As the filming for the final season of Stranger Things is about to begin, a fresh controversy has emerged around Stranger Things. The beloved series is now facing calls for a boycott due to concerns about the problematic behavior of the cast. The users are putting pressure on Netflix to either replace the actors or face the consequences.
The debate started with Noah Schnapp, who portrays Will Byers, making a contentious statement on the Israel-Palestine conflict. However, it escalated when Schnapp liked a video that mocked both Muslims and the LGBTQ community. The video targets support for Palestinians within U.S. college campuses. In one segment, an individual emphasizes the platform's inclusivity, mentioning support for "LGBTQH," where the "H" represents Hamas.
This has resulted in a huge backlash for the Stranger Things star as people are demanding his removal from the show. The actor has been trending on Twitter with many people threatening to cancel Netflix if they don't replace the actor. Even Will Byers stans on Twitter have distanced themselves from the actor. After the backlash, Noah Schnapp has lost around 600k followers on Instagram.
Additional cast members are under scrutiny, with Brett Gelman, known for portraying Murray Bauman in the show, facing significant criticism. The actor, who is also Jewish, has garnered backlash for sharing Instagram posts that some users perceive as anti-Muslim. Aside from the Israel controversy, Cara Buono who plays Karen Wheeler, is under fire for liking transphobic tweets.
Beyond the actors, Stranger Things executive producer Shawn Levy and the show's writers, The Duffer Brothers, are also facing backlash for endorsing a letter in support of Israel.
In light of the recent controversy, fans on the internet are calling for a boycott of Stranger Things. Even on Stranger Things Day, there was huge negativity with many expressing the desire to cancel the series.
oh they are all gonna be on noah schnapp’s stranger things podcast 10 years from now pic.twitter.com/lL8hJjnSI4
— nance (@dyersfilms) November 8, 2023
Many users are sharing their views on Twitter calling to boycott Stranger Things season 5.
One such user wrote on Twitter, "boycott stranger things season five when it comes out so that they don’t get a lot of money. one of the duffer brothers signed the letter in support of israel and so did shaun levy. brett gelman is a crazy zionist and so is noah schnapp. they’re all disgusting pieces of shit."
boycott stranger things season five when it comes out so that they don’t get a lot of money. one of the duffer brothers signed the letter in support of israel and so did shaun levy. brett gelman is a crazy zionist and so is noah schnapp. they’re all disgusting pieces of shit.
— char (@yourstrulivia) November 6, 2023
Another user wrote, "if stranger things s5 was the biggest flop known to man solely because of noah schnapp that would be so fucking funny. netflix’s biggest and most expensive show absolutely tanking bc of noah schnapp. everyone needs to boycott stranger things"
if stranger things s5 was the biggest flop known to man solely because of noah schnapp that would be so fucking funny. netflix’s biggest and most expensive show absolutely tanking bc of noah schnapp. everyone needs to boycott stranger things 😍🤞
— annavera (@etherealbits) November 6, 2023
Check out some more responses below.
In case it wasn't obvious BOYCOTT STRANGER THINGS SEASON 5, the cast has two of the most Islamophobic and Antisemitic celebrities we've seen in a hot minute https://t.co/3qspoNkAE6
— AN🍉 (@_artfulnerd) November 6, 2023
reminder to boycott S5 of Stranger Things and not watch it or support it in any way! https://t.co/2dNlxtR1Qg
— Shanon ☆ Gaku Gagger (@sexorciiism) November 6, 2023
Let’s boycott Stranger Things and really show him something cause he’s on my nerves as well 🙃 https://t.co/KHqMTTaXdO
— m a y a (@KioshiWarrior) November 1, 2023
can we please boycott stranger things and netflix if they don't immediately fire noah schnapp for being blatantly islamaphobic and supporting genocide !!
— fatima 🇵🇸 (@monipersona) November 7, 2023
why trust hollywood to exercise discretion and wait for noah schapp to vanish from the spotlight rather than boycott stranger things and send a clear statement to comapanies that look to hire him in the future
— mimi (@girlusurper) November 6, 2023
Watch the season 5 of stranger Things anywhere but on Netflix.... idc no one from the cast has spoken up abt Palestine and one person is openly doing this and Netflix is in the boycott list however https://t.co/FhE1bSqS7n
— eunoia__svt (@eunoia__svt) November 7, 2023
Noah Schnapp needs to go.
— Pop Tingz (@ThePopTingz) November 7, 2023
So far Netflix has not responded to the backlash. They are preparing to begin the filming process for the final season as the SAG-AFTRA strike is over.
You've heard the expression "These are the times that try men's souls"? An interpretation of that is that when something unpleasant happens, people show who they really are. In this case, Noah Schnapp and Brett Gelman have shown themselves to be islamophobic goons.