Netflix’s New Horror Hit Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen Sparks Backlash Over Hidden Stranger Things References.
Netflix’s latest horror series, Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen, has quickly gained attention for its chilling atmosphere and glowing early reviews. But alongside the praise, the show has ignited an unexpected wave of anger among Stranger Things fans—thanks to a subtle Easter egg that many viewers spotted almost instantly.
‘SOMETHING VERY BAD IS GOING TO HAPPEN’ is now on Netflix.
The horror series stars Camila Morrone and Adam DiMarco as a bride and groom in the week leading up to their ill-fated nuptials. pic.twitter.com/p3zJjLt42a
— Film Updates (@FilmUpdates) March 26, 2026
A Terrifying New Chapter for the Duffer Brothers
The series marks the first major TV project involving the Duffer Brothers since Stranger Things concluded with a divisive final season. Serving as executive producers, the Duffers teamed up with creator Haley Z. Boston to deliver a psychological horror story that critics have described as “terrifying” and “hysterically scary.”
The plot centers on Rachel, a bride-to-be who becomes consumed by an overwhelming sense of dread in the days leading up to her wedding. As her paranoia intensifies, she becomes convinced that something catastrophic is looming over the ceremony.
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The Scene That Started It All
In episode two, Rachel’s missing wedding dress leads to a misunderstanding involving a young boy named Jude. When his parents confront him, viewers get a glimpse of his bedroom—and that’s where the controversy begins.
Among Jude’s toys are figurines of Mike, Eleven, Will, and the Demogorgon, along with what appears to be a miniature version of Fort Byers. The moment is brief, but unmistakable.
While the scene also includes unrelated toys—such as WWE figures of John Cena and The Undertaker—the visual callback to Stranger Things immediately stirred debate. The setup mirrors the early seasons of Stranger Things, where the Demogorgon was dismissed as a myth despite its terrifying reality.
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Fans React: “They’re Never Letting It Go”
Instead of delighting longtime fans, the Easter egg sparked frustration across social media. Many viewers accused the Duffer Brothers of clinging too tightly to their past success.
Comments included:
- “Jesus Christ, they’re never letting it go, huh.”
- “They’re gonna reference Stranger Things in every single thing they make for the rest of time, aren’t they?”
But the strongest backlash came from the Byler community—fans who hoped for a romantic storyline between Will Byers and Mike Wheeler. Because the two figurines appear placed next to each other, some viewers interpreted the moment as yet another instance of queerbaiting.
One fan wrote: “They’re still queerbaiting us.” Another added: “This is so annoying actually lmao.”
Stranger Things Discourse Lives On
If anyone believed the end of Stranger Things would finally quiet the fandom’s debates, this new controversy proves otherwise. Even a fleeting reference was enough to reignite passionate discussions—and, in some cases, outrage.
With the Duffer Brothers continuing to produce new projects, it seems the shadow of Hawkins may follow them for years to come.