As the beloved sci-fi series Stranger Things approaches its grand finale on New Year's Day, a significant portion of its fanbase is in uproar, sparking a major online controversy dubbed 'Cutgate'.
The Petition and Fan Fury
In the wake of the Season 5, Volume 2 release on Boxing Day, close to 300,000 disgruntled viewers have mobilised online. A petition on Change.org, started by a fan known as Wennii J, has amassed 286,848 signatures at the time of reporting. The petition demands that Netflix and the show's creators, the Duffer Brothers, release alleged 'unseen footage' and deleted scenes from the final season.
The organiser expressed a sentiment felt by many, stating: "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. This has been a long, 10 year-process, and this is what we get." Fans argue that key character arcs and plot lines have been edited out, leaving the conclusion feeling rushed or incomplete.
Evidence and Theories Behind 'Cutgate'
While Netflix has not substantiated claims of major cuts, fans point to several pieces of circumstantial evidence. These include inconsistent cast interviews and discrepancies between originally reported episode runtimes and the final versions that aired. A Google Document has been circulating among the fandom, purportedly detailing entire storylines that were allegedly altered or removed during filming.
The divisive reception was further fuelled by a major revelation about the nature of the Upside Down in Volume 2, which has split viewer opinion. Additional confusion arose around a key character moment, forcing the Duffer Brothers to clarify in an interview with People magazine that a scene between Jonathan and Nancy was indeed a breakup, not a proposal.
Official Responses and the Upcoming Finale
The Duffer Brothers have historically spoken about the difficulty of editing down the series but have remained silent on the specific allegations of 'Cutgate'. However, actor Randy Havens, who plays teacher Scott Clarke, leapt to the show's defence on Instagram. He addressed the rumours directly, stating: "There is no Snyder Cut of the show, please don't believe everything some random a** tells you on the internet."
Despite the controversy, critical reception from outlets like Metro acknowledges the season's impactful moments. TV editor Sabrina Barr noted that while the final volume may not reach the zenith of earlier seasons, its "mind-blowing twist" would certainly leave fans in awe, even as it risks dividing the fandom.
The saga of Hawkins will officially conclude when the Stranger Things finale airs on New Year's Day. Whether the petition will yield any results remains to be seen, but it underscores the passionate, and sometimes fraught, relationship between a global phenomenon and its dedicated audience.
