The creators of Stranger Things, Matt and Ross Duffer, have admitted they started shooting the final episode of the beloved Netflix sci‑fi series without a finished script — a candid behind‑the‑scenes revelation that has energized fans both positively and negatively.
In the newly released documentary One Last Adventure: The Making of Stranger Things 5, the Duffers describe how intense time pressures and the scale of the production forced them to begin filming the climactic eighth episode even as the script was still being written. Matt Duffer described the experience as “scary,” particularly given the high stakes of concluding a decade‑long story that defined a generation of TV viewers. According to the documentary, the script was only finalized at the very last minute before formal table reads.
This glimpse into the creative process has divided the show’s passionate fanbase. Some viewers appreciate the transparency and behind‑the‑scenes access, while others have expressed frustration that such a crucial episode wasn’t fully scripted before production began. In social media circles, debates have erupted over what the disclosures say about the creative direction and overall quality of the finale.
Adding fuel to the conversation, a resurfacing fan theory suggests that one of the showrunners might be anonymously engaging with fans on Reddit to discuss or tease the ending, though these claims remain speculative and unconfirmed.
The documentary’s release was intended to serve as a celebratory wrap on Stranger Things after it ended its five‑season run, but for some fans the revelations have complicated the narrative around the show’s conclusion. Rather than purely nostalgic reflections, many viewers are now dissecting every production choice and storytelling decision in search of explanations for a finale that divided opinion.