Just when fans thought the Stranger Things conversation had finally settled, the Upside Down finds its way back into the spotlight. A new behind-the-scenes documentary has reopened old wounds, with viewers
now questioning how the show’s much-debated finale was written and whether artificial intelligence had a role to play.
The controversy surfaced after the release of Stranger Things: One Last Adventure on January 12. The documentary, which looks back at the journey of the Netflix hit, has triggered fresh online scrutiny of the final season. Social media users began circulating screenshots from the film, claiming they spotted multiple ChatGPT tabs open on a computer used by the Duffer Brothers while working on the series.
As speculation gathered pace, fans took to X and other platforms to voice their outrage. “The Great Duffer brother used Chatgpt to write Stranger Things Season 5. WTF man, now we know why season 5 sucked. #StrangerThings5,” one user posted. Another wrote, “The Duffer Brothers were literally using ChatGPT and Reddit while writing this season & particularly the finale of Stranger Things. No wonder it’s complete (s**t emoji).”
The criticism didn’t stop there. A third comment read, “what a lame way to end stranger things. like all the hype + ”nO OnE wiLL PrEdIcT tHe EndINg”. Thought duffer bros where right, no one though you have zero vision and create most basic ending.” Another user questioned the process directly, saying, “So they really used ChatGPT for this script? WTF,” while one more added, “Now we know why the finale felt different & incomplete.”
The show’s finale has remained a sore point for many viewers since it aired. Comparisons have been drawn to Game of Thrones, with fans calling the ending even more disappointing than HBO’s famously criticised conclusion. The final episode also attracted a wave of 1-star ratings on IMDb, with a significant number reportedly coming from Saudi Arabia and South Asia.
Set in the fictional town of Hawkins, Indiana, Stranger Things began in 2016 and followed a group of friends whose lives changed after the mysterious disappearance of Will Byers. With the arrival of Eleven, a girl with telekinetic powers, the group uncovered the existence of the Upside Down — a dark parallel world linked to government experiments and deadly creatures.
After a nine-year run, the series officially ended in 2025, with its final episode released on December 31. The show starred Winona Ryder, David Harbour, Finn Wolfhard, Millie Bobby Brown, Gaten Matarazzo, Caleb McLaughlin, Natalia Dyer, Charlie Heaton, Cara Buono, Noah Schnapp, Sadie Sink, Joe Keery, Maya Hawke, Jamie Campbell Bower, and Linda Hamilton.
The creators have not responded to the AI allegations yet.
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