Stranger Things 4 has been the topic of conversation for many since its release, and some people have been expressing their disappointment over Noah Schnapp’s character Will’s sexuality.
Schnapp’s character Will Byers is in love with his best friend Mike Wheeler, however, Mike happens to be in love with Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown). In the 4th season, the two friends’ conversations are mostly about Eleven, but it’s evident that Will is actually referring to his feelings for Mike.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Cd6FSxvsZJu/?hl=en
After the release of Volume 1, many were desperately curious about Will’s sexuality, and although it was heavily alluded in Volume 2, it was still not directly confirmed, which disappointed some fans.
In a now deleted video on TikTok, the caption reads, “Incredibly disappointing that this is the route they decided to take with Will’s sexuality. It’s just so vile that everything has to be a metaphor?? I’m so tired of vague coming out scenes in media that simply should’ve had confirmation to begin with. Will deserved to have his coming out scene with Jonathan. Will deserved to explain his painting to Mike without it being twisted into some sort of plot device for a straight couple.”
And to that, Schnapp responded, “First of all, it’s the 80s and the kid’s a FRESHMAN in [high school]. Let them slowly develop the plot and when he does come out, it will be really special and real.”
https://twitter.com/willeIfilms/status/1542925591002890240?s=20&t=2Ua-jcI31mwYmcDG82y5ng
Thoughts?
Source: popbuzz.com
I came out in 1964 in my junior year of high school.
The teasing was hurtful at first, then when I responded with retorts that challenged & “invited” them, it decreased.
Some of those who teased me became friends. Some became sexual partners on the “down low”, as the kids say today.
It took the better part of a month, but then it was smooth sailing.
I was kid in the 80’s, a teenager in the 90’s. NOBODY was coming out in middle or high school back then. Gay people were opening ridiculed by everyone. “Faggot” was part of everyday speech. Mid- to late 90’s it started to get better. (After people like Elton John and Ellen Degeneres came out.) In that context, I thought they handled Will’s sexuality perfectly. A ninth grader could/would never tell his best friend he was in love with him, for fear of ridicule, or losing that friend. Public ostracism was real. A good friend of mine from high school had to switch schools because of the ridicule and bullying he experienced in 8th grade when people found out he was gay.
Wow! I remember the 80’s. I came out in 1981 at age 29. Pre-AIDS and in a major US city the early 80’s were an incredibly fun time. Why age 29? Even after Stonewall in 1969 much of America was violently homophobic. Not alway able to pass I took a lot of abuse. But, by the end of my 20’s my self confidence and self respect had grown to a place where I didn’t care who knew and if someone was abusive I let them know that there was a ‘firm fist on my limp wrist.’
I agree with his statement about the 80s but in my opinion I wish they would have started his coming out last season 3 then fully out in 4 then in 5 a flourishing gay man.
I like how they approached this. In the 80’s and 90’s it wasn’t so easy to “come out” I can identify with the internal struggle he is going through. I feel it’s important for young people today to understand that times have changed and that the would wasn’t always as excepting.
“Coming out” wasn’t even an option to some. Especially being raised by ultra-conservative high-on-Christ parents living in the Bible belt’s buckle. And even though times have changed and attitudes of a lot of people have changed as well, my parents were absent from my gay wedding just 7 years ago. But enough of this pity party, I can relate to Will’s struggle with being honest and true to himself about being in love with a straight friend. I’ve been there and his portrayal of those feelings is truly monumental.
I remember the 80s AIDS crisis and all the propaganda about the gay disease. Living in a small town I was very careful not to say anything for fear of being disowned of beaten to a pulp.
Kids nowadays don’t understand what it was and still is like for some people.
Fortunately I got older and didn’t care what the rest of the world thought. Opinions are like asses, everyone has one!