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Fans are considering boycotting the fifth and final season of Stranger Things following controversy stirred by one of the lead stars, Noah Schnapp, who plays Will Byers. Schnapp faced backlash last year for his controversial statements about the Israel-Palestine conflict, further aggravating the situation by creating stickers that said “Zionism is sexy.” The online backlash included accusations of supporting genocide, leading to calls for boycotting the series.
Schnapp recently released an apology on his TikTok account, attempting to clarify his intentions and expressing a desire for peace, safety, and security for all innocent people affected by the conflict. However, fans appear even more upset after the apology, questioning its timing, as it coincided with the start of filming for the fifth season of Stranger Things. Some speculate that Netflix’s PR team may have influenced Schnapp’s apology to prevent a boycott, casting doubt on its sincerity.
The content of Schnapp’s apology, calling for peace on both sides, also faced criticism. Detractors argue on social media platforms that true peace requires liberation, and the apology may be too little too late, with viewers having already formed opinions about whether to boycott the show or not. The controversy surrounding Schnapp’s statements and subsequent actions could potentially impact the show’s viewership figures, raising concerns for Netflix’s PR team.