The ‘Stranger Things’ Documentary Maker Weighs in on That ChatGPT Controversy

One Last Adventure: The Making of Stranger Things 5 hit Netflix earlier this week, and as it’s become clear that there’s no secret ninth episode coming—as intense internet speculation had suggested—disappointed fans have instead turned to scrutinizing the documentary for answers, clarity, and fuel for more speculation. And, well, “Conformity Gate” can step aside, because “ChatGPT Gate” is the hot new topic.

The controversy comes because eagle-eyed viewers spotted what appear to be ChatGPT tabs visible on a computer being used by one of the Duffer Brothers. As part of One Last Adventure‘s behind-the-scenes access, viewers see what it was like in the Stranger Things writers’ room as the team, including the Duffers, frantically tries to complete the script for episode eight, “The Rightside Up,” under pressure from Netflix and the show’s production team.

Speaking to One Last Adventure director Martina Radwan, the Hollywood Reporter asked outright if she ever saw generative AI being used by the show’s writers. Her first response: “I mean, are we even sure they had ChatGPT open?”

She then added, “Well, there’s a lot of chatter where [social media users] are like, ‘We don’t really know, but we’re assuming.’ But to me it’s like, doesn’t everybody have it open, to just do quick research?”

(The answer is no, but we digress.)

However, there’s a difference between “research” and “writing a script,” which Radwan pointed out. “How can you possibly write a storyline with 19 characters and use ChatGPT, I don’t even understand.”

She continued. “Again, first of all, nobody has actually proved that it was open. That’s like having your iPhone next to your computer while you’re writing a story. We just use these tools … while multitasking. So there’s a lot going on all the time, every time. What I find heartbreaking is everybody loves the show, and suddenly we need to pick it apart.”

Radwan—who spent a full year enmeshed in Stranger Things—confirmed that she never saw generative AI being used unethically by the show’s writers.

“No, of course not. I witnessed creative exchanges. I witnessed conversation. People think ‘writers room’ means people are sitting there writing. No, it’s a creative exchange. It’s story development,” she said, “and, of course, you go places in your creative mind and then you come back [to the script]. I think being in the writers room is such a privilege and such a gift to be able to witness that.”

Radwan addressed a few other eyebrow-raising scenes captured in One Last Adventure and also responded to “Conformity Gate,” so definitely head to THR to read the whole piece.

io9 reached out to Netflix for comment or clarity on whether or not that’s actually ChatGPT viewers have spotted in the documentary, as well as the allegations that generative AI was used as part of the Stranger Things writing process. We will update this post should we hear back.

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