A cast member from the global Netflix phenomenon Stranger Things has been forced to publicly quash persistent online rumours about a 'secret episode' or altered footage, as a fan petition on the matter amasses hundreds of thousands of signatures.
Fan Backlash and a Viral Petition
The controversy erupted following the release of Season 5, Volume 2 on Boxing Day (26 December). While setting the stage for the grand finale scheduled for New Year's Day (1 January), this batch of episodes left a segment of the fanbase dissatisfied. Complaints ranged from a perceived lack of major plot developments to confusion over specific character moments, notably involving a beloved couple, which prompted clarifications from the show's writers.
Amid this climate of discontent, an anonymous online document began circulating, alleging that the released episodes had been 'tampered with'. This theory quickly gained momentum, culminating in a Change.org petition demanding the release of 'unseen footage'. The petition's creator argues that significant scenes featuring favourite characters must have been cut, stating: "This has been a long 10 years process and this is what we get."
As of Monday morning, 29 December 2025, the petition had been signed by a staggering 280,000 people. One supporter lamented, "We did not wait YEARS for a cut, sloppy season," while another claimed the season felt "soulless" and that fans deserved to see the true ending.
Official Response from Hawkins
Randy Havens, who portrays the beloved Hawkins Middle School teacher Scott Clarke, directly addressed the growing speculation on his Instagram story. In a clear reference to the fan-led campaign that resulted in Zack Snyder's Justice League, Havens retorted: "There is no Snyder Cut of the show, please don't believe everything some random a** tells you on the internet."
His statement serves as a firm denial from within the show's production, aiming to dispel the burgeoning myth that an alternative version of the season exists. The reference to the 'Snyder Cut' is pointed, alluding to the 2021 director's cut of the Justice League film, which was released after years of intense fan campaigning.
The Duffer Brothers' Vision for the Finale
This incident occurs as creators Matt and Ross Duffer prepare to conclude their epic saga. They have previously set expectations, emphasising that the finale will not mirror the shocking, high-casualty approach of shows like Game of Thrones. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Matt Duffer stated, "There's not going to be a Red Wedding situation."
He elaborated that while the finale will contain surprises, the goal is a satisfying and inevitable conclusion rather than one designed purely to shock or upset the dedicated audience. This context makes the current fan demand for a radically different version of the penultimate episodes particularly striking.
The situation underscores the intense scrutiny and passionate investment surrounding the conclusion of one of Netflix's flagship series. With the final episode imminent, the production team is clearly navigating the challenge of meeting sky-high fan expectations while staying true to their original creative vision.
