This ‘Stranger Things’ Episode Just Became One of the Lowest-Rated in the Show’s History

The latest episodes of Stranger Things season 5 have sparked strong reactions from fans. Volume 2 dropped on Netflix on Christmas Day and includes three episodes that move the story closer to the final battle with Vecna. One of those episodes has now made franchise history, but not in a good way.

Episode 7, titled “The Bridge,” has become the second-lowest-rated episode of Stranger Things so far.

According to Rotten Tomatoes, it holds an 84% critic score and a 73% audience score. That places it just above season 2’s “The Lost Sister,” which remains the lowest-rated episode of the series. Ratings data comes from Rotten Tomatoes, based on critic reviews and more than 2,500 audience ratings for the season overall.

A big talking point from the episode was the sudden split between Nancy Wheeler and Jonathan Byers. Many viewers felt the breakup was unclear or rushed.

Some fans even questioned whether it truly happened. One viewer commented online, “Yeah, Natalia and Charlie didn’t seem to know that Jancy broke up in that scene. They didn’t mention a breakup, so I’m not taking it too seriously until I see the epilogue.” The Duffer Brothers later confirmed that the characters are officially broken up.

Another moment that drew attention was Will Byers’ emotional confession in the episode. While some praised the scene for its honesty, others criticized it heavily. One social media user reacted harshly, saying, “Trust Netflix to promote the gay agenda, whatever the pricetag. They’ve destroyed Stranger Things. What does his being gay have to do with beating Vecna?” The comment sparked debate online, with many fans defending the storyline and the character’s growth.

Despite the mixed reactions, several performances stood out. Sadie Sink continues to receive strong praise for her work as Max, especially in scenes shared with Caleb McLaughlin.

Fans also highlighted the bond between Dustin and Steve as a major emotional anchor this season. One viewer wrote, “Dustin and Steve are my favorite thing about Stranger Things. Just so much complexity and emotion in this storyline, and the acting is incredible. I’m in awe of Gaten and Joe this season.”

So far, Stranger Things season 5 holds an overall score of 84% on the Tomatometer and 65% on the Popcornmeter. With the finale still ahead, some fans worry about how the show will land, especially with comparisons being made to other divisive series endings.

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