Gaten Matarazzo on Stranger Things Final Season and Saying Goodbye

1 day ago7 min read6 comments

The final curtain is preparing to fall on one of this generation's most defining theatrical phenomena, and Gaten Matarazzo, who has grown up before our eyes as the endearingly toothless Dustin Henderson, is navigating the profound bittersweetness of the show's last bow. In a recent, deeply reflective conversation that felt more like a backstage heart-to-heart than a standard interview, Matarazzo delved into the emotional landscape of filming the fifth and final season of *Stranger Things*, a process he describes as a long, heartfelt farewell to a character and a cast that have become a second family.He spoke of the unique, almost sacred atmosphere on set, where every scene is now imbued with the weight of legacy, and the typical pranks and laughter are punctuated by moments of quiet realization that this sprawling, ambitious story is reaching its conclusion. This isn't just another season; it's the grand finale, the closing number of a blockbuster run that redefined television, and Matarazzo acknowledges the immense pressure to deliver a send-off worthy of its passionate global audience.Beyond the Upside Down, the actor is also stepping into a role of a different kind in Andy Serkis's highly anticipated adaptation of *Animal Farm*, a project that allows him to flex different creative muscles. He discussed the transition from the collaborative, ensemble-driven world of Hawkins to the more politically charged, allegorical universe of Orwell's classic, highlighting Serkis's visionary direction and the challenge of giving voice to a character in a narrative that serves as a timeless mirror to societal structures.For Matarazzo, this duality of projects represents a pivotal moment in his career: saying goodbye to the role that made him a household name while simultaneously embracing a complex, literary part that signals his evolution as a serious actor. The conversation naturally flowed into the broader theme of child stardom and the rare, successful navigation of that treacherous path, a narrative that the entire *Stranger Things* core cast has managed with remarkable grace. As the lights prepare to dim on Hawkins, Indiana, Matarazzo's reflections offer a poignant, human-centric look at the end of an era, not just for the fans, but for the artists who brought it to life, standing together in the wings for one last, magnificent performance.

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