Finn Wolfhard reflects on Stranger Things finale pressure and excitement. [Image Source: PARADE]
Finn Wolfhard, known for his role as Mike Wheeler in the Netflix hit Stranger Things, recently revealed he was initially worried the show‘s final season might suffer the same harsh backlash as Game of Thrones. Speaking in a Time cover story, Wolfhard shared his anxiety over how fans would respond to the fifth and last season of the sci-fi series, which has drawn massive attention worldwide. His concerns stemmed from the well-documented disappointment around Game of Thrones’ finale, a comparison that loomed over Stranger Things’ concluding chapter.
Comparisons to Game of Thrones’ Controversial Ending
Game of Thrones faced significant criticism when its eighth season aired in 2019, with viewers and critics condemning its rushed plot and unsatisfactory conclusion. The backlash was so severe that an online petition demanding a remake with better writers amassed over 1.8 million signatures. The dissatisfaction wasn’t limited to fans; cast members like Conleth Hill, who portrayed Varys, openly criticized the rushed finish. Hill described a clash between the writers’ vision and HBO’s demands, saying,
“I think the writers wanted to do one thing to end it and the studio HBO wanted to do another. I felt that last [season] was a bit rushed. I was inconsolable, but now I’m fine about it.”
Meanwhile, other actors such as Nikolaj Coster-Waldau defended the creators, emphasizing their passion and hard work behind the scenes:
“For anyone to imagine or to think that the two creators of the show are not the most passionate, the greatest, the most invested of all, and to for a second think that they didn’t spend the last 10 years thinking about how they were going to end it is kind of silly. They really ― like everyone on Game of Thrones, every single person, and there are thousands ― we worked our asses off to make the best show we could for the ending.”
Reassurance Following Script Reviews
Initially apprehensive, Wolfhard’s doubts about Stranger Things’ finale eased once he read the scripts for the final season. He stated,
Image of: Finn Wolfhard
“I think everyone was pretty worried, honestly. The way that Game of Thrones got torn to shreds in that final season, we’re all walking into this going, ‘We hope to not have that kind of thing happen.’”
After reviewing the storyline, he added,
“We knew that it was something special.”
This renewed confidence highlighted the team’s determination to deliver a satisfying conclusion that would meet fan expectations.
High Stakes and Anticipation for Season Five
The final season of Stranger Things will be released in three parts starting November 26, with subsequent volumes arriving on Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve. The season focuses on Mike Wheeler and his friends as they face off against Vecna, the enigmatic antagonist who went silent after season four’s events. Co-creator Ross Duffer described the forthcoming episodes as the most ambitious yet, noting,
“This is the biggest season we’ve ever had in terms of action, in terms of visual effects, in terms of story. Ultimately, what people want is to see these characters together one last time.”
Wolfhard echoed this sentiment, calling it
“the highest stakes that the show has ever been.”
Scenes feature intense moments, including Wolfhard and co-star Winona Ryder safeguarding a group of children against unknown threats.
What This Means for Fans and the Franchise
Stranger Things stands as one of Netflix’s most popular franchises, with a passionate fan base eagerly awaiting closure. Given the strong reactions to Game of Thrones’ ending, the pressure on Wolfhard and his fellow cast and creators has been substantial. Their care in crafting the finale suggests a commitment to avoiding past pitfalls seen in other beloved series. As the release dates approach, fan anticipation builds, along with scrutiny, making this season crucial in cementing the legacy of Stranger Things among television’s modern classics.
