maybe it felt less competitive.”

The hardest part for him is handling rejection personally, especially when casting decisions cite superficial reasons. Wolfhard explains,

“It’s really hard not to take it personally because they’re literally not casting you because of you. The way to do it is to separate and compartmentalize.”

He acknowledges that auditions remain an uncomfortable experience:

“I definitely don’t enjoy that part. I like proving myself, but it’s never fun to go through the process of ‘You’re too short’ or ‘You’re too this or that.’ Because then you’re just thinking about ‘Oh, what am I?’ And then that’s why actors get so in their head and crazy.”

Inspiration from Role Models and Industry Peers

Wolfhard draws motivation from actors who transitioned successfully from child star to adult actor, naming Daniel Radcliffe and Jesse Eisenberg as heroes. Eisenberg, who cast Wolfhard opposite Julianne Moore in his directorial debut When You Finish Saving the World (2022), praises his blend of confidence and self-awareness.

Eisenberg notes,

“I was just kind of astounded by this young man who was so talented and also very self-aware, ambitious but smartly ambitious.”

He describes Wolfhard’s dual nature:

“Finn is two things that you very rarely see together. One is this unbridled, limitless confidence about what he can achieve and what he can try. But the other side of him is this incredibly self-doubting, nervous person.”

Wolfhard’s Love for Cinema and Indie Projects

At the Sundance Film Festival, where his A24 film The Legend of Ochi premiered, Wolfhard appeared more relaxed and eager to engage with the indie film community. The movie showcases a group of kids searching for a mythical creature in a forest, offering a tonal departure from his usual work.

He shared a moment with director Boots Riley, explaining,

“No, just geeking out over films.”

Wolfhard is known among filmmakers as an avid cinephile; in his hometown of Vancouver, he frequently visits repertory cinemas. He plans to watch Stanley Kubrick’s lengthy historical drama Barry Lyndon and cites Steven Soderbergh as a favorite director for his prolific, no-nonsense approach:

“Not even based on his filmography, which is obviously incredible, but just the way that he does things,”

he explains.

“He’s so pro, just making stuff and not being precious about it and just putting it out. He’s not obsessing over one project over the other. He’s a doer.”

Upcoming Projects and Personal Reflections

For the next month, Wolfhard enjoys a rare break without acting commitments before starting production on a remake of the 1999 cult horror film Idle Hands. Though he is producing, he will not star or direct in this project. This hiatus marks the first time since the beginning of Stranger Things that he does not have an immediate acting gig lined up.

On a personal level, Wolfhard shares that he is currently single and reflects on how this aligns with his intense work schedule and constant travel. He admits,

“I’m single and like … I feel like that’s something that I’m also kind of thinking about right now is just like … This is the time kind of where I have been doing the most work kind of in my life. So I feel like it’s been kind of … Maybe it’s been subconsciously — what’s the word? — deliberate?”

He continues,

“Just because I’m 22, I don’t really want to put my … Also considering how … At the rate that I’m traveling all the time and working and stuff, I just feel like it’s not the time to do that.”

Memories and Mementos: The Cast’s Bond

As Stranger Things transitions from active production to memory, a group of 11 cast members contemplated a collective tattoo to commemorate their shared experience. Sadie Sink suggested a flashlight design, while others favored marking the date the series debuted, July 15, 2016. Wolfhard preferred a tiger silhouette, reflecting the Hawkins school mascot.

He laments,

“No one could agree what to get because everyone had different storylines, and the show meant different things to different people.”

Yet he remains hopeful:

“Honestly, I think moving forward, we might still do it.”

The Symbolism of Change: A Haircut and Moving Forward

Wolfhard recently shaved his head for a role in a small indie film, a move that sparked a strong reaction among his predominantly teenage female fan base. He likened the experience to a powerful cultural moment:

“It was my ‘V for Vendetta’ moment — and just as powerful,”

referencing Natalie Portman’s iconic head shave. He was surprised by the intensity of fans’ reactions, but sees it as something temporary:

“My fan base is predominantly girls that are younger teenagers to my age, and it became this collective ‘No!’ I really did not expect for people to care as much. But hair grows back, apparently.”

In facing the end of Stranger Things and the uncertainties ahead, Wolfhard embraces a philosophy of acceptance. He explains,

“The way for me to sort of advance in my life and my career is not to try to replace the show. It’s to try to really embrace it,”

and adds,

“Because to fight it would be the wrong thing to do, because then you’re forgetting where everything started.”