One Last Adventure: The Making of Stranger Things 5 provides insight into the emotional filming of the final season of a global phenomenon.
Stranger Things has come to an end. As someone who has been a part of this journey since the beginning, and recently introduced my daughter to Hawkins and the Upside Down, it was difficult to come to terms with the fact that it is over (and no, I never believed in – nor wanted – Conformity Gate). That said, the Duffer Brothers and Netflix did have one more thing in story for us – One Last Adventure: The Making of Stranger Things 5 – a documentary detailing the final year of filming, and the efforts that went into the final season.
This two-hour-long special did not disappoint. I was thrilled to spend just a little bit more time with this incredible cast, and learn more about the behind-the-scenes of this (in my opinion) perfect ending.
I have to admit, I felt a little bad for the Duffer Brothers because multiple times throughout the documentary, they reveal how they simply hope to please their fans with the ending. They do not want to kill off a ton of major characters because they wanted to leave the viewers with hope. While Eleven did make the ultimate sacrifice, or not, if you believe Mike’s wishful thinking story, the rest of the main characters came out unscathed.
Every fandom has its toxic members, but it really felt like Stranger Things fans were all of a sudden unappreciative of what the Duffer Brothers and the rest of this cast and crew have given to us over the last decade. I truly hope that everyone watches this documentary and appreciates the final season for what it is. Because it is something beautiful, special, and emotional.
There were many moments throughout One Last Adventure: The Making of Stranger Things 5 that I found myself crying. It became so clear just how much everyone involved in this show loved their experience on it. The cold read of the finale truly got me, and I was not just crying, I was nearly uncontrollably sobbing. Seeing the wave of emotions that I went through while watching it, on the faces of those who brought it to life, hit me far harder than I anticipated it would.
But it isn’t just the quieter, emotional moments that make it worth tuning in; it is getting to see how some of the explosive, epic action sequences were created. For example, the final fight against Vecna and the Mind Flayer is massive, and the team worked incredibly hard to make sure it looked as good as it did.
The scene where Nancy and Jonathan are stuck in the melting office building room did not turn out how director and producer Sean Levy wanted. He admitted that he was going to have to rely on visual effects far more than he wanted to in order for it to look the way it needed to on screen. Little things like this were so intriguing to learn. And don’t worry, Sean, that scene came out flawlessly.
One Last Adventure: The Making of Stranger Things 5 is a complete joy to watch. I had a permasmile on my face the entire time. It was nice to get to spend a little more time in Hawkins with some of my favorite characters. To see the happiness – and sadness – that they felt while filming the final season was extremely relatable – because that is how I felt watching it all play out.
About One Last Adventure: The Making of Stranger Things 5
A decade after rewiring pop culture, Stranger Things returns for its final chapter. One Last Adventure: The Making of Stranger Things Season 5 is a sweeping behind-the-scenes chronicle that follows the cast, creators, and crew as they bring the final season to life – and say goodbye to the show that changed them forever.
Directed by Martina Radwan, One Last Adventure: The Making of Stranger Things 5 is a MakeMake production and is streaming now, only on Netflix.
NEXT: Here’s Why You’re Wrong About Stranger Things Season 5 Volume 2
Tessa Smith is a Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer-approved Film and TV Critic. On Camera personality and TV / Film Critic with 10+ years of experience in video editing, writing, editing, moderating, and hosting.