"AI is Lame": Gaten Matarazzo Sounds the Alarm as Stranger Things Finale Approaches

"Even if we did have the capabilities of being the greatest threat to humanity, I don't think any of us really have the gumption to go with it."Gaten Matarazzo, the star of Stranger Things, just shut down the idea that he and his co-stars are taking over the world. Responding to SNL star Jane Wickline’s humorous song from December 13, Matarazzo assured fans that the Hawkins kids are far from being a global menace.

The Real Concern: Why AI Frightens the Hawkins Star

While the SNL skit was a joke, its underlying theme—a critique of Artificial Intelligence—is something Matarazzo takes very seriously. He didn't mince words, calling AI "lame" and expressing fear over its rapid acceleration. For Matarazzo, art isn't art unless it's created by people pulling from shared human experiences. He noted that the goal of AI enthusiasts to make art indistinguishable from human work "scares the shit" out of him.

This stance comes as the industry remains divided. Following the 2023 SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes, AI has been a central point of tension. Even in 2025, major moves like Disney's $1 billion deal with OpenAI continue to fuel the debate over job security and creative integrity.

Season 5 Spoilers: The Emotional Weight of a Fistfight

With the series finale set to premiere on December 31 at 8 p.m. ET on Netflix, Matarazzo shared insights into the intense conflict between Dustin and Steve in Season 5, Volume 2. He revealed that during their physical confrontation in the Upside Down, Joe Keery (Steve) never actually swings at him. "Everything he does is to get me away from him," Matarazzo explained, highlighting the character's composure even under extreme grief and tension.