Did Duffer Brothers Use ChatGPT to Write 'Stranger Things' Season 5? Rumours, Outrage, and Fans' Hate Explained

Published 01/13/2026, 1:34 AM EST

If One Last Adventure: The Making of Stranger Things 5 proves anything, it is that the conversation around the series is not dying down anytime soon. Throughout the run of Season 5, the show received heavy criticism over its plots, twists, and long-awaited revelations. The documentary was meant to give a glimpse into how this much-criticized season came together and show the Duffer Brothers’ efforts, but it also appears to have sparked yet another rumor.

As the Duffer Brothers, Matt and Ross, find themselves dragged into another wrong rumor, here is how it began, and whether there is any truth to it.

The Duffer brothers are accused of using ChatGPT for writing Season 5 of Stranger Things

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Released on January 12, 2026, One Last Adventure: The Making of Stranger Things 5 showed a scene of the brothers working on the script on their laptop. The scene briefly revealed multiple ChatGPT tabs open alongside a Google Doc, which quickly sparked an intense debate over whether Season 5 was written using AI.

However, the tabs may have been used for other reasons, such as research or brainstorming. So, the rumor remains unconfirmed until the Duffer Brothers make an official comment.

Regardless, images from the scene have been constantly circulated on social media, with many sharing their takes on the matter. Several Reddit users explained that these rumors are simply overreactions, while others suggested that the criticism of season 5’s writing, especially the finale episode, might be linked to this.

As for those who are not aware of the criticism, the writing came under fire for taking the punch out of major moments like the Upside Down being revealed as a wormhole, Will’s coming-out scene, and how the rest of the group reacted, among others.

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As fans continue to share their opinions online, the Duffer Brothers also opened up about the pressure they faced while making Season 5 — entering production without a final script.

Production for Season 5 began before final script

In One Last Adventure: The Making of Stranger Things 5, creators Matt and Ross Duffer made a surprising revelation about their script. They shared that they went into production without a finished script for the final episode.

With pressure coming from all sides  — Netflix, the production team, and sky-high fan expectations- the Duffer brothers described the experience as the most stressful writing situation they have ever faced. The finale mattered more than any other episode.

"That was scary because we wanted to get it right. It was the most important script of the season," they said.

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The Duffer brothers shared that they knew the story, but the final details were still being worked out. The writing team spent more time than ever breaking down the last episode, carefully tying up character arcs and debating big questions, including Eleven’s fate. Perhaps this could be the reason why some felt that Season 5 of Stranger Things was not up to par.

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What do you think about the accusations of Duffer Brothers using ChatGPT for writing the Stranger Things finale? Let us know your take in the comments section below.

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Pritha Debroy

118 articles

Pritha Debroy is an Entertainment writer at NetflixJunkie who can seamlessly switch between breaking down an NBA play and obsessing over the latest K-drama twist. She has written over 3,400 NBA and NFL articles, but her true joy lies in diving into Netflix’s trendiest shows—unpacking themes, stories, and yes, the occasional celebrity chaos. When she is not writing, you’ll find her devouring thrillers (anything by Freida McFadden is an instant yes), revisiting comfort classics like 10 Things I Hate About You and 27 Dresses, or hunting for her next binge-worthy series.

Edited By: Itti Mahajan

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