After the release of the Stranger Things documentary, fans accused the Duffer Brothers of using AI tools like ChatGPT to write Season 5. Screenshots from the documentary have fuelled backlash over the show’s controversial finale
Still from Stranger Things
The finale episode of Stranger Things Season 5 dropped on New Year’s Eve, bringing the popular series to an end. The conclusion sparked extensive discussions and fan theories around the show’s ending. Following the season finale, the makers released a documentary titled Stranger Things: One Last Adventure. However, instead of putting the debates to rest, the documentary has led to further criticism of the show’s polarising finale.
The Stranger Things documentary
After watching the documentary, several fans accused the creators of not having fully written the script themselves and alleged that artificial intelligence was used in the writing process. The documentary, released on the platform on January 12, has since come under scrutiny, especially regarding the final episode. Many viewers claimed they noticed multiple ChatGPT tabs open on a computer screen shown briefly in the documentary, leading them to conclude that the Duffer Brothers may have used AI while writing the script.
Reacting to this, one fan wrote on social media, “The great Duffer Brothers used ChatGPT to write Stranger Things Season 5. WTF, man. Now we know why Season 5 sucked. #StrangerThings5.”
Another user commented, “The Duffer Brothers were literally using ChatGPT and Reddit while writing this season, particularly the finale of Stranger Things. No wonder it’s complete [trash emoji].”
Some users also shared screenshots from the documentary that appear to show ChatGPT tabs open on a computer.
A CHATGPT TAB YOU CANT BE SERIOUSUXHCHSJXHCHH pic.twitter.com/P1md36LqGl
— 😵💫😵💫😵💫 (@politedeer) January 12, 2026
So you’re telling me they filmed the first episode of stranger things season 5 without even having the ending complete or written… No wonder it felt so rushed and the use of AI is so crazy to me big disappointment💔 #StrangerThings5
— Udi_gtz22 (@Udi_222) January 13, 2026
Stranger Things spin-off
Over the seasons, the story introduced several narrative threads, though not all received clear conclusions. One of the biggest questions left unanswered after the finale was whether Eleven is truly dead, along with the origin of the mysterious rock linked to Henry Creel’s transformation into Vecna.
The Duffer Brothers have confirmed that they are already working on a Stranger Things spin-off. In a conversation with Variety following the finale, they revealed that the spin-off will explore the origins of the mysterious rock and provide clarity on some unresolved storylines.
“The spin-off is going to delve into that and explain it, and you’re going to understand it. But it’s a completely different mythology. It’s very fresh and very new,” they said, adding that it will not focus on the Mind Flayer.
The creators also clarified that the spin-off will feature completely new characters, set in a new town with a new world and mythology, and will not include familiar faces from the original series.
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