- A documentary about the making of Stranger Things season 5 is now available on Netflix
- Fan reception has been largely negative
- Viewers are upset with revelations about the show's controversial ending
Frustrated Stranger Things fans have voiced their discontent with the show's creators following the release of a new documentary that sheds light on the final season's troubled production.
One Last Adventure: The Making of Stranger Things 5 is a two-hour documentary that provides a behind-the-scenes look at the making of Stranger Things season 5.
However, if Netflix anticipated that fans would appreciate this glimpse into the show's concluding season, they were mistaken. Since the documentary's release, viewers have taken to social media to express their frustration, as One Last Adventure highlights significant creative differences and issues surrounding season 5.
Warning: Full spoilers for the documentary and Stranger Things' season 5 finale follow, so proceed with caution if you haven't watched yet.
"We went into production without having a finished script for the finale" 3:27s from r/StrangerThings
Fan frustration was ignited just three-and-a-half minutes into One Last Adventure, when filmmaker Martina Radwan interviews Ross Duffer, one of the show's creators, who admits, "we went into production without having a finished script for the finale." Given the polarizing nature of the final episode, 'The Rightside Up', this revelation has shocked many fans. Discussions on r/StrangerThings quickly turned into debates about filmmaking and scriptwriting intricacies.
On platforms like X/Twitter, reactions have ranged from disbelief to exasperation.
THEY FILMED THE FIRST EPISODE WITHOUT WRITING THE ENDING BRO WHAT?????January 12, 2026
This isn't the only aspect that has upset fans of one of the best Netflix shows. Around the 45-minute mark, the Duffer brothers and their writing team discuss the finale's 'boss battle' sequence, where the heroes confront Vecna and The Mind Flayer. Fans have questioned the absence of other creatures, like demogorgons, during this climactic moment. In a post-finale interview with The Wrap, the Duffers attributed this decision to audience fatigue with demogorgons.
the way they just ignored him😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/R3ly9FqlhFJanuary 12, 2026
One Last Adventure reveals that the writers were divided on including these creatures. One writer expressed concern about the lack of variety, while Matt Duffer agreed, but Ross Duffer and another writer argued that viewers had seen enough of the demogorgons, demobats, and demodogs.
Many fans have voiced their dissatisfaction with this decision, as seen in various threads on r/StrangerThings and other online discussions.
Not even 3 minutes in and I'm annoyed. from r/StrangerThings
Additional fan outrage has surfaced following the release of One Last Adventure, with a Reddit thread compiling various fan observations. A significant point of contention is the accusation that the Duffer brothers may have used Reddit and ChatGPT to aid in writing the final season.
It's important to note that there is no evidence supporting the claim that they used AI tools to write Stranger Things 5. The Duffers have previously mentioned retconning story elements from earlier seasons (as reported by Variety), but they have not explicitly stated that fan theories from Reddit influenced their writing.
I see two chatgpt tabs, their career is over. RIP 🙏 https://t.co/Km07cX9qEiJanuary 12, 2026
Despite the lack of evidence, many audience members have jumped to conclusions. A scan of discussions on X/Twitter reveals numerous comments accusing the Duffers of using ChatGPT. Others have questioned why they would reference Reddit while writing season 5's scripts.
Conversely, some fans have defended the Duffers and expressed gratitude for Netflix providing a behind-the-scenes look at the making of their favorite show. However, as is often the case, negative reactions tend to garner more attention than positive ones. Expect ongoing cynicism and criticism as more viewers engage with the documentary and share their thoughts on its content.
