7 Biggest Stranger Things Season 5 Reveals From Netflix’s New Documentary

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A new documentary offers a behind-the-scenes look at the final season of Stranger Things, revealing some of the biggest secrets. The show has been incredibly influential, practically defining the rise of streaming TV and setting the standard for many series that followed. Because of this, Season 5 faced huge pressure to deliver a satisfying conclusion after nearly ten years of storytelling.

Netflix has just released a new documentary offering a look behind the scenes of Stranger Things Season 5. Called One Last Adventure: The Making of Stranger Things Season 5, the documentary was filmed during the season’s production and includes real footage from set. It shares some surprising details about the challenges the Duffer brothers encountered while making the season, and explains some of its biggest plot twists. Here’s a rundown of the most important things revealed in One Last Adventure.

7. Production Started Stranger Things’ Series Finale Before It Was Fully Written

One of the most shocking revelations from the documentary is that filming of the series finale began before the script was finished. Production assistant Montana Maniscalco stated they were shooting episode 8 even though it wasn’t fully written. Matt Duffer acknowledged the writing process was incredibly challenging, due to both the pressure to deliver a good script and the constant distractions and outside noise.

Matt explained that the biggest issues stemmed from difficulties during production and feedback from Netflix regarding episode 8. The Duffers ended up working more closely with the writers on that single episode than on any other, leading to a lot of intense discussions about various parts of it. This intense process may be why the ending of Stranger Things Season 5 proved so controversial.

Matt & Ross Duffer Had A Debate Over Eleven’s Fate

The creators of Stranger Things, the Duffer brothers, have talked about debating what would happen to Eleven, but it turns out they didn’t always agree with each other. Footage from the writers’ room shows Matt and Ross Duffer arguing about whether Eleven intended to sacrifice herself, inspired by the events of episode 7. Matt believed Eleven couldn’t survive for the story to conclude properly, while Ross thought she could. Ultimately, they landed on a somewhat unclear ending, leaving it open to interpretation.

4. One Stranger Things Season 5 Writer Wanted Other Monsters In The Abyss

The creative team also clashed over how many monsters to include, particularly Demogorgons, in the Abyss. Paul Dichter felt it would be a mistake to have none at all, while Kate Trefry worried audiences might be tired of seeing Demogorgons. The Duffer brothers preferred to highlight the Mind Flayer’s new, massive form, feeling the Demogorgons had already served their purpose in the earlier MAC-Z sequence. As Matt Duffer put it, “The exciting part is the huge monster – that’s the fresh element.”

3. Vecna’s Abyss Base Was Known as the Pain Tree

We learn the official name of Vecna’s central base in the Upside Down: the Pain Tree. Located within the Mind Flayer’s ribcage, it’s appropriately named, as Vecna initially used it to inflict pain. Now, he uses it to send the children’s minds to Camazotz.

2. Mike Wanting a Gun Reflected Finn Wolfhard’s Own Wishes

Matt Duffer revealed the finale was influenced by the young actors, who wanted to participate more in the final battle. Finn Wolfhard specifically asked not to be given a traditional weapon like a candlestick and jokingly requested a gun, which Duffer declined. This request ultimately made it into the Stranger Things Season 5 finale – Mike ends up with a flare gun, much to the delight (and clear prior knowledge) of the rest of the cast, as Wolfhard had discussed it with them beforehand.

1. Why Karen Wheeler Became an Action Hero

The strong, protective mother is a familiar character in 1980s films. While Stranger Things initially used this trope with Winona Ryder’s character, Cara Buono’s Karen Wheeler truly became a warrior in her own right in Season 5. The show’s creators, the Duffer brothers, had been planning an attack on the Wheeler home for a long time, but they waited until now to show how Karen, like her daughter Nancy, could be incredibly fierce and protective.

What were your thoughts on the final episode of Stranger Things? Share your opinions in the comments and discuss it with other fans in the ComicBook Forum!

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2026-01-13 20:13