Netflix is facing a major fan revolt as the final season of its flagship sci-fi series, Stranger Things, draws to a close. In a dramatic show of force, more than 300,000 viewers have signed a petition demanding the release of what they claim is 'unseen footage' cut from the show's climactic episodes.
The Rise of 'Cutgate' and Fan Fury
The controversy, dubbed 'Cutgate' on social media, erupted shortly after the second volume of Season 5 dropped on Boxing Day. Fans took to platforms like Change.org, alleging that pivotal scenes had been edited out, leaving the story feeling rushed or incomplete. The petition organiser, Wennii J, argued that the decade-long journey for fans deserved a more comprehensive finale.
"I believe [there] was more to the episodes, and we didn't see [the deleted scenes] either due to Netflix or the team of Stranger Things cutting them," the petition states. "This has been a long, 10 year-process, and this is what we get."
What Are Fans Claiming?
Discontent appears to stem from several areas. Some viewers complain of a lack of major character development, while others point to confusing narrative choices. A key moment of confusion was a scene between Jonathan and Nancy, which the Duffer brothers later clarified was actually a breakup, not a proposal.
Furthermore, fans are circulating a Google document that supposedly details entire plot lines and character arcs that were altered or removed during filming. They also cite evidence such as inconsistent cast interviews and discrepancies between originally reported and final episode runtimes.
Official Responses and Industry Insight
So far, Netflix has not substantiated the claims of major cuts. However, a cast member has publicly addressed the rumours. Randy Havens, who plays teacher Scott Clarke, took to Instagram to dismiss the speculation, stating plainly: "There is no Snyder Cut of the show, please don't believe everything some random a** tells you on the internet."
The Duffer brothers have historically spoken about the difficulty of editing the dense series, though they have not commented directly on the 'Cutgate' allegations. The petition reflects a broader trend in modern fandom, where audiences, empowered by social media, seek greater influence over beloved stories, as seen with past finales like Game of Thrones.
As the series finale airs on New Year's Day, the petition continues to gather signatures, highlighting the passionate and sometimes fraught relationship between creators and their audience in the streaming age.
