Stranger Things season 4 is going to be different from the preceding installments of the sci-fi horror drama. Previously, one of the cast members confirmed that the story will be matured compared to what viewers have seen in the past.
In a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly, Gaten Matarazzo, who plays Dustin Henderson, discussed what fans can anticipate in Stranger Things season 4. He said that they have to step up this time around, pointing out that the tone of the story will be changed.
As Matarazzo notes, the upcoming installment is "definitely matured for sure." He goes on to explain why the series has to do this -- mostly because the cast members are growing older. Then, the actor praised brothers/series creators Matt and Ross Duffer for delving deeper into the story.
This issue is something that they've embraced, with Matarazzo saying the Duffers used this to their advantage. The series is now evolving and it'll be different from what viewers were used to seeing. The actor's comments support what his co-stars said in the past, as well.
For instance, Finn Wolfhard, who plays Mike Wheeler, said in one of their interviews that Stranger Things season 4 is the "darkest" one yet. As the characters grow older, they'll be facing more massive threats along the way, as well as terrifying creatures.
Meanwhile, only a few details were known about the upcoming installment, though it has been confirmed that Sheriff Jim Hopper (David Harbour) is still alive. He was presumed dead at the end of season 3, but it was revealed that he's being held in a Russian prison.
The group won't also be complete when Stranger Things season 4 arrives on Netflix. It can be noted that Dustin, Mike, Lucas Sinclair (Caleb McLaughlin), and Max Mayfield (Sadie Sink) were the only members left in Hawkins. It looks like the four established a new group called "Hellfire Club."
Dustin and the remaining group members will likely focus on their new club, while Eleven Hopper (Millie Bobby Brown) and Will Byers (Noah Schnapp) continue with the adventure. The group may reunite again at some point, and together, they will take on evil forces in the town.
The fourth installment kicked off production in early 2020, but filming was forced to shut down due to the spread of the COVID-19. Production resumed in September of the same year, though it is still uncertain as to when filming will wrap up.
The official release date of Stranger Things season 4 hasn't been revealed at the moment.
