Stranger Things 5 Volume 2 Faces Massive Backlash as Fans Turn on the Finale

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The final episodes of Stranger Things Season 5 (Volume 2), which premiered on Netflix December 25th, have received a very harsh reaction from viewers.

The fanbase, already split after the first volume, is now reacting very negatively, and criticism is quickly gaining traction on social media.

Viewers on Rotten Tomatoes didn’t seem to enjoy the latest installment, and ratings fell to around 78%. Episode 7, “The Bridge,” was particularly unpopular, becoming one of the lowest-rated episodes of the show.

Will Byers’ Coming-Out Scene Sparks Outrage

The most dramatic moment happens towards the end of Episode 7, when Will Byers reveals his true self to his loved ones.

Although the show doesn’t explicitly say it, the implication is clear: Will is attracted to boys. He reveals he doesn’t have feelings for girls, and this confession is linked to his established, unrequited feelings for Mike, framing it as a vulnerability Vecna could use against him.

Honestly, I was really disappointed with that scene. Instead of giving us that emotional boost we were hoping for, it just fell flat and a lot of fans agree with me. It completely stopped the action right before the big fight, and the long speech felt totally out of place when we were all on the edge of our seats waiting to see how they’d beat Vecna. It just killed the momentum, and it was frustrating to watch.

People on X are reacting negatively to a recent moment, describing it as awkward, unnatural, and feeling like it was pushing a specific viewpoint. Many are also wondering why the character Will chose to reveal something personal to a small group of people while a major crisis was happening. Critics say the scene felt poorly timed, executed, and written, lacking sensitivity to the situation.

Even LGBTQ Viewers Push Back

The criticism isn’t coming from one single source. Some LGBTQ+ viewers have also expressed concerns, feeling the scene appears too late in the show and unfairly portrays Will as simply weak and emotionally fragile.

Others accuse the show of queerbaiting before rushing a resolution at the last possible moment.

Many viewers feel that the way Will’s coming out was handled – through supernatural events – felt awkward and forced. They believe it missed an opportunity for a more genuine and organic moment earlier in the show’s storyline.

Pacing, Writing, and Stakes Continue to Be Slammed

Putting aside the issues with ‘The Will,’ this second volume has the same problems that readers pointed out in the first one.

Honestly, I’m starting to feel really frustrated with this show. It’s just…slow. Things that should feel impactful don’t really land, and instead of answers, the story just gets more confusing the closer we get to the finale. It’s a shame, because I really wanted to love it.

Though some viewers enjoyed how the show incorporated elements of mythology and the Upside Down, many now feel the series has lost its way. Vecna isn’t frightening anymore, and the show’s suspense has been replaced with lengthy scenes and dialogue that seem focused on delivering a message rather than progressing the plot.

Comparisons to Game of Thrones Grow Louder

As backlash builds, comparisons to Game of Thrones are becoming unavoidable.

Viewers have noticed a common trend: shows they enjoy often start to stray from what made them good, becoming longer and relying more on flashy effects and delivering messages than on a well-crafted story.

Rather than delivering a fulfilling ending, Volume 2 has left many viewers feeling frustrated, tired, and concerned about how the story will conclude.

The Damage Before the Finale

As the final season of Stranger Things approaches on New Year’s Eve, the show is facing some criticism and uncertainty.

Online conversation has moved past arguing and is now largely focused on dissatisfaction, with many people calling this the worst season so far.

Netflix wanted a victory lap. Instead, Volume 2 has poured gasoline on an already growing fire.

Zachary Levi is right

Actor Zachary Levi recently explained on YouTube why he believes current Hollywood trends are harming the industry, and his comments are relevant to the situation with Stranger Things, though he didn’t mention the show by name.

Honestly, as a fan, some of the recent plot points feel really forced. It’s like they’re pushing certain ideas so hard – and it’s not even just right-wing stuff, people across the political spectrum are annoyed! It feels unnecessary and frankly, a little preachy when I just want to escape into the story. It doesn’t add anything to the plot, it just feels… jammed in there.

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2025-12-27 03:32