Finn Wolfhard's role as Mike Wheeler in Stranger Things has evolved significantly as the series has progressed, but recent seasons have led to complaints over his character that can be ideally addressed with his new movie. When You Finish Saving the World is written and directed by Jesse Eisenberg, with the project serving as his feature film directorial debut. The A24 flick stars Wolfhard and Julianne Moore in a coming-of-age drama depicting a mother and son's shared struggle to connect. The movie premiered nearly a year ago at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival, with further details emerging following a trailer release that links both of Wolfhard's respective characters.
Although Mike is an integral member of the Stranger Things group in earlier seasons, his relevance and meaningful involvement have subsided in recent volumes. Despite Will's moving gesture to paint Mike as "the heart" of their party, it's evident that their bond is shifting, with Mike disconnected and often disassociated with Stranger Things' central narrative. With When You Finish Saving the World set to release in theaters later this month, the film can lay a clear emotional and tonal direction for Wolfhard's character Mike for the fifth and final season of Stranger Things.
How Ziggy's Arc Makes Mike's Character Arc Easier For Stranger Things
Wolfhard plays Ziggy Katz in When You Finish Saving the World, and his arc as a misunderstood teen that seemingly finds his way back to establishing a healthy relationship aptly parallels Mike's recent story in Stranger Things. Ziggy's character appears conflicted in the trailer. He has amassed a somewhat significant online presence of nearly 20,000 subscribers as a developing recording artist playing "classic folk rock with alternative influences." Although this music is live-streamed to a considerably large audience, Ziggy struggles to capture these same connections in his everyday life, as he appears to have a strained relationship with his mother, father, and classmates.
Ziggy has grown apart from his family, and other than a singular interest in music, he possesses no alternative drives or ions. This lack of substantial investment outside his own personal sphere leaves him feeling "stupid" when attempting to discuss more global issues like politics with his peers. This singularity mirrors Mike Wheeler's failed character in Stranger Things. Later seasons of the show have reduced Mike's character to a one-dimensional figure utilized solely to further Eleven's arc. While Eleven is undoubtedly the more compelling character, Mike will need significant changes if Stranger Things season five is going to succeed holistically.
How Ziggy And Mike Are Similar
Wolfhard has risen to prominence as Mike in Stranger Things and starred in Andrés Muschietti's It adaptations. However, When You Finish Saving the World looks to be his most layered performance yet. Wolfhard's portrayal of Ziggy Katz alongside that of Julianne Moore's Evelyn Katz was subject to praise following the film's premiere. There's no reason to think he couldn't replicate this same level of acting range in Stranger Things season 5.
Ziggy and Mike find themselves physically and emotionally isolated from the people who care about them most. For Stranger Things to conclude on a satisfying note, Mike's character needs further involvement and development compared to the distant presence he's recently been saddled with. Similarly, although most A24 films aren't famous for idyllic endings, seeing Ziggy reconnect with his family and deepen his relationship with real-life peers would make for an immensely uplifting film in the coming-of-age catalog that is so often downtrodden.
