# “I Didn’t Fully Get It at First”: Finn Wolfhard Admits He Was Confused by Mike Wheeler’s Ending in Stranger Things 5

As Stranger Things prepares to close its story for good, Finn Wolfhard has revealed that even he needed time to process how it all ends for Mike Wheeler. Speaking honestly, the actor admitted he initially felt confused by his character’s final moments — a reaction that instantly resonated with fans bracing for an emotional goodbye. The confession has only fueled anticipation, hinting that the finale won’t just shock viewers, but linger in their hearts long after the screen fades to black.

Finn Wolfhard, who has portrayed Mike Wheeler since the series premiered in 2016 when he was just 13 years old, has grown up alongside the character. Mike, the loyal leader of the Hawkins gang, has been at the heart of the show’s adventures, from battling the Demogorgon in season one to navigating complex relationships and supernatural threats in later seasons. As the fifth and final season unfolds—released in parts starting November 26, 2025, with the grand finale arriving on New Year’s Eve—fans are eagerly dissecting every hint about how their favorite characters will bid farewell.

In a candid interview earlier this year, Wolfhard opened up about his mixed emotions regarding Mike’s conclusion. “I was so happy with his ending,” he shared, emphasizing his overall satisfaction. Yet, he couldn’t hide the complexity of his feelings: “I was satisfied, but I was also very confused and sad, but also very happy.” This admission of confusion struck a chord, suggesting that Mike’s arc wraps in a way that’s not straightforward—perhaps bittersweet, thought-provoking, or even ambiguous enough to leave room for interpretation.

Wolfhard’s comments came at a time when production on season five was wrapping up, a year-long shoot that the cast likened to filming a series of movies. The actor described the final day on set as surreal, like “an emotional hangover,” where the reality of saying goodbye didn’t fully sink in until later. Having spent nearly a decade embodying Mike—the Dungeons & Dragons-loving kid turned steadfast friend and boyfriend to Eleven—Wolfhard’s confusion seems rooted in both the character’s journey and his own attachment. Mike has evolved from a wide-eyed boy searching for his missing friend Will to a young man facing world-ending threats, all while grappling with love, loyalty, and leadership.

This revelation has sparked endless fan theories. Some speculate that Mike’s ending involves sacrifice or loss, explaining the sadness Wolfhard mentioned. Others point to leaked set photos from earlier filming, showing a devastated Mike consoled by Chief Hopper, hinting at heartbreaking moments. Yet Wolfhard has also teased positive elements, noting in later interviews that Mike finally gets a “weapon” in the final season—a departure from his usual role as the group’s strategist—and that the conclusion felt “bigger than I could have imagined” and “perfect.”

What makes Wolfhard’s confession so relatable is its honesty. In a show known for subverting expectations, an ending that leaves even the actor momentarily puzzled promises to challenge viewers. The Duffer Brothers have long emphasized closing the story arcs satisfyingly, avoiding rushed resolutions like some infamous series finales. Wolfhard himself expressed early fears of backlash but later affirmed that the scripts felt “special.”

As volume two approaches on December 25, followed by the extended finale episode “The Rightside Up,” anticipation is at fever pitch. Wolfhard has described the remaining episodes with intriguing one-word teases: “crispy,” “shocking,” “enlightening,” and “emotional.” Mike’s story, central to the group’s dynamic, is poised to deliver closure that’s earned over nine years.

For fans who’ve watched Wolfhard and Mike grow up together, this confusion-turned-acceptance mirrors their own impending goodbye. Stranger Things has always blended horror with heart, and if Wolfhard needed time to fully grasp Mike’s ending, perhaps viewers will too. One thing is certain: when the credits roll on New Year’s Eve, the impact will resonate far beyond Hawkins, Indiana.