With the much-anticipated release of Stranger Things Season 5 Volume 2 on Netflix, fans around the globe have been abuzz—not just about the fate of Hawkins, but about one of the series’ most emotionally charged moments yet. In Episode 7, aptly titled “The Bridge,” Will Byers (played by Noah Schnapp) comes out as gay to his friends and family, a revelation that’s been years in the making. While the moment has been widely praised for its depth and sensitivity, it has also sparked heated debate among viewers, with some accusing the show of pushing a so-called “woke agenda.” According to Current News and other outlets, creators Matt and Ross Duffer, along with Netflix, have stood by the scene’s importance, emphasizing that Will’s sexuality has been woven into the show’s fabric since its very first season.
The controversy, as reported by Current News, centers on a vocal subset of fans who argue that Will’s coming out is a sudden and unnecessary addition. However, the Duffer Brothers and critics alike have pushed back, pointing out that hints about Will’s identity have been present since Season 1. For instance, Joyce Byers (Winona Ryder) revealed early on that Will’s father used derogatory terms like “queer” and “fag,” a moment that established Will’s sexuality as a genuine plot point from the start. Over the subsequent seasons, Will’s feelings—particularly his affection for Mike Wheeler (Finn Wolfhard)—became a topic of speculation and subtle storytelling, with the show dropping clues and raising questions about his identity.
In an interview with People, Ross Duffer confirmed that the coming out scene was carefully constructed to ensure authenticity and emotional resonance. The creators spent more time writing and rewriting this moment than any other in the show’s decade-long run. “Of all the scenes across ten years of five seasons of the show, this is the one that I think Matt and I spent the longest on in terms of writing and rewriting just to get it where we felt was right,” Ross Duffer said. To get it right, the brothers consulted members of the queer community, drawing on their experiences to shape a scene that would feel both genuine and powerful. Noah Schnapp, who himself came out as gay in 2023, said of the script, “I just cried reading it, and I was like, ‘This is perfect. They did it. There’s no notes.’”
The significance of the timing wasn’t lost on fans or critics. Will’s coming out takes place just before the group’s final battle against Vecna, the series’ ultimate villain. According to Current News, this timing is not only thematically fitting but also symbolically rich: Will’s act of bravery and self-acceptance before heading into battle mirrors the classic trope of warriors making peace with their past before facing danger. “For his own sake and for the sake of those who will be going into battle by his side, Will understood the importance of his making peace with himself and who he is,” the article noted. Sharing this truth with his closest allies was both a personal catharsis and a way to reassure the group that he was ready to face whatever came next.
One of the most discussed aspects of the scene was how Mike Wheeler reacted. For years, fans have speculated about whether Mike truly understood Will’s feelings. The answer, as confirmed by the Duffer Brothers in interviews with People and IBTimes, is now clear. The camera lingers on Mike’s face as Will recounts a conversation with Robin (Maya Hawke) about her first crush, using the story as a bridge to reveal his own emotions. “That was the intent,” Ross Duffer explained, referring to the moment Mike realizes the truth. “Once Will is talking about Tammy and all that and his experience, yeah, it’s Mike—and his friends—all realizing and understanding now for the first time, even if Mike has been somewhat oblivious over these years, what his friend is saying.”
This emotional clarity is a payoff for both the characters and the audience. As IBTimes recounted, the show has been building toward this moment since its 2016 premiere. From the early taunts about Will not liking girls to the heartfelt van scene in Season 4, where Will presented Mike with a painting symbolizing his feelings, the groundwork was laid with care and intention. In that painting, the group is depicted as Dungeons & Dragons warriors, with Mike at the center, a heart emblazoned on his shield—a subtle but powerful nod to Will’s affection.
The technical execution of the scene was equally painstaking. Schnapp filmed the monologue over two separate 12-hour sessions, experimenting with different emotional beats to capture the vulnerability and courage at the heart of Will’s confession. “It was like, ‘Oh my God, how many more times can I do this scene?’” Schnapp told E! Online. “But it was also nice because it allowed me to try so many different things.” The end result is a performance that resonates with viewers, regardless of their own backgrounds or experiences.
As the season barrels toward its conclusion, the ramifications of Will’s coming out are set to ripple through the group dynamic. The Duffer Brothers have confirmed that Mike, now fully aware of Will’s feelings, will step up as a more confident leader in the final episodes. The series finale, titled “The Rightside Up,” is scheduled to drop on New Year’s Eve, capping off nearly a decade of storytelling. Netflix has announced that the finale will run over two hours and will even receive limited theatrical screenings in the United States and Canada—a testament to the show’s cultural impact and enduring popularity.
Despite the backlash from some corners of the internet, the consensus among critics and many fans is that Will’s coming out is not only justified but essential to the series’ emotional arc. As Current News put it, “If you’re just realizing all of this now, that’s way more of a ‘you’ problem than something that the Duffers did wrong.” The show’s commitment to authenticity, both in storytelling and representation, has set a high bar for genre television. In the words of Schnapp, “They did it. There’s no notes.”
With the final battle looming and the fate of Hawkins hanging in the balance, Stranger Things delivers a coming-of-age moment that’s as brave and unforgettable as any Demogorgon showdown. As the curtain falls on this beloved series, Will Byers’ journey stands as a testament to the power of truth, friendship, and the courage it takes to be seen.
