🚨 Stranger Things Fans Are RAGING Over ONE Cringeworthy Scene in Season 5 That’s Proof the Writing Has Completely Fallen Apart… 😬💔
Everyone was hyped for the epic finale battles and emotional payoffs… but then THIS moment hits – clunky, awkward, and straight-up embarrassing dialogue that stops the show dead in its tracks.
Fans are calling it “comically bad,” “lazy,” and the ultimate evidence that the writers lost the plot: “Why does it feel like fanfic?” “No one talks like that!” “Ruined the whole vibe!”
Is this the scene that’s tanking the final season for good? Or just haters overreacting before the big ending?
The backlash is INSANE – and it’s spreading like wildfire…
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As Netflix’s Stranger Things counts down to its series finale tonight on New Year’s Eve 2025, the show’s penultimate episode, “Chapter Seven: The Bridge,” has ignited a firestorm of criticism, with many viewers pointing to one extended emotional sequence as emblematic of what they see as the season’s broader writing shortcomings.
The scene in question features Will Byers (Noah Schnapp) delivering a lengthy monologue to a gathered group of friends and family, addressing his long-teased sexuality in a direct coming-out moment. Culminating in the line “I don’t like girls,” the speech has drawn sharp backlash for its execution, timing, and dialogue, which some describe as overly expository, melodramatic, and out of place amid the high-stakes buildup to confronting Vecna.
Online platforms erupted following Volume 2’s Christmas Day release, with the episode quickly becoming the lowest-rated in the series on IMDb at 5.4 out of 10. Rotten Tomatoes’ audience score for the season dipped to 56%, a significant drop from previous installments. Social media and forums filled with complaints labeling the moment “cringeworthy,” “clunky,” and poorly integrated into the narrative.
Critics of the scene argue that its placement – interrupting preparations for a world-ending battle – undermines urgency, while the group setting and rambling delivery feel unnatural. “It was like everyone standing in silence waiting for a TED Talk,” one Reddit user summarized. Others highlighted the dialogue as forced, with characters reacting in ways that strained believability given the 1980s setting and impending danger.
The controversy has blended with wider dissatisfaction over Season 5’s scripting. Viewers have repeatedly called out repetitive exposition, where characters over-explain plans and emotions, and quip-heavy banter that feels anachronistic for the era. Reports suggest Netflix guidelines encouraging simpler, more repetitive dialogue for distracted viewers may have influenced the style, leading to lines that prioritize clarity over natural flow.
Additional gripes include plot conveniences, such as characters surviving extreme injuries with minimal consequences, and arcs that feel rushed or sidelined amid the expanded ensemble. One viral complaint focused on a separate sequence involving Nancy Wheeler (Natalia Dyer) in an action-heavy moment, accused of excessive “plot armor” that defies logic.
Not all reactions tie directly to the coming-out scene’s content; many emphasize execution over theme. Defenders note that Will’s journey has been hinted at since Season 1, and the moment provides closure. Noah Schnapp, in interviews, described filming it emotionally, spanning nearly a full day. The Duffer Brothers have stood by the arc as planned from early seasons.
Yet the timing has fueled accusations of review-bombing, with some low ratings appearing motivated by broader cultural debates rather than storytelling critiques. Industry observers note that genuine writing concerns – pacing, character bloat, and tonal shifts – have intertwined with polarized responses.
Season 5 overall has maintained strong viewership, building on Volume 1’s record-breaking debut. Spectacular set pieces, Vecna’s expanded threat, and revelations about the Upside Down’s origins (reframed in some episodes as a wormhole tied to historical experiments) have earned praise. Performances from Sadie Sink as Max and Caleb McLaughlin as Lucas stand out for many.
Production challenges, including delays from 2023 strikes, contributed to a lengthy gap since Season 4. The staggered release – Volume 1 in November, Volume 2 on Christmas, finale standalone – heightened scrutiny, with each drop dissected in real time.
Broader critiques echo sentiments that the show has struggled to balance its growing scope. What began as a focused tale of a small group has incorporated numerous subplots, leading to accusations of dilution. Dialogue shifts toward overt emotional declarations and plan recaps have drawn comparisons to later-season pitfalls in other long-running series.
As the super-sized finale approaches – promising massive confrontations, sacrifices, and epilogues – anticipation remains high despite the divide. Netflix reports unprecedented hours viewed, and theatrical screenings for the closer sold out quickly.
The Duffer Brothers, in recent comments, acknowledged the difficulty of concluding a beloved story while honoring all elements. Spin-offs, including an animated series and stage productions, signal the universe’s continuation.
Whether “The Bridge” ultimately overshadows the season or fades amid the finale’s spectacle, it has undeniably amplified discussions about ending eras gracefully. Stranger Things transformed streaming with its mix of horror, heart, and nostalgia, launching stars and reviving cultural touchstones.
Tonight’s conclusion offers a chance to refocus on resolutions. For a show that captured a generation’s imagination, the debate underscores high stakes: delivering a send-off that satisfies without alienating.
Flawed or faithful, Season 5 has kept Hawkins in the spotlight. As fans prepare for the end, one question lingers: will the Rightside Up prevail, writing issues notwithstanding?
