Key Highlights
- Noah Schnapp, who plays Will Byers in “Stranger Things,” acknowledges that the final season’s finale is unlikely to satisfy all fans.
- The fifth and final season of “Stranger Things” concludes with a two-plus-hour episode airing on Netflix and select movie theaters Dec. 31, 2025.
- Season 5 has faced criticism for having too many characters vying for screen time in the series’ final episodes, as well as an overstuffed apocalyptic storyline.
- Noah Schnapp believes that while it’s hard to please everyone, he trusts the Duffer brothers to deliver a satisfying conclusion to the show.
The Final Season of “Stranger Things”
With only days left until the premiere of “Stranger Things” season 5’s finale, Noah Schnapp, who plays Will Byers in the hit series, is reflecting on his experience reading the final script. Schnapp first read the last episode’s script at a table read with the rest of the cast, noting that it was almost perfect and concluded all character arcs.
Noah Schnapp on the Final Finale
“When we read the finale, I remember feeling like everything was closed,” Schnapp told USA TODAY. “You end up feeling satisfied because there are no more questions. It’s a perfect conclusion to our stories.” However, he also recognizes that it’s impossible to please everyone.
Divisive Final Season
The final season of “Stranger Things” has been met with mixed reviews from fans. Many have complained on social media about the series’ apocalyptic storyline and the increased number of characters fighting for screen time in the final episodes. Some critics argue that the mythology feels overstuffed, while others appreciate the depth it brings to the narrative.
Trust in the Duffer Brothers
“It’s hard to please everyone,” Schnapp stated. “But I trust the Duffers and our cast to land the plane. They’re really good at being tunnel visioned; they just want to tell the story that they set out to tell 10 years ago.” He continued, “There are always people fighting over what should happen and what shouldn’t, but the Duffers are smart in how they write the show. Everything has a purpose.”
Preparing for the Finale
The young actor screened the finale with his castmates less than two weeks before its release. “I’m not watching on New Year’s Eve because I don’t want to be depressed the whole night,” Schnapp joked. “It’s like saying goodbye to a piece of ourselves; these characters have become so much a part of us.” He also mentioned that he plans to watch it in theaters with friends and family, prepared for plenty of emotional moments.
“Matt Duffer said he never cries at the stuff he does, but every time he watches this episode, it moves him,” Schnapp concluded. “So if he is, I definitely will – I’m the biggest emotional person. I’ll cry at anything!”