Fans of the global phenomenon Stranger Things have been given a raw and emotional first look at the behind-the-scenes documentary chronicling the making of its final season. Netflix has announced and released a teaser for One Last Adventure: The Making of Stranger Things 5, which promises an intimate insight into the years of work that went into the beloved show's conclusion.
An Emotional Farewell for the Cast
The newly released trailer is a poignant watch, showing several of the show's stars overcome with emotion as they reflect on the journey coming to an end. Millie Bobby Brown, who has played Eleven since the beginning, admits in a voiceover: 'I'm not ready to let go.' Her co-star Noah Schnapp, who portrayed Will Byers, is also shown in tears as the reality of wrapping up the series sets in.
The documentary, directed by Martina Radwan, was filmed over a full year on set. Radwan expressed her gratitude for the access, stating it was a 'true privilege' to watch the Duffer Brothers and the cast bring the final season to life in real time. She noted the remarkable generosity of the entire team in sharing their personal and collective experiences from a decade of filmmaking.
Inspired by The Lord of the Rings
Series creators Matt and Ross Duffer explained the inspiration behind the documentary, tracing it back to their childhood in Durham, North Carolina. They revealed that watching the extensive behind-the-scenes features for The Lord of the Rings was a formative experience, showing them the 'real nuts and bolts' of a massive production.
'We saw how stressed Peter Jackson was and thought: yep, that’s the dream,' they said. With the decline of physical media, they felt this kind of in-depth storytelling had disappeared, and One Last Adventure is their attempt to bring it back for a new generation of fans and aspiring filmmakers.
Fan Reaction to the Finale and Documentary
The final episode of Stranger Things, titled 'Chapter Eight: The Rightside Up', was released on December 31 in the US and January 1 in the UK. It saw the gang's final confrontation with Vecna and the Mind Flayer, successfully closing the gate to the Upside Down for good.
While the finale delivered a conclusive ending for many, it also sparked a mixed reaction online. Some viewers took to social media to criticise the season's direction, using the term 'woke' disparagingly. However, a significant number of fans praised the conclusion, calling it a 'beautiful ending to an amazing show' and expressing how emotional they were to say goodbye to the characters.
One Last Adventure: The Making of Stranger Things 5 will be available for all fans to stream on Netflix from 8am GMT on January 12. It offers a final, heartfelt look at the creation of one of the platform's most defining series.
