With Volume 1 of Stranger Things Season 5 already released, fans have noticed how Gaten Matarazzo’s Dustin appears changed in the new season. Clearly, Dustin is still coping with Eddie Munson’s (Joseph Quinn) death from Season 4 and is honoring his legacy through his new look. However, it took considerable effort from the hair design department of Stranger Things to ensure he embodies the loss and trauma on-screen.
Stranger Things Season 5 hair designer breaks down Dustin’s transformation
In Stranger Things Season 5 Volume 1, Gaten Matarazzo’s character is deeply affected by Eddie Munson’s death and seems determined to carry on his legacy.
For instance, Dustin continues the Hellfire Club at Hawkins High, despite pressure from the jocks to shut it down. His physical appearance is also different in the new season as he primarily wears a Hellfire Club t-shirt and sports a mullet hairstyle reminiscent of Eddie’s.
This is where the hair department stepped up. Sarah Hindsgaul, the hair designer for the show, told TV Insider, “That was obviously one of the first things I started working on.” She added, “I wanted to be as close to Eddie, but with Dustin’s signature curl in it.”
Hindsgaul continued, “So we still have Dustin, but it’s a complete homage. It is a complete copy. It is what Dustin would choose for himself to get as close to looking like Eddie.”
Despite facing criticism for his changed look, Dustin continues to persevere. “I think it’s a beautiful thing that it’s his way of trying to keep him alive and reminds the world [Eddie] is still here with us,” Hindsgaul stated, “And it’s just very heartbreaking.”
Of course, the transformation Dustin undergoes is not only superficial. He has changed as a person after Eddie Munson’s death. Evidently, Gaten Matarazzo did an excellent job in portraying this change.
Sarah Hindsgaul commented, “I thought it was interesting when I saw Gaten actually play the role on set, how he changed his walk and his whole demeanor. And it all really came together. When I saw him walk down that hallway, I was like, okay, this is working.”
Nevertheless, it will be intriguing to see how the remaining episodes of Stranger Things Season 5 will explore this further.
