Elon Musk Sparks Backlash Over ‘Stranger Things’ Critique

Elon Musk has ignited controversy after publicly criticizing a significant plot twist in the popular Netflix series, Stranger Things. His comments, made shortly after the release of the final episodes of Season 5 on December 25, 2025, have drawn sharp rebukes from devoted fans of the show. The billionaire entrepreneur, known for leading Tesla and SpaceX, expressed his views on X, previously known as Twitter, where they quickly garnered millions of views.

The backlash unfolded as audiences processed the concluding chapters of Stranger Things, which is set to air its series finale on December 31, 2025. A pivotal moment in this season features the character Will Byers, portrayed by Noah Schnapp, coming out as gay to his friends and mother, Joyce Byers. This scene is depicted as heartfelt and focused on themes of acceptance and identity, contrasting with Musk’s perspective that it was “completely unnecessary and forced on audiences who just want to enjoy some basic sci-fi.”

Musk’s comment was in response to a viral post from the X account @Antunes1, which claimed that many fans viewed the storyline as extraneous to the overall plot. The post has been viewed over four million times. Following Musk’s remarks, fans rallied to defend the show, emphasizing its rich narrative and character development. One user bluntly stated, “Elon Musk is deada– trying to criticize Stranger Things??? Who invited him???”

Critics of Musk’s view argued that all storylines are inherently crafted by writers and that his remarks reflected a misunderstanding of the series’ deeper themes. Some responses also questioned why Musk, a billionaire known for his tech ventures, would critique a show centered around themes of otherness and acceptance. Not all viewers sided with the show’s defenders. A number of social media users supported Musk’s stance, with one account, Objective Truth, stating, “Honestly, no one cares anymore. Be into whatever you want. What was weird was that they decided to make the fate of the world hinge on this guy coming out. Lame.”

The debate surrounding Will Byers’ coming out has been contentious among viewers. Supporters argue that the storyline is a culmination of years of narrative groundwork laid throughout the series. Critics, however, contend that it detracts from the show’s focus on science fiction and horror. Musk’s intervention has intensified this discussion, transforming a plot analysis into a broader cultural conversation.

Long before Season 5, fans had speculated about Will Byers’ sexuality, with early development materials for the series, originally titled Montauk, suggesting he grappled with “sexual identity issues.” Throughout the show, there have been clues hinting at his sexuality, such as instances of bullying and homophobic slurs directed at him. In Season 1, Will faces repeated harassment, while in Season 2, his mother recalls his “rainbow spaceship” drawing, subtly indicating his struggles with identity.

As Stranger Things approaches its conclusion after nearly a decade, the reactions to Musk’s critique illustrate how deeply viewers are invested in the series and its characters. The polarized opinions reflect broader societal changes and ongoing discussions about representation in media. With its finale approaching, the show continues to spark conversations that resonate well beyond its fictional world.