Stranger Things Doc Filmmaker Responds to AI Script Rumours
Speculation swirls as viewers spot a possible ChatGPT tab in the Stranger Things season 5 documentary. The director weighs in, but the truth behind the Duffer brothers’ writing process remains elusive.
Viewers with a keen eye have been poring over the latest behind-the-scenes look at Stranger Things, and it hasn’t taken long for a new theory to catch fire. The much-anticipated documentary, One Last Adventure: The Making of Stranger Things season 5, offers a glimpse into the creative process of Matt and Ross Duffer as they shape the final chapter. Yet, it’s not the script itself that’s causing a stir, but rather what’s lurking in the background of a seemingly innocuous shot.
In one particular moment, the Duffer brothers are seen working away on a Google Doc, surrounded by a clutter of open browser tabs. Among them, eagle-eyed fans have spotted what appears to be a ChatGPT tab, alongside a Reddit window. The internet, never one to miss a trick, quickly latched onto the possibility that artificial intelligence might have played a hand in the writing of the show’s swansong. “Duffer Brothers really used ChatGPT for this script?” one Twitter user asked, sharing a freeze-frame from the documentary as supposed evidence.
Director Addresses the Speculation
While the Duffer brothers themselves have yet to comment on the matter, the director of the documentary, Martina Radwan, has stepped in to address the growing chatter. In a recent interview, Radwan seemed bemused by the fuss.
“I mean, are we even sure they had ChatGPT open?”
she remarked, pointing out that no one has actually confirmed what was on the screen. For Radwan, the presence of such a tab is hardly unusual.
“But to me it's like, doesn’t everybody have it open, to just do quick research?... That's like having your iPhone next to your computer while you're writing a story.”
Her comments reflect a broader reality: AI tools have become a fixture in many people’s daily routines. According to a study by OpenAI, the chatbot boasted over 800 million weekly active users by the end of 2025. Still, the heart of the debate isn’t whether the Duffers use ChatGPT for the odd bit of research, but whether it was involved in crafting the actual script. On that front, there’s no evidence to support the claim.
Inside the Writers’ Room
Pressed further, Radwan was quick to dismiss the notion that generative AI could have been responsible for the show’s complex narrative.
“How can you possibly write a storyline with 19 characters and use ChatGPT? I don't even understand.”
she said, expressing scepticism at the idea that such a tool could handle the intricacies of the series’ sprawling cast and interwoven plots.
When asked directly if she had witnessed any questionable use of AI during filming, Radwan was unequivocal.
“No, of course not. I witnessed creative exchanges. I witnessed conversation.”
Her account paints a picture of a traditional writers’ room, full of lively debate and collaboration, rather than one quietly outsourcing its work to a chatbot.
No Evidence, Just Theories
For now, the theory remains just that—a theory. There’s nothing to suggest that the Duffer brothers relied on AI for their scriptwriting duties. The documentary, now streaming, offers plenty of insight into the making of the final season, but on the question of ChatGPT’s involvement, the evidence is thin at best.