Stranger Things Creators Reveal They Began Filming Season 5 Without a Finalized Script: “It Was Nerve-Wracking”

In a revelation that’s bound to stir up some debate, the creators of Stranger Things, Matt and Ross Duffer, have admitted they began filming the fifth and final season without a completed script for the finale.

“We went into production without having a finished script for the finale. That was scary because we wanted to get it right. It was the most important script of the season,” Matt Duffer shared in Netflix’s documentary, One Last Adventure: The Making of Stranger Things 5.

The documentary offers a glimpse into the creative discussions between the Duffer brothers regarding Eleven’s destiny in the concluding episode.

“The whole episode has to be building towards, ‘Eleven is going to kill herself,'” Ross Duffer stated at one point.

Matt countered, cautioning that too many twists could leave the audience feeling drained. Ross suggested a solution that ultimately influenced the ending of Stranger Things season 5: to “keep it ambiguous.”

Released on January 12, the documentary also captures heartfelt moments, including the main cast’s emotional farewell after filming wrapped. Given the ongoing discussions about the finale, including #ConformityGate and the scrapped extra episode, the Duffers’ admission is sure to make waves.

The duo has also been open about various aspects of the finale, confirming plans for Vecna to switch allegiances at one point and hinting at a climactic showdown featuring Demogorgons. There were even initial ideas for a three-hour finale, which may have contributed to the delays in finalizing the script.