Stranger Things’ Noah Schnapp says Will’s coming out story is not ‘one-note’

Noah Schnapp has discussed bringing his own coming out journey as a gay man into his character development in Stranger Things, especially in the cliffhanger to the final season’s first half.

Warning! Spoiler alert for Stranger Things 5 Volume 1, episode 4.

The final season of the sci-fi horror series sees our heroes reunite as Hawkins is both under quarantine from the US military and under attack from the forces of the Upside Down due to the events of the season four finale.

The action gets underway quickly in the new season, which first picks up with Will’s (Schnapp) first experience in the Upside Down from season one. There we see Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower) capture Will and promise “you and I, we are going to do such beautiful things together” as he transfers elements of his world into the young boy.

Since then Will has had a unique connection with Vecna and the Upside Down that has at times aided and hurt the central characters.

It’s a link that is revisited in the final moments of the fifth season’s first half when Will saves his friends from being eaten by Demagorgons using previously teased but unexplored powers much like Eleven’s (Millie Bobby Brown).

The moment also plays into and mirrors Will’s coming out story in the series. Speaking to Entertainment Weekly about the “whiplash” reveal, Schnapp discussed bringing is own experiences, coming out in 2023, into the story.

“It wasn’t just like a one-note coming-out story. It was complex, wrapped up in this internal struggle of an external world that we’re fighting,” he told the outlet.

“To overcome this external force, he has to accept his internal struggle. It was kind of like an interwoven superhero coming-out story.”

The moment works like an analogy for what it can be like for queer people to express their full potential by being able to embrace themselves fully.

Matt Duffer, one of the sibling duo that created Stranger Things along with his brother, Ross, also explained “we’ve been trying to lay the groundwork for years” on the reveal.

He also said that in regard to Will’s powers: “He doesn’t really have powers himself. He’s channeling Vecna’s powers.” He added that the connection Will’s had with Vecna since season one means he can “tap into and use these powers if he’s in close enough proximity”.

Schnapp has previously discussed how Will’s sexuality will play a part of the new season. Will’s homosexuality was confirmed in season four when he indicated his secret love for Mike (Finn Wolfhard).

“Seeing how the world receives Will, and embraces him, has taught me through the years to feel OK in who I am and how I express myself,” Schnapp said about art imitating life. 

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.