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As Stranger Things wraps up, Gaten Matarazzo reflects on Dustin’s journey, his off-screen bond with Joe Keery, and fan theories surrounding Eleven’s fate.
Gaten Matarazzo shares heartfelt words on Joe Keery and Stranger Things.
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After 10 long years, Stranger Things has finally come to an end. Gaten Matarazzo, who plays fan favourite Dustin Henderson in the series, has now opened up the long journey of his character and how he has grown through the series. Gaten also shared his opinion about the season finale and his theory of Eleven’s fate in the series.
Among the many things he discussed, Gaten opened up about his character Dustin and Steve’s iconic duo. Gaten said that not just their characters, he and Joe Keery are also good friends in real life.
Gaten Matarazzo talks about his bond with Joe Keery
In an interview with Variety, Gaten said, “Joe is the absolute best. He’s the MVP of every room he walks into, and I don’t think he even knows it. He has a leadership quality that he doesn’t demand, but commands, seemingly without trying. He’s a strong actor, a very thoughtful actor, very grounded, a good friend, and a tremendously funny guy. It was something that I was so excited to approach when Season 2 started, when we had a few scenes together. Before that, I didn’t think I’d ever get to work with him, so I was excited to take the opportunity while it was there. Thankfully, it just clicked.”
He further said everyone had chemistry with other characters like Lucas and Max, Nancy and Jonathan, so the makers thought about doing something with Dustin and Steve. Gaten said, “’What the fuck do we do with Dustin and Steve right now?’ Because they were both kind of dealing with similar predicaments in their love lives and they kind of had something to relate to there. Thankfully, there was a quality that worked between us and we locked into it.”
Gaten Matarazzo on Eleven’s fate
There have been several fan theories about Millie Bobby Brown’s character Eleven and her fate. Gaten Matarazzo was asked what he felt happened with Eleven, and is she’s still alive in the same interview, to which he said, “I do, but I want to keep that private. I don’t know if others will, but I think that whatever works for you and makes the show wrap up better for you is correct. You have the right to debate it, but whatever you want it to be for you is great. I think they teeter that line very well, because I’ve already noticed a kind of 50/50 split amongst fans about whether they believe.”
January 03, 2026, 12:53 IST
