The End of an Era: ‘Stranger Things’ Stars Reveal Behind-the-Scenes Secrets as Season 5 Finale Drops
By Staff Writer | Updated January 2, 2026
The wait is over. The Stranger Things Season 5 finale officially hit Netflix on December 31, 2025, bringing the 1980s-set phenomenon to a close. While fans are busy drying their eyes after the 8 p.m. ET drop, stars Finn Wolfhard and Natalia Dyer are giving us a taste of what life was like behind the scenes in Hawkins—specifically, who rules the kitchen.
The "Steve Harrington" of the Kitchen: Joe Keery’s Hidden Talent
During a recent appearance on The New York Times Cooking series, "The Pizza Interview," the onscreen Wheeler siblings revealed that Joe Keery is the undisputed "best cook" among the cast. While his character, Steve Harrington, is busy protecting the kids from the Upside Down, Keery is busy perfecting his culinary craft.
- The Signature Dish: Wolfhard raved about an "amazing" steak with chimichurri sauce Keery prepared.
- Effortless Skill: Dyer noted that Keery often whips up impressive chicken dishes "like it was nothing."
Wolfhard also shared his own culinary journey, noting a passion for Asian cuisine. While he admitted to a "way too salty" Japanese hot pot in the past, he recently mastered a kimchi stew that he says was "actually good."
Top Fan Theories: How Does It All End?
With the finale now streaming, the internet is buzzing with theories that have circulated leading up to this moment. Here are the top predictions that kept fans awake throughout 2025:
| Theory Name | The Concept |
|---|---|
| The "D&D Game" Loop | A popular theory suggests the entire series was a high-stakes Dungeons & Dragons campaign played by the boys in 1983. |
| Eleven’s Ultimate Sacrifice | Many fans predicted that to close the gate forever, Eleven would have to remain inside the Upside Down or lose her powers permanently. |
| The Kas Theory | A fan-favorite theory that Eddie Munson would return as "Kas," the vampire lieutenant from D&D lore, to help defeat Vecna. |
| The Time Jump | Rumors of a significant time jump to the late 80s or early 90s to show the characters as adults have dominated Reddit threads. |
A Bittersweet Goodbye
Natalia Dyer described the series conclusion as "perfect" yet "confusing and sad." For a cast that grew up on screen, the final days of filming were emotional. Wolfhard recalled that despite planning many "pizza nights" to bond during the final season, the group usually spent two hours debating what to order instead of actually cooking.
Whether you’re in it for the Joe Keery steak recipes or the resolution of the Vecna curse, Stranger Things 5 is officially a wrap. Both volumes are now available for streaming on Netflix.
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