Fans of the global hit Stranger Things have been granted an unprecedented look behind the curtain with Netflix's release of a special two-hour documentary. One Last Adventure: The Making of Stranger Things, dropped on 12 January 2026, delves into the creation of the show's climactic final season, with creators Matt and Ross Duffer confessing to moments of sheer panic.
The 'Terrifying' Final Script
In the documentary's opening, the Duffer Brothers openly discuss their fear of disappointing the show's massive fanbase. They reveal a production process fraught with anxiety, admitting they began filming the grand finale without a completed script. "We went into production without having a finished script for the finale. That was scary because we wanted to get it right, it's the most important script of the season," they said. The brothers described a constant cycle of doubt and refinement, comparing the process to working a "ball of clay" until it finally took shape.
The Debate Over Eleven's Ultimate Choice
The core of their creative struggle centred on the destiny of the show's powerful heroine, Eleven, played by Millie Bobby Brown. Behind-the-scenes footage from the writers' room shows a heated debate. The narrative was building towards a pivotal moment: "Eleven is going to kill herself." However, the brothers disagreed on how to present her decision to the audience.
Ross Duffer argued for maintaining suspense, suggesting they keep the audience guessing until the very last second. "I think you have to keep toying with the audience... 'Oh my god, is she really going to go through with this?'" he said. Matt Duffer, however, felt that certain actions, like a heartfelt moment with Hopper (David Harbour), would signal a clear choice to live. The discussion grew so intense that Matt was seen with his head in his hands, ultimately concluding, "God, I don't know how to play this."
A Bittersweet Ending and a Cast Family
The finale itself left viewers to interpret Eleven's fate. In the closing scenes, Mike Wheeler (Finn Wolfhard) tells a Dungeons & Dragons story suggesting Eleven escaped the destruction of the Upside Down using powers learned from Kali. She is then seen trekking happily past the three waterfalls she and Mike had dreamt of, implying survival in a healed world.
The documentary also highlights the profound bond formed by the cast over the past decade. Noah Schnapp (Will Byers) recalled, "The first season, it just didn't feel like acting." Sadie Sink (Max) noted their undeniable chemistry, while Millie Bobby Brown and Natalia Dyer (Nancy) both described the group as a "chosen family."
One Last Adventure: The Making of Stranger Things is available to stream now on Netflix.
