Matt Duffer, one of the creators of the hit Netflix show Stranger Things, has responded to criticism about the series finale. He admits he wishes he hadn’t answered fans’ questions so quickly after the show ended. Stranger Things, which first aired in 2016, quickly became one of Netflix’s biggest successes, combining a love for the 1980s with science fiction and horror as it told the story of a group of children in Hawkins, Indiana, fighting monsters from another dimension called the Upside Down.
After almost ten years, the final episode of Stranger Things aired on December 31, 2025, bringing the show’s decade-long run to a close. Fans had very different reactions: some loved the heartfelt moments and goodbyes, while others felt the episode was rushed, left some storylines unfinished, and made questionable choices in how the story was told, leading to a lot of online discussion and criticism.
The Duffer brothers recently discussed the interviews they did right after the Stranger Things finale aired on Josh Horowitz’s podcast, Happy, Sad, Confused. Matt Duffer explained he wasn’t feeling well at the time and asked fans to be understanding about his answers. You can read his full statement below.
Looking back, I regret doing those interviews after the event. I’m really not feeling well right now, and I honestly don’t know why we even did them yesterday. I’m completely exhausted – I was already recovering from the flu. So, if anyone was unhappy with our answers yesterday, please be understanding.
The final season and episode of Stranger Things have received a varied response. Many viewers and critics appreciated the emotional endings for certain characters and the meaningful final scene, but a significant number of people were also left feeling disappointed.
Viewers strongly reacted negatively to the seventh episode of Season 5, Volume 2, titled “The Bridge.” Ratings on platforms like IMDB dropped to a record low of 5.6/10, and many fans expressed their disappointment with the episode.
Season 5 also received lower ratings on Rotten Tomatoes. Viewers gave it a 57% score on the site’s Popcornmeter, while critics rated it higher with an 84% Tomatometer score. Based on over 5,000 reviews, many viewers described the season as feeling forced and lacking enjoyment.
Social media is buzzing with discussions and disagreements about unanswered questions and story choices in the latest season of the show. Fans are even circulating a petition with over 300,000 signatures, requesting the release of supposedly lost footage, even though the actors have confirmed no such footage exists for Stranger Things 5.
While some viewers criticized the later episodes of Stranger Things for prioritizing plot over meaningful character moments, most fans enjoyed the finale. They felt it provided a satisfying conclusion to the stories of their favorite characters.
After almost ten years, Stranger Things has become one of the most important shows of our time, helping to make stars out of its actors and sparking discussions among viewers of all ages. Its ending is a major cultural event, and it highlights the powerful role fans play – they can be a show’s biggest supporters, but also its toughest critics.
All seasons of Stranger Things are available to stream on Netflix.
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2026-01-04 23:48