19 behind-the-scenes secrets you probably didn't know about 'Stranger Things' season 4

Kim Renfro,Palmer HaaschJul 17, 2022, 19:15 IST

Millie Bobby Brown plays Eleven on "Stranger Things."Sarah Hindsgaul/Instagram and Netflix

Warning: Spoilers ahead for all of "Stranger Things" season four.
Insider rounded up the best fun facts and details about filming for Netflix's hit sci-fi series.

David Harbour had his head shaved in real time while filming the prison scenes.

A scene from season four of Netflix's "Stranger Things."Netflix

Millie Bobby Brown was wearing a wig, though. Her real hair underneath was at least shoulder length.

Harbour had to have prosthetics applied to his face in order to film the flashbacks to him surviving the Gate explosion.

Joseph Quinn was really playing Metallica's "Master of Puppets" on the guitar, with a "hand double" coming in just for the solo section.

Joseph Quinn as Eddie Munson in "Stranger Things."Netflix

Joseph Quinn improvised Eddie's dying words to Dustin in the finale.

A scene from season four of Netflix's "Stranger Things."Netflix

Caleb McLaughlin also improvised the heartbreaking "Erica, help!" line when he was filming Max's "death" scene.

A scene from season four of Netflix's "Stranger Things."Netflix

Actor Jamie Campbell Bower had spend hours in a makeup chair having the full Vecna costume applied from head to toe.

Jamie Campbell Bower dons heavy makeup and prosthetics to become Vecna in "Stranger Things."Netflix

David Harbour got to use a real '80s movie prop to fight against the Demogorgon.

A scene from "Stranger Things" season four.Netflix

The Duffer brothers considered a permanent death for Max in season four.

A scene from "Stranger Things" season four.Netflix

Dimitri was also almost killed off the show, but instead he might wind up in Hawkins in season five.

Tom Wlaschiha stars as Dmitri in "Stranger Things" season four.Netflix

Robert Englund's audition tape for season four was filmed in a bathtub.

Older Victor Creel in "Stranger Things" season four.Netflix

Jamie Campbell Bower printed out photos of Vecna's victims, crossed out their eyes, and stared at them on the wall to get in character.

Jamie Campbell Bower stars in "Stranger Things" season four.Netflix

Sadie Sink couldn't stop laughing when she first saw Vecna on set, and apparently Millie Bobby Brown actually cried.

Sadie Sink's "Stranger Things" character Max encounters Vecna in season four of the show.Angela Weiss/Getty Images; Netflix

Will's birthday goes unremarked in this season because the Duffer brothers completely forgot about it.

Noah Schnapp as Will Byers on "Stranger Things" season four.Netflix

David Harbour and Winona Ryder improvised their kiss in the season four finale.

David Harbour and Winona Ryder as Hopper and Joyce in "Stranger Things" season four.Netflix

Jamie Campbell Bower's casting was announced under a totally fake character name: Peter Ballard.

Millie Bobby Brown and Jamie Campbell Bower costar in season four of "Stranger Thing."Netflix

The Upside Down is made out of pool noodles and bubble wrap (among other things).

Steve gets dragged into the Upside Down in "Stranger Things 4."Netflix

There are "Dungeons & Dragons" references in the show's now-famous subtitles.

The "[dissonant gibbering]" subtitle in "Stranger Things" is actually a "Dungeons & Dragons" reference.Netflix

The emotional conversation between Jonathan and Will was written at the last minute after the Duffer brothers saw Noah Schnapp's incredible tearful performance in the van.

A scene from "Stranger Things" season four.Netflix

The emotional conversation between Jonathan and Will was written at the last minute after the Duffer brothers saw Noah Schnapp's incredible tearful performance in the van.

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19 behind-the-scenes secrets you probably didn't know about 'Stranger Things' season 4

David Harbour had his head shaved in real time while filming the prison scenes.

Millie Bobby Brown was wearing a wig, though. Her real hair underneath was at least shoulder length.

Harbour had to have prosthetics applied to his face in order to film the flashbacks to him surviving the Gate explosion.

Joseph Quinn was really playing Metallica's "Master of Puppets" on the guitar, with a "hand double" coming in just for the solo section.

Joseph Quinn improvised Eddie's dying words to Dustin in the finale.

Caleb McLaughlin also improvised the heartbreaking "Erica, help!" line when he was filming Max's "death" scene.

Actor Jamie Campbell Bower had spend hours in a makeup chair having the full Vecna costume applied from head to toe.

David Harbour got to use a real '80s movie prop to fight against the Demogorgon.

The Duffer brothers considered a permanent death for Max in season four.

Dimitri was also almost killed off the show, but instead he might wind up in Hawkins in season five.

Robert Englund's audition tape for season four was filmed in a bathtub.

Jamie Campbell Bower printed out photos of Vecna's victims, crossed out their eyes, and stared at them on the wall to get in character.

Sadie Sink couldn't stop laughing when she first saw Vecna on set, and apparently Millie Bobby Brown actually cried.

Will's birthday goes unremarked in this season because the Duffer brothers completely forgot about it.

David Harbour and Winona Ryder improvised their kiss in the season four finale.

Jamie Campbell Bower's casting was announced under a totally fake character name: Peter Ballard.

The Upside Down is made out of pool noodles and bubble wrap (among other things).

There are "Dungeons & Dragons" references in the show's now-famous subtitles.

The emotional conversation between Jonathan and Will was written at the last minute after the Duffer brothers saw Noah Schnapp's incredible tearful performance in the van.