If you are still drying your tears after the final episode of "Stranger Things," after a decade filled with adventures and Demogorgons, there is good news. Hawkins still has secrets to reveal. Netflix has one last surprise in store, a behind-the-scenes journey into the making of the fifth and final season of "Stranger Things," premiering on Monday, January 12.
From the set to the writers’ room, the documentary offers an intimate look at how the ending of this iconic series was crafted, and how the creators and cast said goodbye to a story that defined a generation. Prepare to return to the Upside Down, this time from the inside.
One Last Adventure: The Making of Stranger Things 5
"One Last Adventure: The Making of Stranger Things 5" delivers an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at everything that viewers never saw from the final season. The documentary is directed by Martina Radwan, known for her work on documentaries like "Girls State."
“Spending a full year on set with them was a true privilege — and an absolute thrill," said Radwan in a statement.
The documentary’s trailer is packed with unforgettable moments, including the cast’s emotional table read of the final script. In the footage, Ross Duffer admits that writing the last lines these characters would ever say was really difficult, while Matt Duffer recalls the weight of typing two simple words, “End of series.”
Instead of sitting at their usual tables, the cast appears seated in armchairs, crying, sharing hugs, and reflecting in silence. Matt Duffer reveals that there was a debate about Eleven’s fate. “God, I don’t know how to handle this," he said. He questions whether the character will truly go through with what is planned, as images of Eleven appear on screen and Brown’s voice is heard off-camera saying, “I’m not ready to let it go.”
The preview also revisits early moments from the young cast’s journey, underscored by David Bowie’s “Heroes,” the song that played over the series finale’s end credits and serves as an emotional throughline for the story.
Bringing back the art of behind-the-scenes storytelling
The Duffer Brothers explained the inspiration behind the project in an interview with Tudum. Growing up in Durham, North Carolina, they dreamed of becoming filmmakers but felt Hollywood was out of reach. That changed when they watched the behind-the-scenes documentaries for "The Lord of the Rings."
"Everything changed when we watched the behind-the-scenes documentaries for The Lord of the Rings — on-the-ground films that showed the real nuts and bolts of how a massive production actually gets made," said the brothers.
“We saw how stressed Peter Jackson was and thought: yep, that’s the dream. With the decline of physical media, that kind of behind-the-scenes storytelling has largely disappeared,” they continued. “We wanted to bring it back. 'One Last Adventure: The Making of Stranger Things Season 5' — beautifully captured and directed by Martina Radwan — is our attempt to do just that. If you love 'Stranger Things,' or if you’re simply curious how a major Hollywood production comes to life, this one’s for you.”
Saying goodbye from behind the camera
Throughout the film, viewers follow the complete production of season five, from rehearsals to the filming of the most complex scenes, blending visual effects, production design, and performance. The documentary also takes audiences into the writers’ room, revealing how key decisions were made and how the show’s most ambitious sequences came together.
It all concludes on the final day of filming, when Ross Duffer declares, “And with that, we are done with Stranger Things,” as confetti falls from the ceiling, symbolically closing an era.
With this release, Netflix offers another emotional farewell to fans and to one of the shows that helped make the streamer what it is today.