Stranger Things has recently faced intense backlash following the release of its fifth season, particularly after the coming-out scene involving Will Byers. The final episodes dropped on December 26, 2023, leading to a significant decline in audience ratings.
Season 5 Ratings and Reactions
The second part of the fifth season premiered on Netflix, coinciding with a New Year’s Eve finale. Despite an initial success with Season 5 Volume 1, which launched in November and marked Netflix’s biggest premiere week for an English-language series, audience scores have dramatically decreased.
- The audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes fell to 56%, a steep decline from over 70%.
- This rating is now the lowest recorded for any season of Stranger Things.
- Previous seasons had the following ratings: First season – 97%, Second season – 94%, Third season – 89%, Fourth season – 90%.
The Controversial Scene
One scene in particular, where Will Byers, played by Noah Schnapp, comes out as gay, has generated extensive negative feedback. Critics argue that this moment was unnecessary for the overall plot.
Comments on social media have ranged from assertions that the moment feels forced to defenses emphasizing that Will’s sexuality has been an underlying theme throughout the series. Some fans have countered the criticisms by highlighting that Will’s sexual orientation was subtly referenced in earlier seasons.
Criticism of Writing and Plot
Viewers are expressing dissatisfaction with the quality of writing in the final season. Key concerns include:
- Poor writing quality and excessive plot threads.
- Key characters being sidelined during the narrative.
- Unrealistic situations, such as Nancy’s unexpected ability to defeat trained soldiers.
- Inconsistencies in character development and plot execution.
The polarizing response highlights a broader discussion regarding representation and storytelling in modern television. Viewers are split on whether the inclusion of diverse narratives strengthens or detracts from the series’ appeal.
The final episode of Stranger Things is set to be available on Netflix and in theaters on December 31, 2023. As the series concludes, it continues to prompt reflection on storytelling, representation, and audience expectations in contemporary media.
