Netflix’s Stranger Things has been hit by a wave of review bombing following the release of Season 5 Volume 2. The backlash has made the penultimate episode the lowest-rated installment in the series’ history. This marks a significant shift for the sci-fi series, which has enjoyed strong fan support throughout its run.
Stranger Things Season 5 Episode 7 becomes the worst-rated episode
Netflix’s Stranger Things has faced a significant audience backlash following the release of Season 5 Volume 2 on December 25, with the penultimate episode emerging as the lowest-rated installment in the series’ history.
Episode 7, titled “The Bridge,” features a pivotal scene in which Will Byers, played by Noah Schnapp, comes out as gay to his friends. Many Stranger Things fans welcomed the moment and expressed support for the character’s arc. However, others responded negatively, contributing to what appears to be targeted review bombing.
Beyond the reaction to Will’s storyline, fans also expressed broader dissatisfaction with the penultimate episode. Some said the timing of the scene felt misplaced, coming as the Hawkins group was preparing for its confrontation with Vecna. Others criticized the episode’s pacing, writing, and overall structure, continuing criticisms that had already surfaced after Volume 1.
“The Bridge” currently holds a 5.4 out of 10 rating on IMDb, based on more than 107,000 user reviews. By comparison, no other episode in the franchise has fallen below a 7.8, with most episodes scoring between the high 8s and low 9s.
The episode’s reception has had a notable impact on the season’s overall rating. The Rotten Tomatoes audience score for Season 5 has dropped sharply to 56 percent. This marks the lowest fan rating the series has received to date. Earlier seasons were received far more positively, with Season 4 holding an 89 percent audience score, Season 3 at 86 percent, Season 2 at 90 percent, and Season 1 at 96 percent.
Netflix has not publicly commented on the audience response or the episode’s ratings. The series finale of Stranger Things is scheduled to premiere on December 31.
