Netflix Sparks Fan Backlash and Boycott Calls Over Emotional Will Byers Scene in ‘Stranger Things’: “Netflix Ruined Will Byers”
Fans of Stranger Things are divided over a major scene in Season 5 Volume 2 that focuses on Will Byers coming out. The episode, Chapter Seven: The Bridge, directed by Shawn Levy, premiered on Netflix on December 25 alongside Chapters Five and Six. In this chapter, Will finally opens up to his friends about his sexuality, a moment the series has been building toward for years.
In the emotional scene, Will admits he hid a part of himself because he didn’t want to be seen as different. He explains that while he shares the same memories, hobbies, and bond with his friends, there was one truth he avoided saying out loud.
Will revealed that he doesn’t like girls the way his friends do and had once had feelings for someone who couldn’t return them. He explained that these feelings were ultimately about learning to accept himself. “I haven’t told any of you this because I didn’t want you to see me as different,” he said. “But the truth is, I am. I am different.”
The scene has sparked strong reactions online, with many fans criticizing Netflix and the show’s direction. Some argue that the scene was unnecessary and detracted from the show’s main plot.
One social media user wrote, “Netflix decided to RUIN their most popular show of all-time, Stranger Things, by focusing their final season on Will coming out as a homosexual, promoting the propaganda that Will’s superpowers are because he’s ‘embraced his s******.’”
Another added, “Stranger Things just blew away everything they built up over the years. Just as everything was coming together, they decided to shove in an entire scene about Will Byers being gay. It had nothing to do with the series and ruined it for many fans.”
Interestingly, some members of the queer community have also expressed frustration. In the scene, Will explains that Vecna showed him a future where his friends reacted with worry instead of rejection, leaving him feeling isolated.
By finally telling the truth, Will hoped to avoid that future. However, the way the scene frames Will’s feelings toward Mike has caused debate, as the speech suggests his crush is unreciprocated. One fan asked, “So Mike could swap spit with some girl that he can’t even tell he loves her? How is that fair after everything Will has been through?”
Other fans focused on the execution rather than the content. “After all these years we get a poorly executed five-minute scene that pulls everything together?” one person wrote. Another simply said, “We trusted you.”
Despite the backlash, a smaller portion of the audience still sees the scene as a meaningful moment for Will’s character development. While it may close the door on certain fan theories, it is also an important step for his personal journey.
On Instagram, where Levy shared a still from the episode, comments were flooded with both criticism and support, highlighting the divided response.
Chapter Seven has now become one of the most controversial episodes in Stranger Things history and one of the lowest rated as well.
While some fans are upset with the handling of Will’s story, others appreciate the honesty and growth it represents.
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