‘Stranger Things 5’ Episode 7 Hit With Massive 1-Star Review Bombing From These 5 Countries After Noah Schnapp’s Coming-Out Moment

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One scene in Stranger Things Season 5 dramatically shifted how viewers felt about Episode 7. Immediately after the episode was released, ratings plummeted. Review sites showed a sudden increase in very negative, one-star reviews, making it the lowest-rated episode of the season so far.

The episode received the most critical feedback from international viewers. In Saudi Arabia, over half of those who rated it gave it the lowest possible score – just one star.

Viewers in the U.S., UK, Brazil, and India also gave the episode notably lower ratings. Online reactions, including on sites like Rotten Tomatoes, suggest many people responded strongly to a particular scene, rather than the episode as a whole.

Episode 7 received the highest number of 1-star ratings from viewers in these countries: Saudi Arabia (68%), the US (37%), the UK and Brazil (both 29%), and India (16%).

— Stranger Things Memes (@SThingsMeme) December 28, 2025

The latest episode focused on Will Byers, and finally addressed feelings that the show had only subtly suggested for years.

Okay, as a huge fan of Stranger Things, I have to say Will’s scene was really powerful. Noah Schnapp finally got to reveal that Will isn’t into girls, and it felt so genuine. He also shared this scary vision from Vecna, basically showing him that being honest about who he is could push people away. It was a really understated moment – quiet, quick, and ended with a really sweet group hug. They didn’t really delve into it after that, which honestly felt true to the characters and the show’s vibe.

As a longtime fan, I have to say this scene really jumped out at me. The show had been so good at keeping things mysterious for so long, but this was just…direct. A lot of viewers felt it was about time they finally addressed things, while others thought it came way too fast. Honestly, Twitter exploded with people venting to Netflix!

Some viewers strongly disliked the final season, with one popular comment accusing Netflix of prioritizing Will’s coming-out story over the overall plot. Others expressed broader frustration, claiming the show had fallen victim to “woke” ideologies. These negative reactions spread quickly and contributed to the wave of negative reviews the show received.

The scene received criticism from both outside and within the LGBTQ+ community. Some queer fans thought it felt hurried or wasn’t done well. Specifically, Will’s speech about potentially drifting apart from his friends bothered some viewers, who felt it focused too much on fear and not enough on positive support.

The episode reignited discussions about the popular fan theory, “Byler,” which suggested a romantic connection between Will and Mike. While the episode showed Will had feelings for Mike in the past, many viewers believe that part of the story is now resolved.

People expressed their disappointment online. One fan wondered if this was all the show had to offer after so long, while another felt a particular scene was deeply disrespectful to LGBTQ+ viewers. Many also questioned why Will’s romantic feelings weren’t explored sooner and with more attention.

However, some people watching the event supported Will’s actions, viewing it as a brave and understated moment, not just a dramatic one. They also suggested there might be more to the story than what’s currently known.

While people are still talking about it, the audience scores clearly show that Season 5 of Stranger Things isn’t being well-received. Currently, it’s the only season with a “rotten” rating, scoring around 56 percent on the Popcornmeter based on thousands of reviews. This negative reaction highlights how fractured the fanbase has become, and demonstrates how a single scene can significantly impact how viewers remember an entire episode.

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2025-12-29 17:15