Netflix documentary shows the Duffer brothers on their laptop – fans allegedly discover ChatGPT tab. Did AI co-write the Stranger Things finale?
The year 2026 began with a bang for “Stranger Things” fans: the series finale, which was over two hours long, marked the end of the mystery series that had been running since 2016. Eleven, Mike and their friends said goodbye to Hawkins, leaving many viewers with mixed feelings. For some fans, the final season seems fragmentary, inconsistent and in parts not well thought out. Even speculation about a ninth final episode was heated at times on Instagram and TikTok. Now an accompanying Netflix documentary is causing new controversy.
Netflix documentary fuels speculation
“One Last Adventure: The Making Of Stranger Things 5” provides insights into the making of the final season and raises questions that fans are hotly discussing. One scene in particular, in which the Duffer brothers can be seen on a laptop, fuels speculation. Some users believe that an open tab on the screen shows ChatGPT and suspect that artificial intelligence was used when writing the script.
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Social media is boiling over: Did AI write the script?
A screenshot of the laptop is circulating on X, which supposedly shows the AI tab. Comments below range from “Did the Duffer brothers really use ChatGPT? What the hell?” to “No wonder the finale seems bumpy.” The possible use of AI is also discussed in forums. Critics argue that parts of the season seem flat and unsurprising – a style that some in the fan community associate with AI-generated storytelling.
Duffer brothers remain silent on AI allegations
The official Stranger Things website has not yet released a statement on the allegations. The Duffer brothers themselves only spoke generally in interviews about the writing process and the challenges of bringing an epic series to a conclusion.
Netflix and AI: The example of “Eternauta”
One thing is certain: The debate about AI in the creative process – especially in one of the biggest streaming phenomena of the last decade – is probably just beginning. The Netflix series “Eternauta” sparked discussions as early as the summer of 2025 after co-chief Ted Sarandos publicly announced that the series’ storyline was partly created by an artificial intelligence. “We continue to believe that AI represents an incredible opportunity to help filmmakers make films and series better, not just cheaper,” said the Netflix co-chief executive when announcing quarterly figures in summer 2025. “By using AI-powered tools, they were able to achieve an amazing result at a remarkable speed. In fact, this sequence was completed ten times faster than would have been possible with traditional VFX tools and workflows,” continued Sarandos.
This means that the fears of many filmmakers could soon come true. Whether Netflix also used AI in the production of “Stranger Things” in order to save financial resources for the expensive series remains pure speculation at this point.
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