Stranger Things Creators Defend Will’s Coming Out Scene

Duffer Brothers respond to backlash over emotional Will Byers moment

The creators of Stranger Things are standing firmly behind one of the most talked-about moments from the show’s final season — even as it faces heavy criticism online.

Image: Netflix

In the penultimate episode, Will Byers, played by Noah Schnapp, comes out as gay to his loved ones just before the group’s final confrontation with Vecna. While many viewers praised the scene for its emotional weight, others reacted negatively, leading to backlash across social media platforms.

The episode, titled “The Bridge,” has become the lowest-rated installment of the series on IMDb, currently holding a 5.6/10 score. Following the release of Volume 2, the season’s overall rating on Rotten Tomatoes dropped to 83 percent — the lowest score across all five seasons.

‘This was nine years in the making’

Speaking to Variety, creators Matt Duffer and Ross Duffer said the moment was something the show had been building toward since the very beginning.

According to Ross, Will’s decision to come out wasn’t just a personal milestone — it was directly tied to the story’s larger battle against evil. He explained that accepting who he is allows Will to fully step into his role in helping defeat Vecna, played by Jamie Campbell Bower.

Matt added that the moment represented the final stage of Will’s character arc. Before the episode, Will shares a heart-to-heart with Robin, portrayed by Maya Hawke, as he struggles with how and when to speak his truth.

In the Duffers’ view, Will finding that courage was his way of pushing back against Vecna’s control — emotionally and symbolically.

The actual truth about this #StrangerThings scene is that it's actually a well written scene. I've been laughing at a bunch of straight dudes criticizing it on here and saying they could've written a better coming out scene. ????

I do agree that it was not effective scene,… https://t.co/DxPxa947h1

— John Rocha (@TheRochaSays) December 28, 2025

Responding to the backlash

Despite the mixed reaction, Ross made it clear the team has no regrets. He said they are proud of the episode, the scene, and especially Schnapp’s performance, calling it brave and deeply vulnerable.

Image: Netflix

The brothers also shared that Noah’s comfort was their top priority while crafting the scene. Schnapp, who publicly came out in 2023, was closely involved in discussions about how the moment would play out.

Related: Stranger Things 5 Finale Gets 1.1 Million Theater RSVPs

Matt revealed that after the episode aired, he stayed in close contact with the actor and said Schnapp has been handling the online response well. According to him, Noah is proud of the scene — and so are they.

While the debate around the episode continues, the Duffers believe Will’s coming out was a necessary and honest conclusion to a story that has been unfolding for nearly a decade.