‘Stranger Things 5’ Episode 7 Hit With Massive 1-Star Review Bombing From These 5 Countries After Noah Schnapp’s Coming-Out Moment
A single moment in Stranger Things Season 5 changed how viewers reacted to Episode 7. Soon after the episode dropped, audience scores began to fall fast. Data from audience rating platforms showed a sharp rise in one-star reviews, making this chapter the lowest-rated episode of the season.
The strongest reaction came from outside the U.S. Viewers in Saudi Arabia gave the episode the harshest response, with more than half of all ratings landing at one star.
The U.S., the UK, Brazil, and India also showed a noticeable spike in low scores. According to audience data shared online and reflected on platforms like Rotten Tomatoes, many viewers were reacting to one specific scene rather than the full episode.
Episode 7 received the most 1-star ratings in the following countries:
— Stranger Things Memes (@SThingsMeme) December 28, 2025
Saudi Arabia: 68%
US: 37%
UK: 29%
Brazil: 29%
India: 16% pic.twitter.com/Mdv5oGupav
That scene centered on Will Byers. For years, the show hinted at his feelings but never said anything clearly. Episode 7 changed that.
Will, played by Noah Schnapp, finally spoke openly to his friends and said he doesn’t like girls. He also shared a vision from Vecna, where being honest about who he is leads to distance and loneliness. The moment was quiet and short. It ended with a group hug and no further discussion.
Because the show had avoided clear answers in past seasons, the directness of this scene stood out. For some fans, it felt overdue. For others, it felt sudden. Social media quickly filled with angry posts aimed at Netflix.
One viral comment claimed the show was ruined, writing, “Netflix decided to ruin their most popular show by focusing the final season on Will coming out.” Another post complained, “The woke mind virus has infected everything.” These reactions were widely shared and helped fuel the review bombing.
Not all criticism came from outside the LGBTQ+ community. Some queer fans also said the scene felt rushed or poorly handled. Will’s speech about a future where his friends slowly pull away upset some viewers who felt it leaned too much into fear instead of support.
The scene also brought back arguments over the long-running “Byler” theory, which imagined Will and Mike ending up together. The episode confirmed Will once had feelings for Mike, but many fans felt that storyline ended there.
Online comments reflected that frustration. One fan wrote, “After all these years, that’s all we get?” Another said, “That coming out scene was a spit in the face of queer fans.” Others questioned why Will’s feelings were revealed so late and with so little follow-up.
Still, some viewers defended the moment. They said it was an important step for Will and showed quiet courage rather than drama. They also believe his story may not be fully finished yet.
Despite the debate, the numbers tell a clear story. Season 5 is currently the only season of Stranger Things marked as “rotten” by audience scores, sitting around 56 percent on the Popcornmeter with thousands of ratings. The backlash shows how divided the fanbase has become and how one short scene can change the way an entire episode is remembered.
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