Finn Wolfhard Breaks Silence on Underage Drinking Rumors — Read His Statement
Finn Wolfhard has the internet buzzing after joking he was drunk while filming Stranger Things season 1. The viral quip was just that — a joke, not underage drinking — with the actor riffing that back then everyone could smoke on set.
Quick status check on Stranger Things world: a throwaway joke is blowing up, Finn Wolfhard just teased the final batch of episode vibes on Fallon, and the Duffers are out here talking about how they want your heart to break while monsters explode. Let’s unpack it.
No, Finn Wolfhard was not partying on the Season 1 set
A clip is making the rounds on X (thanks to @SThingsMeme) where Finn quips about being drunk during Stranger Things Season 1. Out of context, it sounds wild. In context, it’s clearly a gag that the internet decided to take literally. The joke line in question:
"We were so drunk. Business was different back then. Everyone could smoke on set. That was nice."
To be crystal clear: Finn has repeatedly said he doesn’t drink, smoke, or do drugs. He told The Guardian back in 2020 that growing up on set was structured and safe, and that none of the kids were ever around alcohol. So yes, the clip is funny. No, it isn’t a confession.
Finn’s one-word teases for the last episodes
On The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on December 17, 2025, Finn played the one-word game for the remaining Season 5 episodes, carefully avoiding spoilers. Here’s how he labeled Volume 2 and the finale:
- Episode 5, Shock Jock: "crispy"
- Episode 6, Escape from Camazotz: "shocking"
- Episode 7, The Bridge: "enlightening"
- Episode 8, The Rightside Up (the series finale): "emotional"
If you’re keeping track: Volume 2 (Episodes 5–7) drops December 25 on Netflix, and the finale lands on New Year’s Day on Netflix and in select US theaters. Finn also got a little reflective on Fallon, saying wrapping the show felt like closing a huge chapter since the cast basically grew up together on set. The Duffer Brothers swung by the show, too, and cheekily teased character fates using Funko Pops because of course they did.
The Duffers’ playbook: big monsters, bigger feelings
After the Volume 1 finale screening in New York City on December 18 at The Paley Museum, Matt and Ross Duffer did a Q&A with a bunch of the main cast. Matt spelled out their north star for the endgame: keep the spectacle, but make the characters the point.
"At the end of the day, what people care about are the characters. Ross and I also love monsters and action. You do try to do both."
"The sweet spot for us... is the 'Dear Billy' episode, where you have two things climaxing at the same time. You’re having this visual effects spectacle reaching a crescendo at the same time that Max’s character is reaching an emotional crescendo. If you have those collide simultaneously that’s the ultimate."
He also said the end of Episode 4 in Season 5’s Volume 1 was built exactly that way: a major action run colliding with an intense emotional moment for Will, who has stepped into new power. Translation: expect fireworks, but the show wants you to feel them.
Where we’re at and what’s next
Stranger Things is five seasons deep on Netflix, with Volume 1 of the final season streaming now. Volume 2 hits December 25, and the finale arrives January 1 on Netflix and in select US theaters. The cast lineup includes Millie Bobby Brown, Finn Wolfhard, Noah Schnapp, Winona Ryder, David Harbour, Gaten Matarazzo, Caleb McLaughlin, Sadie Sink, Natalia Dyer, Charlie Heaton, Maya Hawke, and Joe Keery. For the scoreboard watchers: it’s sitting around 8.6/10 on IMDb and about 90% on Rotten Tomatoes.
The real question is whether the ending sticks the emotional landing the cast and creators keep promising. I’m cautiously optimistic. How about you?