Stranger Things ended on New Year’s Eve 2025. It was one of the biggest TV finales ever. Millions watched. Many cried. A story people grew up with finally closed.
Now Netflix is releasing a behind the scenes documentary. It is called One Last Adventure: The Making of Stranger Things 5. It drops on 12 January 2026. It was filmed over an entire year. It shows late nights on set. Final hugs. Emotional goodbyes.
But fans noticed something missing right away.
David Harbour and Winona Ryder are not in it.
They played Hopper and Joyce. They carried the adult story of the show. Together, they were Jopper. One of the most loved parts of Stranger Things. Their absence shocked fans.
Netflix says it was a scheduling issue. The director said the same. Many fans do not believe that explanation.
The backlash started as soon as the trailer dropped. Hopper and Joyce had some of the most emotional scenes in the finale. Their relationship was the backbone of the adult storyline. Leaving them out felt wrong to many viewers.
Fans flooded X with reactions. People said the documentary shows monsters and effects but ignores the real love story of Hawkins. Others pointed out that Hopper proposed to Joyce in the finale. She said yes. That moment meant everything to fans. They cannot understand why it was not reflected in the farewell doc.
Some fans think there is more going on.
David Harbour has been in the spotlight a lot over the past year. His split from Lily Allen became a major topic after her October 2025 album. Many believed the lyrics reflected their real relationship. Then, in November 2025, a bullying complaint involving Millie Bobby Brown made headlines. The investigation was closed. Brown later said she felt safe on set. Still, the story lingered online.
In January 2026, Harbour also stepped away from a new project. He said the pressure after Stranger Things ended was too much. That added fuel to fan theories. Some believe Netflix wanted a clean and quiet goodbye. No controversy. No noise.
Others disagree. They say big projects always have scheduling conflicts. Not everything is drama.
The documentary itself focuses heavily on the younger cast. Millie Bobby Brown. Finn Wolfhard. Sadie Sink. Noah Schnapp. The Duffer Brothers guide the story. The tone is emotional and nostalgic. It shows practical effects. Old school filming tricks. Final wrap days.
Netflix calls it a love letter to the show.
Still, many fans feel something is missing.
They say Hopper and Joyce made the show feel real. They grounded the chaos. They carried Hawkins through its darkest moments. No matter what happened behind the scenes, fans believe Harbour and Ryder deserved to be part of the goodbye.
Some fans accept the choice. Others feel hurt. But most agree on one thing.
