Netflix Faces Outrage & Calls for Boycott Over Will Byers’ Emotional Scene in ‘Stranger Things’: Fans Say “Netflix Ruined Will”

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Viewers are passionately discussing the newest episodes of Stranger Things Season 5 Volume 2, especially the seventh chapter, “The Bridge,” which was directed by Shawn Levy.

The last three episodes, which became available on December 25th, were titled “Shock Jock,” “Escape From Camazotz,” and “The Bridge.” The final episode, “The Bridge,” featured a touching scene where Will Byers shared something personal with his friends – a moment fans had been waiting for throughout the series.

Will explained to his friends that he’d kept a part of himself hidden, afraid of being seen as different. He shared that while they had so much in common – hobbies, memories, and a strong connection – there was one thing he hadn’t told them.

You know, watching that episode, it really hit me when Will started talking about how he just doesn’t experience attraction to girls the same way his friends do. He even shared a story about a crush that wasn’t returned, but it made him realize something bigger. It wasn’t really about who he was crushing on, but about accepting himself for who he is. He admitted he’d been hiding it because he was afraid of being seen as different, and then he just said it – ‘I am different,’ and it felt so honest and brave. It was a really powerful moment, honestly.

The show’s latest developments quickly drew criticism from viewers online. Some fans were upset with Netflix for making Will’s journey of coming to terms with his sexuality a central focus of the final season. One fan expressed their frustration online, claiming that the show’s creators had “ruined” Stranger Things by prioritizing this storyline and suggesting it was linked to his character’s powers.

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

Will faced some criticism from LGBTQ+ viewers. In his speech, he shared a vision from Vecna revealing a future where his friends had responded with support instead of pushing him away, and he explained this made him withdraw from them.

As a huge fan of the show, I was really struck by a recent scene meant to be a powerful moment for Will. But it also brought all the ‘Byler’ discussions – that’s the fan theory about a possible romance between Will and Mike – right back to the forefront. The episode actually confirmed that Will did have romantic feelings for Mike at one point, which, honestly, was a lot to process!

Viewers expressed disappointment with a particular scene on social media. One fan lamented that after years of anticipation, the scene felt rushed and didn’t deliver, while another described it as offensive to LGBTQ+ viewers. Concerns were also raised about how one character’s feelings were handled compared to another, with one commenter questioning the fairness of a romantic interaction for another character given the history of unrequited feelings.

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A post shared by Shawn Levy (@slevydirect)

While some viewers weren’t upset by the scene, believing it was a crucial part of Will’s development and didn’t necessarily end his story, most fans felt it definitively concluded his romantic arc, even though it allowed him to accept who he is.

The discussion around Will Byers revealing his sexuality demonstrates the difficulty of evolving characters over many seasons while still satisfying viewers. It also proves how deeply invested fans become in the stories and characters they love.

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2025-12-27 18:44