“The Bridge,” Episode seven of Stranger Things Season five Volume two, has emerged as one of the lowest rated installments in the series’ history, highlighting a growing divide among fans as Netflix moves closer to the show’s conclusion.
Released on Christmas Day alongside two other episodes, the chapter advanced the storyline toward the long awaited Vecna confrontation but drew criticism for its narrative choices and pacing.
According to aggregated ratings, The Bridge Stranger Things episode earned an eighty four percent critic score and a seventy three percent audience score, placing it second lowest overall, above only Season two’s “The Lost Sister.”
Season five Volume two marked a pivotal phase for the science fiction drama created by the Duffer Brothers.
The episodes featured several major developments, including the confirmed breakup of Nancy Wheeler and Jonathan Byers and a hospital reunion involving Lucas Sinclair and Max Mayfield, set to the nostalgic song “The Never Ending Story.”
The Duffer Brothers later clarified in interviews that Nancy and Jonathan were definitively no longer together, a revelation that surprised some viewers who said the change felt abrupt.
The split became one of several moments that fueled debate around The Bridge Stranger Things episode.
Television analyst Maria Collins of the Media Narrative Institute said the reaction reflected the challenges of concluding a long running series.
“Final seasons carry heightened expectations,” Collins said. “When emotional revelations take precedence over plot acceleration, some audiences feel the momentum slows, even if the character work is intentional.”
Will Byers’ emotional confession in the episode drew both praise and criticism. While many welcomed the moment as authentic character development, others argued it detracted from the urgency of the Vecna storyline.
Netflix declined to comment on the ratings but has previously emphasized its commitment to character driven storytelling.
Historically, Stranger Things episodes have maintained strong audience scores, often exceeding eighty percent.
By comparison, “The Lost Sister” remains the lowest rated episode at six point zero on several platforms.
Despite its standing, The Bridge Stranger Things episode outperformed early-season averages for many comparable genre series, according to streaming data firm ViewMetrics.
“Even the lowest rated Stranger Things episodes outperform much of the competition,” ViewMetrics analyst Aaron Patel said.
Fan response on social media reflected a wide range of views. Some praised performances, particularly Sadie Sink’s portrayal of Max and her scenes with Caleb McLaughlin.
“I thought the acting carried the episode,” said Hannah Lee, a longtime viewer from Seattle. “Sadie Sink was phenomenal, and the emotional weight felt earned.”
Others focused on the dynamic between Dustin Henderson and Steve Harrington, which remained a highlight for many.
“Dustin and Steve are still the heart of the show,” said Marcus Alvarez, a fan from Austin. “Their scenes had depth, even if the pacing felt uneven.”
With only a limited number of episodes remaining, expectations remain high for how the series will resolve its central conflict.
Industry observers expect viewership to remain strong despite mixed reactions to The Bridge Stranger Things episode.
Netflix has confirmed that the final episodes will focus heavily on the Vecna showdown and the characters’ long term fates.
“The Bridge” underscores the complexities of concluding a cultural phenomenon like Stranger Things.
While its ratings place it among the series’ lowest, the episode continues to generate discussion, reflecting both the passion of its audience and the narrative risks taken in the final season.
