Since we’re all still talking about the Stranger Things Season 5 finale, it’s no surprise that Netflix released a behind-the-scenes documentary, One Last Adventure: The Making of Stranger Things 5, on Jan. 12th, 2026. Although many believed the fan theory “Conformity Gate” and thought that a secret ninth episode would be released on this date, that wasn’t the case. There’s no question that there’s so much to unpack, from where we think Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) is to the final emotional scene in the basement.
Sure, the Duffer Brothers answered some questions about Eleven, Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower), and the themes of the series finale. But, considering the epic scale of the last eight episodes, it’s no wonder that there was more to the story. As it turns out, The Making of Stranger Things 5 documentary had some wild reveals, which fans are still discussing. So, grab a hot cup of coffee (or some tea), get comfortable, and let’s talk about it.
Fans Are Shocked the Duffer Brothers Wrote ‘Stranger Things’ Season 5 in Google Docs
We assumed that the Stranger Things Season 5 documentary would share some of Matt and Ross Duffer’s creative process, and it definitely did… just not the way that viewers expected. When many think about writers hard at work, they picture scraps of paper with scribbled down ideas, or maybe an intense white board with potential storylines and character arcs. But the documentary showed us that the Duffer Brothers wrote Stranger Things Season 5… in Google Docs.
Understandably, fans had some thoughts about this. As X user @unllikelyjane pointed out, it would have made sense to write the season in some “secret exclusive writing software.” At the very least, many would think that they would write the final season of Stranger Things in a Word document, not a program that is hosted online. Yes, Google Docs can be helpful when collaborating with others since everyone can make changes and share ideas, but this was an important season of television.
Matt Duffer Made a Joke About Killing Characters in ‘Stranger Things’ Season 5
Before the last episode arrived on Netflix, fans shared passionate opinions about whether some major Stranger Things characters should die. Although the Duffer Brothers compared the show to Game of Thrones and said beforehand that this wouldn’t happen, many still thought that at least one main character should be killed.
Redditor @StarforgeVoyager mentioned one notable moment in The Making Of documentary: Matt joking, “We probably should have killed some of you off. Millie was right.” The fan wrote, “really??” It makes sense that the Duffers would discuss this since it’s such a big conversation topic. However, if fans were happier with the finale, and felt that it gave them what they wanted, then maybe would have reacted more positively to this statement. But, since many think that the ending needed a powerful and dramatic death, many didn’t enjoy hearing Matt’s comment.
Fans Wonder if the Duffer Brothers Used ChatGPT for ‘Stranger Things’ Season 5
Okay, let’s talk about the wildest revelation from the Stranger Things Season 5 documentary: fans are asking if the Duffer Brothers use ChatGPT when writing the final season. Fans noticed that Matt and Ross Duffer had Reddit and ChatGPT open on their computers in the documentary, which, naturally, led to some chatter.
While it’s unclear if this is true or not, many can likely agree that it would be terrible and disappointing if it were. Considering the controversy surrounding the desire some have to use AI in creative industries, and the fact that AI hasn’t taken off in Hollywood as some predicted, this wouldn’t look good for the Duffer Brothers. Why would the creators and showrunners of a popular TV series use ChatGPT? Since they’ve said in many interviews that this was the story they wanted to tell, fans would hope they would write it from the heart, not using AI. Again, no one knows why they had ChatGPT tabs open, but it makes sense that fans don’t want it to be the case. No one wants to hear that they used ChatGPT for plot ideas, character arcs, or dialogue.
The Duffer Brothers Didn’t Write the ‘Stranger Things’ Season 5 Finale Episode Before Filming
Another surprising moment from The Making of Stranger Things 5 is when the Duffer Brothers explained they didn’t write the series finale prior to filming. Matt said:
“We went into production without having a finished script for the finale. That was scary because we wanted to get it right. It was the most important script of the season.”
The Duffers discussed the pressure of writing the Stranger Things series finale, and Matt said, “How do you meet those expectations but surprise the audience still?” Fans are understandably shocked by this and think that the Duffers should have wrapped up the script before they started filming all eight episodes. It’s easy to see it from that POV. When you’re making the finale of one of the most beloved shows in the history of television, and the budget was reportedly $400-$480 million, according to Puck News (via Forbes), wouldn’t you want everything to be organized and lined up?
On the other hand, though, the Duffers told Deadline that they came up with Eleven’s ending when Stranger Things was going to be a limited series. So, although it might sound strange (no pun intended) that they didn’t write the finale script until they were already filming, is that really such a big deal? They knew where the story was headed, and they wanted to make sure they crafted the right script.
Of course, different people will react to this reveal depending on what they think about the finale. If you liked it, you think the Duffers were right to take their time. If you think it has problems, you might be wondering why they didn’t fix all the issues if they worked on it for so long.
Maya Hawke Noticed a Robin/Vickie Plot Hole
One of the most thrilling moments from the fifth and final season is the laundry room scene featuring Demodogs and Robin Buckley (Maya Hawke), Max Mayfield (Sadie Sink), Lucas Sinclair (Caleb McLaughlin), and Vickie (AmyBeth McNulty). As @Owl_Resident pointed out, Hawke told director Shawn Levy that perhaps there should be some explanation that Vickie and Robin were together. She said, “no one knows that we’re dating, including Caleb.”
Fans have mentioned some Stranger Things plot holes, including why Joyce Byers (Winona Ryder) doesn’t say that she and Henry Creel went to high school together. It’s definitely surprising to hear that no one seemed to realize that more characters didn’t know about Robin and Vickie’s relationship. Moments like this can take you out of the story and make you wonder why certain details were missed, so it makes sense that some viewers were surprised to hear about it.
One Writer Wanted More Demogorgons in the ‘Stranger Things’ Season 5 Abyss Scene
Paul Dichter, a Stranger Things writer, said, “There have to be some monsters in the Abyss.” Redditor @Defiant-Raspberry-52 said that Dichter “predicted what we were all thinking watching the finale.” Since Dichter wrote Season 5, Episode 4, “Sorcerer,” which is one of the more memorable episodes thanks to that big reveal that Will Byers (Noah Schnapp) has powers, it’s interesting to hear his perspective on the last episode.
Even fans who liked the finale likely agree that the final battle against Vecna leaves something to be desired. The Duffer Brothers said in the documentary that viewers have “demo fatigue,” but that’s definitely not true. If more Demogorgons had appeared in the Abyss, it’s unlikely that everyone would have been thrilled with the Season 5 finale. Still, it’s easy to understand why many were disappointed by the lack of monsters, and this would have definitely made this important scene as thrilling as it could have been.
- Release Date
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2016 – 2025-00-00
- Network
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Netflix
