As the final episode of "Stranger Things" aired on New Year's Eve, Gaten Matarazzo, who portrays Dustin Henderson, reflected on his time on the hit Netflix series, calling the experience "lightning in a bottle". After nearly a decade, the show, which premiered in 2016, has reached its conclusion, with the finale streaming on Netflix and screening in select movie theaters.

Matarazzo, a Connecticut native, has been a core cast member since the show's beginning, endearing himself to audiences with his portrayal of the lovable and intelligent Dustin. The show is centered around the fictional town of Hawkins, Indiana, and the "secret experiments" and "terrifying supernatural forces" that threaten its residents.

In an interview with ET, Matarazzo prepared fans for an emotional ending to the series. "I understand the anxiety. I hear you. We're all here for all that support for whatever happens. If your favorite is no longer with us or not, who knows?". He also advised viewers to "Get some tissues, get some ice cream, get some friends, and some family" in preparation for the final episodes.

The final season has kept fans on edge, with the fates of beloved characters hanging in the balance. The trailer for the season's second volume featured Dustin and Steve Harrington, played by Joe Keery, repeating a phrase from season 3, "If you die, I die," fueling speculation about a tragic end for either character. The Duffer brothers, the creators of "Stranger Things," have also hinted at a potentially brutal ending for Steve. Despite originally planning to kill off Steve in the first season, they were so impressed with Keery that they kept him on, making him an integral part of the show.

Matarazzo has also spoken about how he feels now that "Stranger Things" has officially ended. He stated that he feels "sad" and "excited" for the fans to see it. "I don't think it'll really feel like it's over until it's released because we're still doing events like this... but once it's released into the world and then we kind of just move on that's when it's going to feel uh I think a lot different". He believes that the cast will remain close.

Looking back on his time on "Stranger Things," Matarazzo fondly remembers the first table read and filming at the quarry. He also addressed the unrequited crush Dustin had on Max in season 2, noting that the writers ultimately decided to abandon the storyline to avoid making things too complicated.

As "Stranger Things" concludes, fans are bracing themselves for an emotional farewell, with many speculating about which characters might not make it to the end. Matarazzo's words serve as a reminder of the strong bond between the cast and the lasting impact the show has had on its audience.