Stranger Things Season 5 Could Have an Even Bigger Controversy On Their Hands

by

Season 5 of Stranger Things has been widely considered a disappointment, marking a significant downturn from the show’s previous success. The Duffer Brothers faced criticism for issues throughout the final season, culminating in a particularly unsatisfying finale. Instead of a concluding episode, viewers received a documentary about the making of the season, which unfortunately amplified the existing problems rather than resolving them.

The recent Stranger Things documentary brought up some issues fans had with the final season. While it touched on many of the biggest complaints, it didn’t really resolve them. In fact, the documentary arguably made the show’s creators, the Duffer Brothers, and their team look even worse. A major point of contention is footage showing an open AI tab on a laptop, leading many viewers to believe artificial intelligence was used to write parts of Stranger Things Season 5.

The Stranger Things Documentary Could Have Exposed the Duffer Brothers, Again

The Documentary Has Provided Nothing But Bad Publicity For the Showrunners

Following the disappointing reception of Stranger Things Season 5, Netflix released a documentary about how the season was made. What was intended to be a celebration of the show’s success, led by creators the Duffer Brothers, instead exposed the problems with the final season. The documentary revealed several issues, including evidence that the original ending was significantly different from what viewers ultimately saw.

The documentary clearly shows that many fan complaints could have been easily addressed. Learning about dropped ideas – like fewer Demogorgons or a different storyline for Eleven – is really disappointing. It’s actually more frustrating to discover the creators considered these options and then rejected them, than if they’d never thought of them at all.

Beyond issues with how the show ended, the documentary has sparked major controversy surrounding the Duffer Brothers. A serious accusation is damaging their reputation, with many viewers now believing the documentary provides clear evidence that the Duffer Brothers, along with other writers, potentially used ChatGPT to write the final season of the popular series.

There Are Several Scenes Featuring a Laptop With a Generative AI Tab Open

Did Stranger Things Season 5 Use AI?

Image via Netflix

Throughout the documentary, viewers can spot a laptop screen displaying a tab with an icon that closely resembles the ChatGPT logo, leading many to believe the writers were using the AI program. While ChatGPT and similar AI tools can quickly produce a lot of text, the resulting writing often lacks the quality you’d expect without human input.

It’s hard to know for sure if AI was used throughout the whole project based on just one instance. However, the fact that the producers even allowed an AI writing tool to be used during production suggests a lack of professionalism. While AI can speed up the writing process, the poor ratings for Season 5 suggest that speed doesn’t equal quality, if these claims are true.

It’s still uncertain if generative AI played a role in the project. Interestingly, those who disliked the ending are more likely to think AI was used, while fans of the Duffer Brothers tend to dismiss that idea. However, even the accusations themselves have damaged the directing duo’s previously positive reputation.

The Documentary Director Quickly Denied Any AI Claims

That Hasn’t Stopped Fans From Believing the Allegation

Image via Netflix

Martina Radwan, the documentary’s director, immediately denied claims that artificial intelligence was used in its creation. However, some believe her denials were more about protecting her reputation than addressing the truth. While Radwan has repeatedly stated that AI wasn’t involved, many viewers remain skeptical.

Even though Radwan has repeatedly denied rumors about AI being used, many fans are still demanding a thorough investigation into the last season of the show. Using AI to create content could set a worrying precedent for television. While it’s possible the creators simply weren’t as strong in the final season, it’s also possible they made choices that led to its perceived decline.

The Duffer brothers will probably take a long break before starting a new project. It’s been surprising to see how quickly some dedicated fans turned against them. Some of those former fans now believe the problems with the finale were caused by the use of artificial intelligence.

Many Fans Cite the Use of AI For the Many Oversights Within the Finale

Disheartened Fans Excited By Conformity Gate Have Quickly Rallied Behind This Rumor

Image via Netflix

After the final episodes of Stranger Things were released, many fans were unhappy, and a rumor called “Conformity Gate” began to spread. This theory suggested there was a hidden, extra episode that would resolve the confusing parts of the actual finale. Fans eagerly waited, but the episode never appeared. Ultimately, there was no secret episode, and the documentary about the show became the main focus, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the Duffer brothers.

Since the documentary came out, some fans think the show’s mistakes might be because of generative AI. They believe the creators, the Duffer Brothers, weren’t as involved in the writing this season, which could explain why it feels so different from previous seasons. While these ideas are probably not true, they do offer a possible explanation for the noticeable changes in style.

As a huge fan of the show, I’ve been following the debate about whether the Duffer Brothers used AI, and honestly, it’s tough to say what really happened. It feels unlikely a major production company would rely on that kind of technology, but with AI being so common now, anything is possible. We might never get a clear answer about the finale – whether any issues were simply creative choices, or if AI played a role in the writing process. It’s frustrating, because as a viewer, you just want to know the story behind the story!

Read More

2026-01-21 01:14