Stranger Things Creators Push Back Against Fan Petition Claiming Hundreds of Hours Were Cut From the Finale
As fans of Stranger Things continue to process the explosive ending of Netflix’s flagship sci-fi series, the show’s creators, brothers Matt and Ross Duffer, have publicly addressed — and firmly rejected — claims that vast amounts of footage were cut from the final season.
The fifth and final season of Stranger Things premiered on New Year’s Day, bringing an almost decade-long story to a close. While many viewers praised the emotional resolution and ambitious scale of the finale, others were left feeling unsatisfied, arguing that key character arcs and narrative moments were missing.
That dissatisfaction quickly escalated into an online petition calling on Netflix to release an “uncut” version of the final episode. At the time of writing, the petition has amassed more than 380,000 signatures, accusing Netflix and the Duffer brothers of withholding crucial scenes that could have altered the fate of several characters.
Much of the speculation stemmed from a Google Docs file that began circulating on social media, claiming to list every deleted scene from the finale. Among the alleged omissions were extended conversations between Will and Mike following Will’s coming-out moment — scenes fans believed were essential to the emotional payoff of the series.
However, the Duffer brothers have categorically denied the existence of any such hidden archive of footage. Speaking to Variety, Matt Duffer addressed the viral document directly, stating: “Someone did send it to us, yes. Obviously, it’s not a real document.” Ross Duffer echoed the sentiment, adding that he was unaware of the petition and did not believe any scenes had been cut from the season at all.
“The show has gotten so big,” Matt continued. “Online, there’s just so much misinformation. Constantly. We’ve spent countless hours trying to correct things that simply aren’t true. But ultimately, we hope the work speaks for itself. This is the show Ross and I wanted to make.”
The brothers also emphasized Netflix’s hands-off approach throughout the series’ run. “Netflix has always been amazing,” Matt said. “They’ve never interfered or dictated anything creatively. They trusted us from season one, and that never changed — even as the audience grew.”
Despite the creators’ reassurances, debate surrounding the ending has remained intense. Reviews have been sharply divided, with some viewers comparing their disappointment to the controversial finales of Game of Thrones and Killing Eve. Others have taken a more measured stance: as of early January, the final episode holds a 7.9/10 rating on IMDb, suggesting a more balanced reception overall.
Beyond the petition, fans have also been busy dissecting the finale for hidden meanings and long-term foreshadowing. Some eagle-eyed viewers believe the series teased its ending as far back as season one, pointing to a The Dark Crystal poster in Mike Wheeler’s bedroom. Online theories suggest the imagery mirrors the final depiction of the Upside Down and the Mind Flayer — a theory that has gone viral across YouTube Shorts and TikTok.
The ending itself has also fueled controversy over character outcomes. While most of the core group survives, Eleven’s fate remains deliberately ambiguous. In interviews with People and Reuters, the Duffer brothers explained that there was never a version of the story where Eleven remained with the group. “For Hawkins and the Upside Down to truly end,” they said, “Eleven had to leave.” The time jump in the finale shows the remaining characters moving forward with their lives — graduating, pursuing careers, and finding personal closure — while Eleven’s legacy lives on through them.
Meanwhile, rumors of a so-called “Snyder Cut-style” release have been dismissed not only by the creators but also by cast members. Actor Randy Havens, who plays Mr. Clarke, bluntly shut down the speculation, telling fans not to believe “everything some random person posts online.”
As reported by outlets such as Variety, People, and The Guardian, the backlash surrounding Stranger Things highlights a growing trend in modern fandom, where audiences feel increasingly entitled to alternative versions of stories that do not meet their expectations. While passionate engagement has long been part of pop culture, the Duffer brothers maintain that the final season represents their definitive vision.
For better or worse, Stranger Things has officially closed the door on Hawkins. And despite the noise online, the creators remain confident that the series will ultimately be remembered not for petitions or rumors, but for the story it chose to tell.
Featured image credit: Jerod Harris/Getty Images for Netflix
