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Netflix’s hit series Stranger Things is facing harsh criticism as its final season continues to release, with the latest batch of episodes drawing comparisons to one of television’s most notorious disappointments.
The second installment of Stranger Things’ fifth and final season dropped over the holidays, and fans aren’t holding back their disapproval. Social media has erupted with comparisons to the widely panned final season of Game of Thrones – once considered television royalty before its controversial conclusion became its defining legacy.
Some viewers are even likening it to Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker – another franchise finale that left fans deeply divided.
“Most of Stranger Things season 5 is someone explaining a plan in a quippy manner and everyone calling it insane,” reads one viral tweet that’s gained significant traction.
Another disappointed viewer wrote: “I went into Stranger Things 5 wondering whether it’d be closest to Season 1 or Season 3 in terms of quality, and now I’m trying to work out whether it’s closer to Game of Thrones Season 8 or The Rise of Skywalker.”
The backlash has been swift and severe.
Critics have taken particular issue with the visual style of certain scenes. One Twitter user questioned: “why is this shot and lit like an snl skit” alongside a clip from the show.
Fan Reaction Intensifies
The growing dissatisfaction marks a significant shift for a series that has historically enjoyed strong fan support. Despite its massive budget and lengthy production delays, these new episodes appear to be connecting with viewers less than previous seasons.
“Stranger Things is on its way to becoming the new Game of Thrones,” warned one commenter – highlighting the fear that a disappointing conclusion might permanently tarnish the show’s legacy.
Another fan didn’t mince words: “I’VE WATCHED P— WITH BETTER WRITING THAN STRANGER THINGS!”
Among the scenes receiving particular criticism is Will Byers’ coming out moment, which many viewers found poorly executed. Social media has been flooded with clips of the scene accompanied by harsh commentary.
Some fans have even created parody videos mocking what they perceive as the declining quality of the writing.
Despite the criticism, many fans will likely still tune in for the conclusion. The two-hour-long series finale of Stranger Things will be released on Netflix (and in select theaters) on Wednesday, December 31 at 8 p.m. EST.
The show – which has been a cornerstone of Netflix’s original programming strategy since 2016 – faces enormous pressure to deliver a satisfying conclusion after years of building its complex mythology. Whether it can reverse the current negative sentiment remains to be seen.
