Stranger Things Creators Spark Outrage with “Tone-Deaf” Comment: “They Shouldn’t Have Said That”

It has been over a week since the Stranger Things series finale dropped on Netflix, bringing the decade-long saga of Hawkins, Indiana, to a close. While the New Year’s Eve release was meant to be a celebration of one of the biggest shows in streaming history, the aftermath has been anything but festive. The fandom is currently in a state of civil war over the ambiguous ending, and now, a new comment from the show’s creators has poured gasoline on the fire.

The controversy centers on Matt and Ross Duffer, the twin brothers behind the sci-fi phenomenon. In the days following the polarized finale, the brothers participated in several “postmortem” interviews to explain their creative choices, particularly regarding the fates of fan-favorite characters like Eleven and Will Byers. However, the explanations seem to have done more harm than good.

During a recent appearance on the Happy Sad Confused podcast with Josh Horowitz, Matt Duffer expressed regret over engaging with the fanbase’s burning questions so soon after the release. “I really shouldn’t have done any of these postmortem interviews,” Matt admitted, citing exhaustion and illness. “I am not in a good place. Like, why the hell did we do any of them yesterday is beyond me. I’m, like, fried. I was getting over the flu. So, anyone mad at any answers we gave you yesterday, just cut me some slack.”

While the comment was likely intended as a plea for empathy from two exhausted showrunners, it landed poorly with a fanbase that feels emotionally shortchanged. Social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and TikTok immediately lit up with backlash. Fans criticized the “cut me some slack” remark as dismissive, arguing that after ten years of emotional investment and creating a global phenomenon, they deserved more concrete answers than a shrug and a plea for patience.

The frustration is compounded by the “Cutgate” conspiracy theory currently sweeping the internet. A viral petition, which has already garnered hundreds of thousands of signatures, claims that Netflix and the Duffers cut crucial scenes from the finale that would have provided better closure for Will and Mike. When asked about this, the Duffers flatly denied the existence of any “secret” cut footage, further alienating fans who are convinced the ending they saw wasn’t the one originally intended.

Despite the current storm of controversy, it is impossible to deny the cultural impact of Stranger Things. Since premiering in 2016, the series has been a cornerstone of Netflix’s original programming, revitalizing 1980s pop culture and launching the careers of its young cast.

Millie Bobby Brown, who captured hearts as the telekinetic Eleven, has since evolved into a major Hollywood player. Beyond the Upside Down, she has successfully led the Enola Holmes franchise and has several production credits to her name. Similarly, Finn Wolfhard (Mike Wheeler) has branched out into music and directing, while Noah Schnapp (Will Byers) has become a prominent figure in Gen Z culture. Veterans Winona Ryder and David Harbour also saw career resurgences, with Harbour in particular moving on to join the Marvel Cinematic Universe in Thunderbolts.

While the main saga of Eleven and her friends has concluded (controversially or not), the Stranger Things universe is far from dead. Netflix is already moving forward with plans to expand the IP. The most immediate project is an animated series titled Stranger Things: Tales From ’85, which is slated for release later in 2026. The Duffers have teased that this series will bridge the gap between previous seasons and feature the return of the original voice cast, potentially offering the “missing moments” fans are currently clamoring for.

Additionally, a live-action stage play, The First Shadow, continues to perform well in London’s West End and is expected to transfer to Broadway, exploring the origin story of the villainous Vecna.

For now, however, the focus remains on the turbulent reception of the finale. As the dust settles, it remains to be seen if the Duffer Brothers can win back the goodwill of their most die-hard supporters or if the show’s legacy will be forever tainted by a divisive ending and a few ill-timed words.

We want to hear your take on the finale and the creators’ response—let us know what you think in the comments.