Some people are calling this joke on the Stranger Things press tour ‘homophobic’

One moment from the Stranger Things press tour has got people wondering if it was homophobic or not, and we have thoughts.

With the fifth and final season of Stranger Things debuting on Netflix (in the UK) today (Thursday 27 November) the cast and creators have been hard on the press tour, including a stop in London.

As with most TV shows and films these days, that involved an extensive junket process. One outlet that took part is Cosmopolitan who interviewed Noah Schnapp, Caleb McLaughlin, Gaten Matarazzo, and Finn Wolfhard.

During the interview the cast were asked about watching the final episode when McLaughin acts out what he imagines Schnapp’s reaction to the final credits will be.

The act involves McLaughlin raising his voice, putting his hand in front of his mouth in a rather stereotypically effeminate way and saying: “Oh my god!”

Wolfhard adds: “The body language is there,” as Schnapp laughs and says: “That’s not how I cry.” When asked to show how he cries Schnapp does much the same as McLaughlin but without raising his voice.

Schnapp then exaggerates McLaughlin’s impression of him which makes everyone either smile or laugh.

McLaughlin says his own impression was “accurate” and that Schnapp “dumbed it down” in his own recreation of it.

Throughout the whole exchange everyone seems in a good mood and is laughing. So, there’s nothing to say anything between them was taken badly or caused awkwardness.

Am I too woke or that was lwk homophobic!!

— Croals (@Croals_) November 26, 2025

However, people have taken the clip and analysed it with some arguing that it’s “homophobic”. One such person asked on X/Twitter: “Am I too woke or that was [lowkey] homophobic!!”

Another labelled it as a “microaggression” while someone else said the moment “went definitely too far“. Another user said: “Well I mean they are friends so idk,” as to whether it was merely banter between friends or actually homophobic.

Someone else made the point, writing: “Now imagine if Noah imitated Caleb and used a blaccent… then y’all would call it racist. The intersectionality and double standards are so obvious lmao.”

Now, McLaughlin’s impression of Schnapp does rely on homophobic tropes. So, it’s understandable why that’d be uncomfortable for people to watch. But, we can’t speak to the friendship between the group – after all they’ve known each other for 10 years.

And close friendship creates a level of comfort where you can joke freely without offending each other. Schnapp also has yet to comment on the moment himself.

Stranger Things 5 Volume 1 is streaming now on Netflix.

Share your thoughts! Let us know in the comments below, and remember to keep the conversation respectful.