Finn Wolfhard is taking 'control of the narrative'

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Set us as preferred Thinking back on the last two years of his life full of album releases, filming schedules and tour dates, Finn Wolfhard requires squint-inducing concentration to keep it all straight.“Jesus, a lot has happened,” he says, looking surprised.That’s an understatement.In that time, the 23-year-old not only finished filming the Netflix hit show “Stranger Things,” which catapulted him to global stardom, and promoted the final season upon its premiere.

He also released his feature film directorial debut (“Hell of a Summer,” co-directed with Billy Bryk, which hit theaters in April 2025).Then, he starred in another movie (A24’s creature feature “The Legend of Ochi”), directed a posthumous George Harrison stop-motion music video, wrote, recorded and put out his first solo album (“Happy Birthday”), and embarked on a 22-date tour before recording a new album.

On a video call from his family home in Vancouver, Canada, where he lives with his parents and older brother, he’s chatting about the release of that record, the eclectic, guitar-driven “Fire From the Hip,” which dropped Friday.“I think it’s a nice day?” he offers when I ask what’s happening in Vancouver.

“I don’t know.I’ve been in my basement studio all day, so I don’t … I think it’s nice.”He’s been down in the basement doing press calls like this, he explains, undoubtedly a familiar routine after so many years in the limelight.

He wears a baseball cap and an oversize brown sweater, tugging on the sleeves while he ponders.Even if Wolfhard is exhausted by the press marathon, he doesn’t show it.

He’s excited for the chance to be known on his own terms.He never fails to express gratitude for the projects that afforded him recognition and opportunity, but he’s ready to “take control of the narrative...