The highly anticipated final season of Stranger Things has sparked controversy among dedicated viewers, with many directing harsh criticism towards Noah Schnapp's performance as Will Byers.
Netflix released the first four episodes of season five on Thursday, marking the beginning of the end for the beloved supernatural series that has captivated audiences for nearly a decade.
Fans Voice Disappointment on Social Media
Viewers took to X (formerly Twitter) to express their disappointment with Schnapp's acting, which many described as "wooden" and lacking emotional depth. The 21-year-old actor, who has portrayed Will Byers since he was just 11 years old, takes centre stage in the new episodes as his character gains the ability to control villain Vecna's mind to rescue his friends.
Despite these dramatic scenes requiring significant emotional range, fans compared his performance to that of a "sock puppet" and suggested he must have skipped the acting classes his co-stars attended. Millie Bobby Brown, also 21, received notably less criticism for her performance in comparison.
One viewer fumed: "Why does Noah Schnapp's acting feel like he's a sock puppet?" while another declared: "The worst acting I've seen all year goes to Noah Schnapp."
Career Concerns and Development Questions
Many viewers expressed concern that Schnapp's limited acting abilities might hinder his career prospects beyond Stranger Things. Some even claimed his performance has deteriorated as he's aged, with one fan noting the stark contrast between his scenes and those featuring veteran actress Winona Ryder.
The criticism highlights the challenges child actors face when transitioning to adult roles, particularly within such a high-profile series. Schnapp's journey from child star to leading man in the final season appears to have fallen short of audience expectations for many long-time fans.
Additional comments from disappointed viewers included: "Noah Schnapp's acting is horrendous" and "Stranger Things is crazy because you can go from Winona Ryder acting her ass off to Noah Schnapp ruining the scene with his terrible acting."
Love Triangle Plotline Also Faces Backlash
While Schnapp's performance received the harshest criticism, the show's writers also faced backlash for reviving the love triangle between Nancy Wheeler (Natalia Dyer), Steve Harrington (Joe Keery) and Jonathan Byers (Charlie Heaton). After five series spanning nine years, many viewers expressed frustration with what they deemed a "lazy and stupid" plot development.
Fans accused the creators of neglecting Nancy's character development in favour of focusing on the competition between Steve and Jonathan. The rivalry resumes in the new episodes as both characters attempt to prove their worth to Nancy, even racing to WSQL 'The Squawk' radio tower in competitive displays.
Critics echoed viewer sentiments, with Glamour's Charley Ross questioning why the love triangle persists and The Mirror's Neela Debath calling the constant bickering between Steve and Jonathan "unnecessary" given the world-ending stakes.
The release schedule sees fans waiting four weeks for the next three instalments, which will arrive on Christmas Day, with the final episode scheduled for December 31.
