Gaten Matarazzo has shared frank details about his time as roommates with fellow Stranger Things star Finn Wolfhard, revealing the “disgusting” state of their shared home while filming the fifth season of the Netflix series. Reflecting on the Gaten Matarazzo living experience, the 23-year-old described how the messy environment tested both their friendship and personal habits during this intense period.
Friendship Fueled the Chaos During Filming
During an appearance on Jesse Tyler Ferguson’s podcast, Matarazzo compared living with Finn to being in a college-style arrangement, marked by occasional neglect and playful carelessness. The two actors, aged 23 and 22, let household standards slide for months as their close bond resulted in a mutual lack of accountability. They freely admitted how this led to their home becoming unkempt and far from inviting.
“It was a little bit of a college experience,”
— Gaten Matarazzo
“I would look around three months after we lived together and [be] like, ‘This place is disgusting.’”
— Gaten Matarazzo
The dynamic between Gaten and Finn as close friends created a situation where neither felt obligated to enforce shared cleanliness standards. As Gaten confessed, their supportive relationship became a double-edged sword.
“We match each other’s energy a little bit,”
— Gaten Matarazzo
“We got along so well and had been so close for so long that we didn’t really hold each other to a standard. So we were like, ‘Ah, f–k it. Whatever, man. We’ll get to it later.’”
— Gaten Matarazzo
Realization and Efforts to Improve Home Life
The roommates’ wake-up call came while making plans to socialize during breaks in filming. Anxiety over their home’s condition led both to avoid inviting anyone over, pushing them to recognize their need for better upkeep and a healthier living space.
“We would plan to go out and somebody would be like, ‘Alright, we’ll meet you at yours,’”
— Gaten Matarazzo
“Both of us would be like, ‘No. Do not come [within] 10 feet [of] our home.’”
— Gaten Matarazzo
Matarazzo said that over time, he and Finn became more committed to keeping their home cleaner. Their friendship remained unharmed, with both acknowledging the importance of recognizing when a living arrangement challenges their relationship dynamic.
“When you’re moving in with one of your best friends, you never know if you’re going to live together well,”
— Gaten Matarazzo
“That could ruin friendships. It ruins a dynamic. If you’re mature enough, you can be like, ‘This isn’t working for us, so for the sake of our friendship, we should end this.’ [But] it was great.”
— Gaten Matarazzo
Lasting Implications for Friendship and the Show
Despite a period marked by disorder, the Gaten Matarazzo living experience ultimately strengthened his relationship with Finn Wolfhard. Their ability to address and adapt to personal challenges ensured their friendship survived a testing situation, while the cast prepared for the release of Stranger Things’ fifth and final season on Netflix. The actors’ candid reflections serve as a reminder that even the closest friendships can face trials, especially when confronted with the realities of shared living during a demanding project.
