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Duffer brothers. Photograph: file
NEW YORK:
Matt and Ross Duffer, creators of Stranger Issues, addressed the backlash following the penultimate episode of the collection, which dropped on Netflix on Christmas Day.
The episode, titled “The Bridge,” options Will Byers, performed by Noah Schnapp, popping out as homosexual to his buddies earlier than confronting Vecna.
The scene sparked on-line evaluate bombing, with the season’s Rotten Tomatoes rating dropping to 56%, the bottom within the collection’ historical past. Episode seven acquired a rating of 5.6 out of 10 from 96,000 critiques, in contrast with earlier seasons, which scored between 86% and 96%.
“The approaching out scene is one thing we’ve been constructing to for 9 years now. It was a extremely essential scene for us, and a extremely essential scene for Noah — not simply from a thematic standpoint, but in addition a story standpoint,” Ross Duffer instructed Selection on January 1.
He added that the present has at all times centred on characters overcoming evil, with Vecna representing “all of the darkish ideas and the evil of society.”
Matt Duffer defined, “Quantity 1 is basically about self-acceptance. Will is speaking to Robin — it’s one thing that he desires to do. He finds the braveness to have the ability to do it. And it’s actually the final word f— you to Vecna. That was the intention.”
Regardless of the criticism, the Duffer Brothers expressed delight within the episode and in Schnapp’s efficiency. Ross stated, “We’re pleased with the episode, and we’re pleased with Noah, who gave a extremely courageous, very weak efficiency.”
The brothers emphasised their deal with supporting Schnapp, guaranteeing the scene resonated with him personally. Matt famous, “We have been positively nervous about the way it’s going to go over with everybody. However not as nervous as we have been handing it over to Noah. It actually labored and resonated for him, which was nice.”
The Duffer Brothers stay dedicated to their imaginative and prescient, acknowledging the blended reception whereas highlighting the scene’s significance in Will’s story arc.

