Executive producer and director Shawn Levy recently talked to Collider about the upcoming Stranger Things Season 5 finale. Speaking to Steve Weinstraub, the filmmaker was all praise for the Duffer Brothers and declared that the series finale is no less than a masterpiece.
Having watched the final version of the final episode of the final season of Stranger Things, it is a masterpiece. The Duffers have stuck that landing. So 10 out of 10 perfect. And I know it sounds like I’m kind of promoting my own show, but this is really said with just deference and tremendous respect to Matt and Ross, who wrote and directed that finale episode. And it is so deeply satisfying and moving. I have to say, it wrecked me.
Levy also remarked that fans who have been disappointed by the finales of other TV juggernauts, like George R.R. Martin’s Game of Thrones’ infamous finale, will not feel the same when they see the series’ concluding episode.
The series finales that have disappointed us over the years, this is something Matt, Ross and I have talked about, because those are heartbreaks. When you invest in characters and story for years of your life, and then they fail you at the end by being either tone-deaf to what brought you to that moment or disloyal to the spirit that made you love that storytelling — that’s such a bitter disappointment that sticks with you.
Well, the Duffers and stars of the show, like Finn Wolfhard during his interview with TIME, have talked about how the series finale will not be anything like Game of Thrones. With Levy assuring fans that it is going to be no less than a masterpiece, it is definitely a relief to hear!
Shawn Levy Believes Stranger Things Finale Deserves to Be in Theatres
When Netflix revealed that the Stranger Things Season 5 finale would be released in theatres, it was quite a bit of a shocker, since it hadn’t been done before. Well, Shawn Levy believes that the finale absolutely deserves to be in theatres, given how well they have “stuck the landing“.
They’re proud of they’re work, and they goddamn should be. That episode — like, when was a series finale in movie theaters? What a singular, beautiful, rare thing that is. It’s because this series, and that episode in particular, really earned that right. And I think it deserves it.
The Deadpool & Wolverine filmmaker remarked about what is supposed to be an over two-hour-long episode.
The series finale will have a limited theatrical screening in over 350 theaters across the United States and Canada, beginning on December 31 at exactly 5 PM PT till January 1, 2026. The final episode will be released at the same time on Netflix, giving the series a proper send-off.
Stranger Things Changed Shawn Levy’s Career
Shawn Levy is a longtime collaborator of the Duffer Brothers, who usually direct Episodes 3 and 4 each season of Stranger Things. While this season he did not get to direct his usual number, he did collaborate with the Duffer Brothers to direct the penultimate episode of the season.
While talking to Collider, the filmmaker remarked about how the series and this chance have changed his entire career.
It’s changed me more as a filmmaker than as a producer. My job as a producer, whether it was on Spectacular Now or Arrival or anything I’ve produced, is support the filmmaker, get out of their way and always be there when they need me for anything.
He added on.
When I offered to direct Episodes 3 and 4 in Season 1, which I did only so the brothers could go finish writing the season, it was a problem-solving gesture. It was like, ‘Okay, I’ll go to Atlanta, and I’ll direct for a while so you can write.’ That single offer, that moment changed my career because it opened up an awareness in me of how satisfying it was to direct different kinds of material.
Levy also revealed that if it wasn’t for Stranger Things, he would have never done anything remotely horror. But after directing the show, he realized how satisfying it was, allowing him to figure out all the different kinds of directing he wanted to do.
Well, what do you think about Shawn Levy’s latest comments? Let us know in the comments below.
Stranger Things Season 5 will hit the screens on November 26th with the first four episodes, followed by three episodes arriving on December 25th and the finale on December 31st, 2025.
