

Finn Wolfhard on the End of ‘Stranger Things,’ Directorial Debut, and New Album ‘Happy Birthday’
Jun 6, 2025
Finn Wolfhard, a talented actor, musician, screenwriter, and director, shares his journey from the beloved role of Mike in Stranger Things to exploring indie music with his debut album, Happy Birthday. He reflects on the bittersweet ending of the series, the deep bonds he formed with the cast, and his directorial debut, Hell of a Summer. The conversation dives into the creative process, addressing themes of anxiety, the shift from major productions to indie films, and the emotional nuances of growing up in the arts.
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Music as Creative Experiment
- Finn challenged himself to write around 50 songs, mostly trash, selecting only the best for his album.
- Writing songs is a curiosity-driven experiment to recreate the feeling he gets when listening to inspirational melodies.
Embracing Tape Recording Limits
- Finn recorded his album entirely on tape, embracing limitations to create authentic, handmade music.
- Tape recording restricts you to four tracks, requiring creativity to make catchy, bare-bones songs.
Finn's Emotional Grief Reveal
- Finn describes how grieving the end of Stranger Things hit him with unexpected moments of crying alone at home.
- The final day was emotional, with the entire cast and crew gathering to say goodbye and celebrate together.