Matthew Modine On Dr. Brenner's Return In Stranger Things: Catalyst VR Experience

How Stranger Things’ Secret 2025 Release Gives New Look At Dr. Brenner Explained By Franchise Star Matthew Modine's Dr. Brenner looking intensely at El while kneeling in front of her in Stranger Things season 2 By  Grant Hermanns Published 24 minutes ago Grant Hermanns is a TV News Editor, Interview Host and Reviewer for ScreenRant, having joined the team in early 2021. He got his start in the industry with Moviepilot, followed by working at ComingSoon.net. When not indulging in his love of film/TV, Grant is making his way through his gaming backlog and exploring the world of Dungeons & Dragons with friends. Sign in to your ScreenRant account Summary Generate a summary of this story follow Follow followed Followed Like Like Thread Log in Here is a fact-based summary of the story contents: Try something different: Show me the facts Explain it like I’m 5 Give me a lighthearted recap

Matthew Modine is back in the world of Netflix's sci-fi horror franchise with Stranger Things: Catalyst, and it offers a very different look at the mysterious Dr. Brenner. Having been first introduced in the show's debut season, Brenner, also simply known as Papa, is the former head of the Hawkins National Laboratory who spent years experimenting on children and teenagers with psychic and telekinetic abilities.

Serving as an antagonist for much of season 1 in his efforts to bring Millie Bobby Brown's Eleven back to the lab, Brenner wasn't seen again until Stranger Things season 4, having been confirmed to be alive after being apparently killed by a Demogorgon. Season 4 continued to show Brenner as a questionable moral character, with his abusive mentality being part of what led Henry Creel to murder the other children subjects, but his techniques also helped Eleven regain her abilities, before he was fatally shot by an army sniper.

Now, Modine is back as Dr. Brenner for Stranger Things: Catalyst, an immersive VR experience from Sandbox VR in which players are put into the shoes of some of Brenner's test subjects in Hawkins National Laboratory and the Rainbow Room and find themselves exploring its various mysteries, while also being whisked away to the Upside Down and using telekinetic powers to fight Demobats, Demodogs and Demogorgons. Brenner's voice helps guide the players through their journey, albeit with a potential sinister motive behind it.

In honor of the experience's launch, ScreenRant's Grant Hermanns interviewed Matthew Modine to discuss Stranger Things: Catalyst. When asked about getting to play more of a supportive side of the character than the show often allowed, Modine explained that the VR experience gives fans an opportunity to "feel Dr. Brenner's presence and philosophy" by having them interact more directly with him and the world of Hawkins National Laboratory.

He did, however, denote that his and Sandbox's goal wasn't "about changing Dr. Brenner," but instead offering even longtime Stranger Things viewers "new layers of him" that will make revisits of the series more intriguing for franchise fans:

You sense he’s steering you through the danger, and I was excited to show more of that nurturing side to his character and give fans the chance to explore the legacy he created for themselves.

Catalyst Is Part Of Stranger Things' Evolution, Which Has "Exceeded" Modine's "Dreams And Expectations"

ScreenRant: This isn't the first time you've been a part of bringing the Stranger Things world to a new format, having also been part of Stranger Things VR. What were your thoughts when you were approached for the Stranger Things: Catalyst experience and having Dr. Brenner at the forefront?

Matthew Modine: I was thrilled to be invited to participate. The child in me recalled the excitement of stepping into another world — like amusement parks, haunted houses, holiday parades. The opportunity for me to help usher in this new, and continually developing technology, gave me the opportunity to return to a magical, youthful mindset.

ScreenRant: Sandbox VR is a very special form of VR experience in giving visitors a full-body journey through the world. Have you had the chance to check out Stranger Things: Catalyst for yourself yet? And if so, what was it like seeing Stranger Things through this lens?

Matthew Modine: Not yet! I’ll be visiting some of the locations soon. While I was working with the creators and development teams at Sandbox VR — I was thrilled to hear their feedback, perspective, and excitement for their work and the world they were creating. I’m excited to see and feel the universe they’ve created.

Dr. Brenner watching over a group of subjects testing their powers in Stranger Things: Catalyst

ScreenRant: While there are obviously plans for other stories, it's crazy to think Stranger Things is coming to an end. How does it feel for you to look back on your journey with the show, especially as Catalyst launches?

Matthew Modine: It’s been remarkable to see how Stranger Things has evolved. It definitely exceeded my dreams and expectations. While everything comes to an end, to have Stranger Things: Catalyst launch as the series comes to a close feels poetic in a way. As told in the stories the Duffer Brothers created, it’s love, friendship, and cooperation that are necessary to overcome obstacles and that same spirit continues in Stranger Things: Catalyst, as your team must work together to survive and uncover the truth. It’s a privilege to have Dr. Brenner exist in this new medium. It allows his presence to live on as fans adventure into this new chapter of the Stranger Things universe.

Be sure to dive into some of our other Stranger Things season 5 coverage with:

• Shawn Levy explaining why Stranger Things season 5 is the end for the series
• Millie Bobby Brown, Noah Schnapp, Natalia Dyer, Maya Hawke, Charlie Heaton & Joe Keery on the most rewarding and taxing scenes of the series
• Millie Bobby Brown assuring Stranger Things season 5's ending will avoid other finale complaints
• Noah Schnapp confirming that Will Byers gets a definitive ending in the final season
• Charlie Heaton explaining how Jonathan Byers' story is different from prior seasons
• Shawn Levy addressing the ambiguous fate of the Byers family's dog nine years after season 1
• Shawn Levy naming his favorite Stranger Things scenes

Stranger Things: Catalyst is now available at Sandbox VR locations worldwide, with tickets available to purchase here! Additionally, season 5 volume 1 is now streaming on Netflix, with volume 2 premiering on December 25 and the finale on December 31.

518 9.2/10 8/10

Stranger Things

10 stars 9 stars 8 stars 7 stars 6 stars 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star Like Follow Followed TV-14 Drama Mystery Horror Science Fiction Release Date 2016 - 2025-00-00 Network Netflix Showrunner Matt Duffer, Ross Duffer Directors Matt Duffer, Ross Duffer, Andrew Stanton, Frank Darabont, Nimród Antal, Uta Briesewitz Writers Kate Trefry, Jessie Nickson-Lopez, Jessica Mecklenburg, Alison Tatlock 7 Images Eleven looking into an opening of the Upside Down with pink light in Stranger Things season 1Jim Hopper (David Harbour) grabbing Jonathan's (Charlie Heaton) shoulders in Stranger Things season 1©Netflix/Courtesy Everett CollectionEleven with cables all over her head in Stranger Things season 4Vecna looking towards Will in the trailer for Stranger Things season 5 (2025)Max and Eleven in Stranger ThingsNetflixStranger Things season 2, episode 2 "Trick or Treat, Freak".MovieStillsDBThe Upside Down in Stranger Things season 5Courtesy of Netflix Close

Cast

See All

• Millie Bobby Brown Jane 'Eleven' Hopper
• Finn Wolfhard Mike Wheeler

Main Genre Drama Genres Drama, Mystery, Horror, Science Fiction Creator(s) Matt Duffer, Ross Duffer Executive Producer(s) Shawn Levy, Dan Cohen, Curtis Gwinn, Cindy Holland, Karl Gajdusek, Iain Paterson, Matt Duffer, Ross Duffer Producers Rand Geiger, Justin Doble, Lampton Enochs Seasons 5 Streaming Service(s) Netflix Franchise Stranger Things Powered by Expand Collapse

• Gaming
• Exclusive Stories
• Interviews

Follow Followed Like Share Facebook X WhatsApp Threads Bluesky LinkedIn Reddit Flipboard Copy link Email Close Thread Sign in to your ScreenRant account

We want to hear from you! Share your opinions in the thread below and remember to keep it respectful.

Be the first to post Images Attachment(s) Please respect our community guidelines. No links, inappropriate language, or spam.

Your comment has not been saved

Send confirmation email

This thread is open for discussion.

Be the first to post your thoughts.

• Terms
• Privacy
• Feedback

Recommended 19 hours ago

Quentin Tarantino Slams Hunger Games As Blatant Ripoff: "Sue Suzanne For Every F**king Thing She Owns"

20 hours ago

Stranger Things Stars Reflect On Most "Taxing" & "Rewarding" Scenes As Final Season Begins

22 hours ago

DC's First Green Lantern TV Show Trailer Reveals A Hal Jordan Twist

22 hours ago

How Star Wars’ Most Popular Disney Characters Embody The True Ethos Of The Franchise

More from our brands

Two Strangers Things Characters Are Being Recast For Season 5

Everything We Know About Stranger Things Season 5

42 Greatest R-Rated Adult Anime Series of All Time

37 Shows on Netflix That Couples Can Binge-Watch Together

5 Years Before Stranger Things, Steven Spielberg’s Free-to-Watch Masterpiece Reinvented Sci-Fi Horror

How Old Are the Main Characters in Each Season of Stranger Things?

The 25 Best Shows on Crave to Watch Right Now

Trending Now Radical, Ruthless, Revolutionary: Superman Needs to Ditch His Clean-Cut Image for Good Pluribus' Better Call Saul Cameo "Terrified" Rhea Seehorn South Africa Responds to Trump’s 2026 G20 Ban, Calling It "Punitive"