‘Stranger Things’ star surprises fans at finale watch party in Vancouver

One of the stars from the Netflix hit “Stranger Things” surprised fans at a recent screening of the series finale in Vancouver.

“Stranger Things” fans were in for a treat during a watch party at Park Theatre for the highly anticipated series finale on New Year’s Eve.

Vancouver’s own Finn Wolfhard, who stars as Mike Wheeler, was a surprise guest at the screening.

“I mean this was like 10 years of my entire life. You’ll see some shots from the episode and it’s going to be sad, looking at these cute little child actors and how ugly they are now,” he quipped on stage.

“Truly this has been my life and being able to end this journey with you guys and at home is the best thing I could ever ask for, so thank you so much.”

Fans packed the theatre to take in the more than two-hour epic conclusion to the long-running Netflix series, many donned in costumes of their favourite characters. There were also “Stranger Things”-themed desserts from Lee’s Donuts on hand and special edition beer from Backcountry Brewing with a design on the can showing the Park Theatre in the show’s Upside Down.

The screening was the first big event for Park Theatre since it was saved from shutdown last fall. Cineplex announced it would be shutting the Cambie Street venue on Oct. 26, but owner of independent theatre The Rio Corinne Lea, backed by a team of industry investors, swooped in to save it.

Read more: Team behind The Rio set to reopen Vancouver’s Park Theatre by year’s end

Finn Wolfhard was among the theatre’s backers, and at the “Stranger Things” screening recounted how he saw news of the cinema’s impending closure on Instagram, and cold-called Lea to find out how he could help.

“I’m so happy that The Park is still standing,” he told the crowd.