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Stranger Things Season 5 has fans talking for all the wrong reasons, and one line from Reddit sums it up.
@Recent_Employment_28 posted a thread on the Stranger Things subreddit, titled:
“The way they nerfed Eleven this season.”
This seemed to be the consensus as viewers questioned how the show handled its most important character. Across Reddit threads, longtime fans argue that Eleven feels weaker, quieter, and oddly pushed aside.
So, did Stranger Things Season 5 really "nerf" Eleven? According to fan reactions, many believe it did, and in ways that feel hard to ignore.
Why fans felt Eleven lost her emotional core in Stranger Things Season 5
A considerable part of the backlash around Stranger Things Season 5 comes from how fans feel Eleven reacts to key emotional moments. Reddit users point out that her responses feel strangely flat compared to earlier seasons.
@HereComesRagnorak wrote,
“El literally sobbed when she couldn’t save Max from Vecna at the end of the last season, upon finding out Max is alive, all that she could say was ‘You’re alive!’ be so fr. At least a hug is warranted?”
And for sure, this scene did become a major talking point.
Others quickly agreed. @GhibliFan96 replied,
“This. El was the one who kept looking for Max many times. Her reaction to seeing Max again is so dry. Especially since she doesn't know anything yet about Max being in a trance.”
For fans, this was not a small miss. Eleven and Max’s bond was a major emotional anchor in past seasons, especially Season 3 and Season 4.
@avviann added:
“Agree with all of it. Was so surprised to see El being sidelined and distant with everyone, especially Mike. The way how she didn't come jumping to hug Max after she woke up was also very uncharacteristic.”
These comments reflect a shared feeling that Stranger Things Season 5 pulls Eleven away from the heart of the group, making her feel emotionally disconnected in moments where fans expected warmth.
Power scaling complaints and the “nerfed” debate
Beyond emotions, many fans believe Stranger Things Season 5 weakens Eleven in a very literal way. Power scaling has become one of the loudest complaints online. @Recent_Employment_28 said it plainly with, “The way they nerfed Eleven this season,” a quote that now shows up across multiple threads.
@AstroCoffee broke it down further:
“Yeah, it's a shame. They've absolutely massacred her character. Somehow she and Hopper are STILL bickering about things they'd resolved in S2, she's suddenly struggling to turn a truck over for no reason after bringing down a damn chopper in S4 and has been pretty much sidelined.”
For fans, this shift feels confusing rather than earned.
Several Redditors pointed out that Eleven had an entire arc about regaining and training her abilities. Seeing her struggle with basic tasks after past feats makes Stranger Things Season 5 feel inconsistent. Fans expected her to be stronger than ever heading into the final stretch, not stuck fighting limits that seemed long gone.
This power drop is why many fans use the word “nerfed.” It is not just about losing fights. It is about losing momentum at the exact moment the story should be raising the stakes for her.
Fans react to Will’s rise and Eleven’s & Max's friendship absence
Another common theme in Stranger Things Season 5 discussions is how much focus shifts to Will. Some fans like Will’s expanded role but still feel it comes at Eleven’s expense.
@nymerisw commented,
“Pretty much the only female friendship in the show and they shafted for will/max who never interacted before.”
This speaks to frustration over where the story chooses to spend its time.
Other posts go further, saying Eleven feels like a background character. One fan wrote that the season feels like “they decided to hand her entire role over to Will and then just sidelined her into a corner.” Another added that Eleven is used more as a tool than a person, saying the constant tone of “just eat your junk food and get to work” feels dehumanizing.
Fans also questioned why Will now handles moments that once defined Eleven. Scenes involving psychic power, emotional breakthroughs, and direct impact on Vecna increasingly belong to him.
For many fans, Stranger Things Season 5 creates the feeling that Eleven’s long build-up is paused right before the finish line.
Fan reaction makes one thing clear: Stranger Things Season 5 has sparked serious debate about the way Eleven's character was treated. From muted emotional beats to weaker powers and reduced focus, many fans feel the show pulled back on the character who once carried it.
While opinions differ on the overall season, Reddit discussions show a shared sense of disappointment. For fans, the concern is not just about strength, but whether Eleven still feels like the heart of the story as it heads toward the end.
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Also Read: The biggest Stranger Things Season 5 finale theories and clues that might shape the ending, explored
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