For nearly a decade, Gaten Matarazzo has been the heart of one of TV’s most successful shows. The journey was challenging but prepared him well for new beginnings.
We met at a small beer joint in Manhattan’s Hell’s Kitchen on a sunny July afternoon. The place feels narrow but extends far inside, and we sat near a Skee-Ball machine. The thirteen-year-old boy from the show is now twenty-three, sporting bushy eyebrows, bright blue eyes, and jet-black-painted fingernails.
The fourth season alone drew 140,700,000 views on Netflix, making it the streamer’s third-most-watched show ever. The series will conclude in 2025 with the fifth season, released in three parts around Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve.
It’s crucial for creators Matt and Ross Duffer to deliver a strong ending—while a poor finale can damage a show’s legacy, a great one can bring lasting prestige.
Matarazzo's genuine charm shines even in simple moments, like sincerely ordering root beer from a bartender, which captures a unique warmth and authenticity.
Author's summary: Gaten Matarazzo’s growth on 'Stranger Things' set the stage for a promising future as the show approaches its highly anticipated finale in 2025.