Stranger Things' creators speak out against backlash to Will's emotional scene that took 12 hours to film

Warning: This article contains spoilers for Stranger Things Season 5 Volume 2

The Duffer brothers have responded to criticism from Stranger Things fans after one particular scene in the final season caused controversy.

Following the release of the Netflix show's finale on New Year's Eve/Day (depending on where you were in the world), fans were split over how the creators chose to end it, almost 10 years since the pilot.

Episodes for the show's fifth and final season were released sporadically from Thanksgiving onwards, though as we approached the climax of the series, opinions started to fly around online.

Questions around the final episode alone were overwhelming but there was one point many fans focused on from earlier in the season, and it was all to do with Will Byers (Noah Schnapp).

The actor revealed that it took over 12 hours to film the scene where his character comes out to loved ones in one of the more emotional scenes of the series.

Will figures out after discovering his powers that the only way to free himself from Vecna's grip is to confront his darkest secrets, which involved opening up about who he really is.

The character then comes out as gay to a group of his friends and family as he said: “But the truth is, I am different. I don’t like girls. I mean, I do. Just not like you guys do.”

While the actor said it was important that Stranger Things creators Matt and Ross Duffer nailed the scene, due to its importance to him, the brothers have remained quiet about it - until now.

The Duffer brothers have since spoken about the controversial ending, which saw the gang defeat Vecna and Eleven seemingly sacrifice herself for the gang.

Speaking to Variety recently, Ross Duffer opened up on the emotional scene with Will, saying that Schnapp 'gave a really brave, very vulnerable performance'.

Fans questioned why so many characters were present for the initimate scene (Netflix)

Matt admitted that they were surprised by the backlash, explaining: “Because it is, as Ross said, something we’ve been building for a really long time. I always say, Ross and I are many things, but subtle is not one of those things!”

The episode where Will comes out, titled 'The Bridge', has contributed to the lowest rated season on Rotten Tomatoes at just 56 percent, in comparison to scores in the 80s and 90s in the past.

Fans were not happy, as one said on social media: “In what universe is a gay kid in a red state in the 1980s coming out to a room of 15 people, some of which he barely knows?”

Another wrote: “The Will coming out scene may be the worst in the entirety of ST. Making that the most important plot point for the penultimate episode of the show is such a waste. Plus it was super cringy too. A hard watch.”

A third pointed out: “A lot of unrealistic things happen in stranger things but I think the most unrealistic thing is him coming out FOR THE FIRST TIME to a group of 30 people all at once by the way.”

The Duffer brothers were surprised by backlash from the fanbase (Netflix)

Some even pointed out that characters such as Murray, Vickie and Kali being there was a bit random in such a powerful moment.

That's not to say that all fans of the show were disappointed, with some praising the scene and celebrating the power it brought to the character.

Matt Duffer said that in 'many ways', Will is 'the key to defeating Vecna' and that by being brave enough to come out, it is 'the ultimate f–k you to Vecna'.