The Duffer Brothers began filming the finale of their acclaimed Netflix series, Stranger Things, without a completed script due to time constraints. In a new documentary, One Last Adventure: The Making of Stranger Things 5, the creators revealed the intense pressure they faced as they wrapped up the series after five seasons with a feature-length final episode titled Chapter Eight: The Rightside Up.
The brothers, Matt and Ross Duffer, disclosed that while the storyline was fully plotted, a completed script was not available when they commenced filming. “It’s not like we don’t know what the ending is,” Matt Duffer explained. “It’s all plotted out. I have to write it, and we’re just low on time.” The urgency surrounding the shoot was palpable, as production assistant Montana Maniscalco noted that they were shooting episode eight, which was not fully written at that stage, remarking, “Spoiler alert! So we don’t even fully know what’s going on.”
Despite the chaotic circumstances, Matt Duffer expressed his concerns about the situation. “I’ve never done anything like this before. This is so weird jumping to eight … Don’t love it. Don’t love it,” he said. He elaborated on the challenges of writing the final episode, describing it as the most difficult writing environment they had ever encountered. “We were getting hammered by production and by Netflix for episode eight. We went into production without having a finished script for the finale. That was scary because we wanted to get it right,” he added.
The documentary, which premiered on Netflix on March 4, 2024, offers a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the final season, showcasing the cast’s journey from the initial table read to the last day on set. It includes footage of the team filming significant action sequences. Notably, the documentary does not feature actors Winona Ryder or David Harbour, prompting director Martina Radwan to address their absence. She stated, “We just didn’t get the time. They were busy with other projects, and so we didn’t have the time to sit down … Unfortunately, with David and Winona, we couldn’t find the time. We tried.”
As the series comes to a close, the Duffer Brothers’ decision to start filming without a finalized script reflects the high stakes involved in delivering a satisfying conclusion to a beloved show. Fans eagerly await the finale, hopeful that the Duffer Brothers will deliver the quality storytelling that has garnered Stranger Things a dedicated following over the years.
