Netflix recently released a two-hour documentary titled One Last Adventure: The Making of Stranger Things 5, providing fans with an inside look at the production of the final season of its popular sci-fi series. However, rather than appeasing viewers, the documentary has sparked significant debate among fans regarding the logic of the show’s conclusion, particularly the absence of iconic creatures known as demogorgons.
The documentary reveals that some of the show’s writers shared the audience’s confusion over the finale. Notably, the final episode features the main characters venturing into The Abyss, the source of the Upside Down and home to numerous monstrous entities introduced throughout the series. Fans expected a climactic battle with these creatures after witnessing five seasons of terror in their hometown of Hawkins. Instead, the heroes stroll into The Abyss without facing any threats, leading to widespread frustration among viewers.
One of the writers, Kate Trefry, noted the potential for “demo-fatigue,” suggesting that audiences may have grown tired of seeing demogorgons, especially after a significant battle in the fourth episode of the final season. This rationale ultimately influenced the decision to exclude demogorgons from the finale, which some viewers found perplexing.
The absence of resistance in what should have been a perilous environment has led fans to feel that the ending lacked credibility. As one writer expressed, “There has to be some monsters in The Abyss… it’s crazy if there’s nothing in there.” This sentiment underscores the disconnect between the writers’ intentions and audience expectations.
Reactions to the documentary have been mixed. Many fans are outraged that the writers themselves acknowledged the dissonance, particularly given that the finale was filmed before the script was completed. This detail provides insight into the pacing issues that have left viewers unsatisfied with the concluding episode.
The overarching concern extends beyond the absence of demogorgons. Viewers are questioning the logic of the finale itself. The heroes venture into the monsters’ domain and encounter no opposition, transforming what should have been the most frightening setting into an unexpectedly barren landscape. This has prompted discussions about the overall coherence of the series finale, with many echoing the sentiment that it “made no sense.”
The documentary One Last Adventure: The Making of Stranger Things 5 is now available for streaming on Netflix, inviting both fans and critics to delve deeper into the making of a show that has captured the imagination of audiences worldwide since its premiere in 2016. As viewers reflect on the series, questions about its conclusion and the creative decisions behind it continue to resonate.
