Building on his recent Variety interview about the Stranger Things series finale, Gaten Matarazzo delved deeper into Dustin Henderson's graduation speech, Eleven's ambiguous fate, and whether he expected his character's death.
In addition to recapping the emotional highs of Dustin's valedictorian speech—where he defiantly honors friendships and the Hellfire Club—Matarazzo clarified that he did not anticipate Dustin's death, aligning with the finale's theme of survival. 'The point is the kids make it through,' he emphasized, providing closure to the series' arcs without major losses. He called Eleven's ending a 'beautiful choice' that prioritizes normalcy for her loved ones, while acknowledging fan divisions. These comments offer further emotional context to the December 31, 2025, finale as the cast reflects on a decade-long journey.