Fan-Asks AI to Rewrite ‘Will Byers Comes Out’ Scene To Better Reflect 1980s – The Result Is Wild

by

A fan recently asked the AI Grok to rewrite the coming-out scene for Will Byers from Stranger Things, aiming for a more authentic 1980s feel. The result is a much darker take, where Will’s friends and family don’t accept him, unlike the supportive reaction in the original show. This rewritten version has quickly gained attention online.

A video created using artificial intelligence depicts Will coming out as gay, which is met with negative reactions from his friends. His mother attempts to advise him that it’s not a good moment to share this information, but Will replies with a defiant statement, saying he doesn’t plan on having children. When Mike asks if Will is attracted to other men, Will confesses, “I like you, specifically.”

The video concludes with Will being shot by Eleven. This happens because his plan to defeat Vecna goes too far, relying on tired clichés in the process.

I asked Grok to revise the scene where Will Byers comes out, making it more fitting for the 1980s. All rights belong to Netflix and Stranger Things.

— Huff (@Huff4Congress) December 28, 2025

Season 5 of Stranger Things has faced considerable criticism. It’s the only season of the show to receive a “Rotten” rating from audiences, and some viewers are even asking others to stop watching it.

Will revealed he’d kept a part of himself secret because he feared being judged. He explained to his friends that, despite sharing so much in common, there was something important he hadn’t told them.

Will shared something personal with his friends, explaining he’s kept it hidden because he feared being seen as different. He admitted he’s attracted to people differently than they are, and that he once developed feelings for someone who didn’t feel the same way.

The scene sparked a strong reaction online, with some fans criticizing Netflix for centering Will’s sexuality in the final season of Stranger Things. One commenter wrote that Netflix “ruined” the show by focusing on Will coming out and falsely suggesting his powers were linked to his sexual orientation.

Others commented, “The woke mind virus has infected everything. Come on Netflix, you can do better.”

Some LGBTQ+ viewers had complicated reactions to the show. A scene where Will sees a vision of his friends accepting him, rather than rejecting him, resonated with him deeply, but also reminded him of times he’d withdrawn from others.

The scene, intended to be uplifting, sparked renewed discussion about the popular fan theory, ‘Byler,’ which suggests a romantic connection between Will and Mike. The episode makes it clear that Will previously had romantic feelings for Mike.

Viewers expressed disappointment online, with many criticizing a key scene as rushed and unsatisfying. One fan called it a letdown after years of anticipation. Others were particularly upset with how a character’s coming out was handled, feeling it disregarded the experiences of LGBTQ+ viewers. Some also questioned the portrayal of a character’s romantic feelings, pointing out what they saw as an unfair comparison to another character’s relationship.

While some viewers were unhappy with the scene, others felt it was a meaningful part of Will’s development and hinted that his story wasn’t finished. Most, however, interpreted the episode as a confirmation of Will’s romantic relationship and his acceptance of who he is.

The discussion around Will Byers revealing his sexuality demonstrates the challenge of evolving characters naturally while still satisfying viewers in shows that have been on the air for a long time. It also proves how deeply invested fans are in the stories they love.

Read More

2025-12-29 00:14