‘My daughter accepted herself’: Stranger Things fans thank Noah Schnapp after powerful coming out scene

Stranger Things fans have praised Noah Schnapp for ‘giving strength to those who need it’ after his emotional coming out scene.

With the final episode of the hit Netflix series just two days away on January 1, things are starting to ramp up in Hawkins.

So far this week, more than 300,000 fans signed a petition demanding to see ‘deleted scenes’ that were allegedly cut.

This came after viewers revealed they were ‘terrified’ that the ending could be ‘underwhelming’.

Now, however, in the wake of the penultimate episode ‘The Bridge’ airing, which sees Noah’s character Will Byers come out as gay, Stranger Things has been ‘review bombed’ and the show’s score on Rotten Tomatoes has plummeted.

Taking to social media, viewers have leaped to Noah’s defence, describing his performance ‘special’.

How does Will come out Stranger Things?

Episode seven of season five from Stranger Things sees everybody reunite on the anniversary of Will’s disappearance.

But, before they prepare for a battle with Vecna that could have world-altering implications, Will opens up to his friends and family.

Performing a lengthy monologue, he comes out as gay and reveals that he ‘doesn’t like girls’.

Prior to The Bridge being released the show had received plenty of criticism, with its score plummeting to a series-low 57% on Rotten Tomatoes.

Some fans have claimed that the writing for the new series has not been up to previous standards and certain storylines have been ‘rushed’.

But, with Noah’s character coming out as gay, some viewers were critical, with Elon Musk writing on X: ‘It’s completely unnecessary and forced on an audience that just wants to enjoy some basic science fiction.’

‘My daughter was able to accept herself’

Responding to the emotional scene, several fans have praised Noah for his performance, with @earth.to.ev writing: ‘I can’t imagine how special it is to be able to connect with your character, your baby, in a way as personal as this. Love you love you love you.’

@yasg82 also wrote: ‘Dear Noah, you can’t imagine how moved my daughter and I were by your scene. She was able to accept herself and say it out loud at 13.

‘When she heard Will’s words, she said: only those of us who have gone through something like this, or who struggled to understand that there is nothing wrong with us, can feel this kind of emotion with complete empathy. We feel the same.’

The social media user went on to thank the Duffer brothers for ‘portraying something so real’ that ‘can give strength to those who need it, so they can finally be who they truly are’.

Echoing this sentiment, @jeffersonlimma777 said: ‘As a gay man, I just want to thank you for everything you represent.

‘Seeing the protagonist of such a historic series being gay made me feel so powerful and seen. I’m really happy for you and your journey. Thank you so much!!’

What has Noah said about the coming out scene?

Posting a video on Instagram, Noah explained how he has ‘lost so much sleep’ over how this scene would be filmed.

The Duffer brothers also said how they spent longer writing this scene than any other scene before.

Reading the scene that they wrote, Noah said that he ‘cried to himself’ because of how ‘beautiful’ it was.

Explaining further, however, he revealed how there was an always an element that his character ‘was different’ throughout and it took the Duffer brothers five seasons to finally complete his character arc.

Noah also emphasised that it felt ‘so satisfying’ that it was ‘not rushed or shoved in your face’

The Stranger Things finale is available to watch on New Year’s Day.

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