The series' lowest-rated episode) and Rotten Tomatoes (audience score dropping to around 56% for the season).
Key Points of Controversy
The main flashpoint was a lengthy scene where Will Byers (Noah Schnapp) explicitly comes out as gay to his friends and family shortly before the final battle with Vecna. Critics labeled this:
- "Forced inclusion" or "woke propaganda," arguing it halted the plot momentum in a high-stakes finale.
- Unnecessary moral messaging, with some falsely claiming it tied Will's superpowers directly to "embracing his sexuality" (though it's more about overcoming fear and shame, a recurring theme since Season 1).
- Inauthentic to 1980s Indiana, portraying acceptance as too easy.
Other complaints included:
- Overpowered female characters (e.g., Nancy Wheeler as an action hero, Karen Wheeler fighting Demogorgons).
- Perceived sidelining of male characters.
- General issues like pacing, filler dialogue, and repetitive plots.
Conservative outlets (e.g., Fox News, Daily Caller, Cosmic Book News) and social media users amplified claims of Netflix pushing an LGBTQ+ agenda, with some calling it "woke cringe" that ruined the series. High 1-star ratings came disproportionately from countries like Saudi Arabia.
Counterarguments and Broader Context
Many fans and defenders noted:
- Will's sexuality has been subtly hinted at since Season 1 (e.g., bullying for being "different," his emotional arcs).
- The scene fits the show's themes of fear, trauma, and acceptance—Vecna exploits personal insecurities, making Will's vulnerability plot-relevant.
- Previous seasons included LGBTQ+ elements (e.g., Robin in Season 3) without similar backlash.
- Some criticism distracts from legitimate issues like bloated runtime or underdeveloped stories.
Critics scores remained higher (around 84%), praising performances and production, while audience reactions polarized along cultural lines.
The series finale ("The Rightside Up") dropped on December 31, 2025 (New Year's Eve), potentially resolving some debates. Overall, the backlash echoes patterns seen in other shows (e.g., The Last of Us), where explicit queer representation in popular media triggers organized negative reviews, though opinions vary on whether it's purely homophobic or tied to execution/timing. The show ends a cultural phenomenon amid divided fan sentiment.
