As Netflix prepares to bid farewell to one of its most iconic series, a new documentary offers an intimate glimpse into the emotional culmination of Stranger Things. Titled One Last Adventure: The Making of Stranger Things 5, the film arrives on the streaming platform on January 12, providing behind-the-scenes access to the production of the show's fifth and final season. Directed by Martina Radwan and produced by Angs Wall, Terry Leonard, and Kent Kubena under MakeMake Productions, the documentary captures the years-long journey of creators Matt and Ross Duffer as they wrapped up the supernatural saga that has captivated audiences since 2016.
The trailer's release this week has already stirred nostalgia among fans, highlighting the raw vulnerability of the cast and crew. In the clip, Matt Duffer reflects on the challenge of scripting the series' conclusion, saying, “Writing the last lines that these characters would ever say. It was really hard to do.” The brothers, known for their meticulous storytelling, appear visibly moved as they navigate the final episodes, with Ross Duffer adding, “There was a debate in terms of Eleven’s fate,” followed by a poignant moment where he questions, “God I don’t know how to play this. Is she really gonna go through this?” These snippets underscore the personal stakes involved in ending a show that spanned a decade of their professional lives.
Millie Bobby Brown, who has portrayed the telekinetic Eleven since the pilot episode, echoes the sentiment in the trailer, stating, “I’m not ready to let go.” Brown's character has been central to the series' narrative, evolving from a mysterious girl with powers to a young woman confronting otherworldly threats. The emotional weight of her farewell is amplified by shots of the cast in tears, a testament to the deep bonds formed over nearly ten years of filming in Atlanta, Georgia, and various locations across the U.S.
Radwan, who embedded herself on set for a full year, documented not just the Duffers' creative process but also interactions with the ensemble cast and longtime collaborators. In a statement to Deadline, she expressed her appreciation, saying, “I’m endlessly grateful to the Duffer Brothers for trusting me with a front-row seat to this incredible journey. Being able to get close and watching them bring this beloved show to life in real time, was pure joy. I only wish I could travel back and document Seasons 1 through 4.” She continued, “Everyone welcomed me with remarkable generosity, openly sharing their personal and collective experiences from a decade of creative filmmaking, always pushing the boundaries. The Duffers inspire everyone to be better, including myself, their process and the show represents everything I love about filmmaking.”
Stranger Things, which premiered on Netflix in July 2016, quickly became a cultural phenomenon, blending 1980s nostalgia with sci-fi horror inspired by the works of Stephen King and Steven Spielberg. The series follows a group of friends in the fictional town of Hawkins, Indiana, as they battle interdimensional monsters from the Upside Down. Over four seasons, it amassed a global fanbase, with viewership numbers soaring into the hundreds of millions per season, according to Netflix reports. The show's success also spawned merchandise, spin-offs like the animated Stranger Things: Tales from the Upside Down, and even a stage play centered on Eddie Munson.
Season 5, filmed amid the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and labor strikes in 2023, marked the end of an era. Production wrapped in late 2024, with the finale airing on New Year's Eve 2026, simultaneously on Netflix and in select theaters. The theatrical expansion added more locations after initial RSVPs exceeded 1.1 million, reflecting the series' enduring popularity. Critics and fans alike praised the episode for its emotional depth, clocking in at over two hours with an intense battle sequence against Vecna, played by Jamie Campbell Bower, and a supersized Mind Flayer.
According to details revealed in related coverage, the finale delivers a somewhat happy resolution for the core characters. The original group, known as The Party—including Mike (Finn Wolfhard), Dustin (Gaten Matarazzo), Lucas (Caleb McLaughlin), and Will (Noah Schnapp)—graduates from Hawkins High School as the class of 1989. The young adults then scatter to college but reunite later to share updates on their lives. In a heartfelt moment, Jim Hopper, portrayed by David Harbour, proposes to Joyce Byers (Winona Ryder) and suggests they relocate to Montauk, Long Island—a nod to the original concept for the series, which was initially titled Montauk and set on the East Coast before shifting to the Midwest for logistical reasons.
The Duffers have been open about their inspirations in past interviews, drawing from their childhood love of genre films like E.T. and The Goonies. For the final season, they unpacked key elements in a separate Deadline feature, including a major character's death—spoiled only for those who delved into the article— a 40-minute epilogue, iconic needle drops from the 1980s soundtrack, and hints at potential spinoffs. While the brothers have emphasized closure, they left the door ajar for future projects in the Stranger Things universe, such as the already-announced Stranger Things: Dark Times stage production.
Behind the scenes, the production faced its share of hurdles. The Duffers agonized over plot twists, particularly Eleven's arc, which has been a focal point since Season 1. Brown's growth from a child actor to a 22-year-old star mirrors her character's journey, and her reluctance to say goodbye highlights the series' impact on its performers. Other cast members, like Harbour and Ryder, have spoken in interviews about the family-like atmosphere on set, with Harbour noting in a 2025 panel that the show "changed my life in ways I never imagined."
The documentary's arrival comes at a pivotal time for Netflix, as the streamer navigates a post-pandemic landscape with subscriber growth and competition from Disney+ and HBO Max. Stranger Things has been a cornerstone of Netflix's original programming, generating billions in revenue through licensing and tie-ins. The finale's theatrical component, expanded to accommodate demand, underscores the series' cinematic ambitions, with IMAX screenings reported in major cities like Los Angeles and New York.
Fans have flooded social media with reactions to the trailer, sharing memes and theories about unresolved threads, such as the fate of the Upside Down or lingering questions about Max Mayfield (Sadie Sink), who ended Season 4 in a coma. While the documentary avoids major spoilers, it teases the collaborative spirit that defined the show, from script readings to practical effects for the Mind Flayer's grotesque design.
Looking ahead, the Duffers are already teasing new ventures. In the same Deadline piece, they discussed their emotional process, revealing how the epilogue allowed for a reflective close. "We wanted to honor the kids' journey from awkward preteens to young adults," Matt Duffer said. As Netflix promotes the documentary with stills and clips, anticipation builds for what could be the final word on Hawkins—though spinoff rumors persist.
The broader implications for the entertainment industry are notable. Stranger Things revitalized interest in 1980s aesthetics, influencing fashion, music revivals, and even tourism in Hawkins-inspired locations. Its finale, with over 1 billion streams reported in the first week according to Netflix metrics, cements its legacy. For the cast, many now in their early 20s, the show served as a launchpad: Brown has starred in films like Enola Holmes, while Wolfhard appeared in Ghostbusters: Afterlife.
As the documentary unfolds the making of this epic conclusion, it serves as a love letter to collaborative art. Radwan's year-long immersion captured moments of doubt and triumph, reminding viewers of the human element behind the spectacle. With the series now fully "Rightside Up," as the Duffers put it, fans can relive the adventure one last time through this intimate lens.
In the end, One Last Adventure not only chronicles the end of Stranger Things but also celebrates its enduring magic. Whether through tears in the trailer or the joy of reunion in the finale, the documentary promises to resonate with those who grew up alongside Eleven, Hopper, and the gang. As the credits roll on January 12, it may just feel like the beginning of something new for the franchise.