Additional Coverage:
- Gaten Matarazzo on saying goodbye to Dustin, crying through the ‘Stranger Things’ finale, and why it felt like the only right ending (businessinsider.com)
Hawkins Says Goodbye: Gaten Matarazzo Reflects on “Stranger Things” Finale
HAWKINS, IN – The final chapter of “Stranger Things” officially closed on New Year’s Eve, premiering on Netflix and in select theaters to a reported $25 million box office haul. While fans said a bittersweet farewell to the residents of Hawkins, Gaten Matarazzo, the actor behind the beloved Dustin Henderson, recently shared his thoughts on the show’s emotional conclusion and what it means to leave his iconic character behind.
SPOILER ALERT: Major plot details from “Stranger Things” season five are discussed below.
Dustin Henderson, everyone’s favorite curly-haired D&D enthusiast, received a largely triumphant send-off in the finale. After playing a crucial role in saving the world and vanquishing the Upside Down – and seemingly Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) along with it – Dustin was crowned valedictorian of Hawkins High. His graduation speech was a memorable moment, paying homage to the late Hellfire Club leader Eddie Munson and delivering a defiant message against conformity: “Screw everyone and everything trying to hold you back and tear us apart,” he declared, “because this, this is our year!”
For Matarazzo, now 23, that sentiment resonated deeply. His performance in the fifth season earned widespread praise, with critics highlighting his ability to anchor the sci-fi spectacle with raw, human emotion. A standout scene for many was Dustin’s tearful plea to Steve Harrington (Joe Keery) to stay alive, a moment that will undoubtedly be remembered as a series highlight.
As one significant chapter closes, Matarazzo acknowledges that it’s time to move forward, despite admitting he’d gladly play Dustin forever. Business Insider recently sat down with the actor to discuss his reaction to the finale, the emotional toll of filming, and his future endeavors.
Tears, Tributes, and the End of an Era
On Eleven’s Ambiguous Fate and Filming the Final Scene
Matarazzo revealed that the ambiguity surrounding Eleven’s fate was a plot point that initially surprised him, but ultimately, he believes it was handled perfectly. “It shocks me how well, I believe, the ambiguity of Eleven’s outcome sits,” he stated.
“I was so curious as to how that was going to translate… And after seeing it, they kind of handled that as perfectly as I could have imagined them doing so.”
He prefers to keep his personal interpretation of Eleven’s ending private, allowing viewers to form their own conclusions.
The final scene filmed by the core group – a Dungeons & Dragons campaign – proved to be a profoundly emotional experience for Matarazzo. He described it as “weirdly meta” and “self-referential,” feeling like the actors were saying goodbye to the show and its fans, not just their characters. “It feels like the first time that people can see us for being Finn [Wolfhard], Caleb [McLaughlin], Noah [Schnapp], Sadie [Sink], and I, and not just as our characters,” he explained.
He recounted a particularly tearful moment during Sadie Sink’s coverage. “I just started blubbering,” Matarazzo confessed, admitting his sobs were so loud he sounded like he was “choking on a biscuit.”
Sink, he recalled, simply laughed at him. By the time it was his turn for coverage, he had “nothing in the tank” and had to start from scratch to conjure more tears.
Dustin’s Valedictorian Moment and “Hellfire Lives!”
Matarazzo also discussed Dustin’s impactful valedictorian speech. The opening line, “I just wanted a normal childhood,” resonated deeply with the cast and the Duffer Brothers. He saw it as the creators’ subtle acknowledgment of any potential anxieties they had about the actors’ childhoods, though Matarazzo was quick to praise them for maintaining a warm and professional environment.
Delivering one of the show’s final defining monologues was both an honor and a source of nervousness for Matarazzo. The speech, which delves into themes of overcoming trauma with friends, felt incredibly personal.
“All of us feel very similarly to the way that Dustin feels, as people being a part of it,” he said. Filming it with his friends made it a cathartic and “stunning” experience.
The “Hellfire Lives!” slogan on Dustin’s T-shirt held significant meaning for the character, signifying his healthy processing of grief and his ability to help others navigate similar challenges. Matarazzo believes Dustin will become a valuable resource for those dealing with loss, a quality he wished he had as a teenager.
Another pivotal friendship moment involved Lucas saving Dustin from the Mind Flayer. Matarazzo enjoyed filming the stunt-heavy scene with Caleb McLaughlin, jokingly recalling a “very funny picture” of them intimately tangled during setup, reminiscent of a “smut-novel-at-an-airport-style” cover.
Suzie, Will, and the Future of “Stranger Things”
When asked about Dustin’s long-distance girlfriend, Suzie, Matarazzo speculates that their relationship likely ended during Dustin’s year-long grieving period for Eddie. He imagines a scenario where Dustin either cut her off or Suzie, fed up with his “shit,” broke up with him. “Hopefully he gets more dating opportunities in college,” he quipped.
Regarding Will Byers’ fate, Matarazzo expressed relief that the Upside Down’s destruction seemingly severed his connection to the Hive Mind. He hopes that this also means the other “kiddos” who were exposed to the Mind Flayer are now safe, as there’s no longer a physical link to its dimension.
While Matarazzo would “play Dustin for the rest of [his] life if [he] could,” he believes it’s too soon for a direct spin-off featuring the original cast. The Duffer Brothers are already developing new lore and exploring other parts of the world, a necessary step, according to Matarazzo. He hopes for a chance to revisit the character “someday,” but emphasizes the importance of acknowledging that this is truly the end of their story.
Playing Dustin for a decade has been an unparalleled experience for Matarazzo, allowing him to deeply explore and unpack the character in a way few actors get to. Looking ahead, he’s excited for a comedy film with the BriTANicK duo, set to premiere at SXSW in the spring, and hopes to return to the stage soon.
“Stranger Things” is now streaming on Netflix.