Stranger Things Season 5 Faces Backlash Over Controversial Episode Ratings

LOS ANGELES, California — The final season of Netflix’s hit show Stranger Things is facing growing criticism, particularly after the release of its penultimate episode, “The Bridge.” The episode, which debuted on December 25, 2025, has become the lowest-rated in the series’ history on IMDb, with a score of 5.7 based on over 50,000 ratings.

This season, split into three parts, was highly anticipated, but many fans have expressed disappointment in the direction of the storyline and writing quality. The first part, released on November 26, 2025, was better received, yet the second part saw the audience rating dip significantly.

Viewers particularly took issue with a scene where Will Byers, portrayed by Noah Schnapp, comes out as gay to his friends. This moment received mixed reactions and has been cited as a focal point for the episode’s low rating. Some fans viewed the coming-out scene as unnecessary amid the imminent threats faced by the characters.

Alison Herman, a critic from Variety, noted that the show has struggled to evolve its characters and ambivalently relies on nostalgia and established archetypes. Critics also pointed out repetitive storytelling and writing as ongoing problems throughout the series.

On social media, some fans have accused others of targeting the episode through coordinated “review bombing” due to its LGBTQ+ themes. Despite the backlash, many viewers expressed that they did not have issues with Will’s sexuality but criticized how the moment was handled within the episode.

As of December 27, 2025, the Rotten Tomatoes audience score for the season stands at 56%, marking a significant drop from previous seasons. The season 4 audience score was about 89%. In stark contrast, episodes 1 through 4 of season 5 received scores above 70%.

The final episode of Stranger Things is set to air on December 31, 2025, creating anticipation amid ongoing fan concerns regarding the quality and resolution of the series’ concluding chapter.