- - USA TODAY and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article. Pricing and availability subject to change.Will Byers comes out on 'Stranger Things,' is it awkward or empowering?

Kelly Lawler, USA TODAYDecember 26, 2025 at 8:30 PM

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Spoiler alert! The following contains spoilers for "Stranger Things" Season 5, through Episode 7.

Will Byers has finally spoken his truth.

In a scene that's meant to be the emotional climax of the fifth and final season of Netflix's "Stranger Things," the oft-abused fifth-wheel of the Hawkins, Indiana Dungeons & Dragons party, Will Byers (Noah Schnapp), comes out to his family, friends a few new acquaintances in the second-to-last episode of the series.

It's a hugely cathartic moment for Will, who has been carrying a secret he believes the series' villain Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower) can use against him. Encouraged by fellow queer character Robin (Maya Hawke), Will tells everyone who is part of the fight against Vecna that he is gay, thus ensuring that there are no more secrets or walls within the gang. Then, unburdened and strapped with weapons, Will, Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) and the rest head into the Upside Down one last time to try to stop Vecna once and for all.

Noah Schnapp as Will Byers in Stranger Things: Season 5.

But is it quite the climactic, resonant scene that series creators Matt and Ross Duffer intend for the character? Not quite.

While Will's sexuality has been hinted at for a few seasons now, and the character's speech was a moving monologue about how being gay doesn't make him all that different from his straight friends, something was off about the scene. Set in 1983, a time before LGBTQ+ people were widely accepted, it was always going to be a big moment for Will and his friends and family. Coming out in Indiana in the 1980s is a much bigger task than coming out in 2025. But something just didn't feel right.

Perhaps it was the presence of Vickie (Amybeth McNulty) and Murray (Brett Gelman), two characters who have scarcely shared a scene with Will before. Maybe it was the fact that in a far more exciting and emotional sequence in the fourth episode of the season, Will comes out to himself in a moment of self-actualization that actually leads to the development of super powers. Perhaps its because the series snatched those super powers back and instantly re-weakened Will in the subsequent episode.

More: 'Stranger Things' star Noah Schnapp says child actors need therapy

fifth and final season of the Netflix horror series will return Nov. 26 (with subsequent installments on Christmas Day and New Year's Eve). Take a peek at images from the episodes, including Winona Ryder as Joyce Byers.

" style=padding-bottom:56%>"Stranger Things" is almost here! The fifth and final season of the Netflix horror series will return Nov. 26 (with subsequent installments on Christmas Day and New Year's Eve). Take a peek at images from the episodes, including Winona Ryder as Joyce Byers.

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"Stranger Things" is almost here! The fifth and final season of the Netflix horror series will return Nov. 26 (with subsequent installments on Christmas Day and New Year's Eve). Take a peek at images from the episodes, including Winona Ryder as Joyce Byers.

">"Stranger Things" is almost here! The fifth and final season of the Netflix horror series will return Nov. 26 (with subsequent installments on Christmas Day and New Year's Eve). Take a peek at images from the episodes, including Winona Ryder as Joyce Byers.

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Nell Fisher as Holly Wheeler in "Stranger Things" Season 5. The third Wheeler sibling has been too young to be included in earlier seasons.

">Nell Fisher as Holly Wheeler in "Stranger Things" Season 5. The third Wheeler sibling has been too young to be included in earlier seasons.

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" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/l_ji5F.AMMoqugGsoqpeaQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD02MTg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/e8a7e3a335cbc876082f2687bd513d30 class=caas-img data-headline="Sneak peek photos from 'Stranger Things' Season 5, including Max Mayfield's fate" data-caption="

"Terminator" star Linda Hamilton makes her debut as Dr. Kay in "Stranger Things" Season 5.

">"Terminator" star Linda Hamilton makes her debut as Dr. Kay in "Stranger Things" Season 5.

" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/l_ji5F.AMMoqugGsoqpeaQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD02MTg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/e8a7e3a335cbc876082f2687bd513d30 class=caas-img>Millie Bobby Brown as Eleven and Finn Wolfhard as Mike Wheeler in "Stranger Things" Season 5. Their teen romance will have to endure apocalyptic problems.

" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/qy4Geh.QMahfCvWEtuhLeg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD02MjE-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/9ed8ae652163a17aa9c4bf3d283d2b8f class=caas-img data-headline="Sneak peek photos from 'Stranger Things' Season 5, including Max Mayfield's fate" data-caption="

Millie Bobby Brown as Eleven and Finn Wolfhard as Mike Wheeler in "Stranger Things" Season 5. Their teen romance will have to endure apocalyptic problems.

">Millie Bobby Brown as Eleven and Finn Wolfhard as Mike Wheeler in "Stranger Things" Season 5. Their teen romance will have to endure apocalyptic problems.

" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/qy4Geh.QMahfCvWEtuhLeg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD02MjE-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/9ed8ae652163a17aa9c4bf3d283d2b8f class=caas-img>Gaten Matarazzo as Dustin Henderson and Joe Keery as Steve Harrington in "Stranger Things" Season 5. Everyone's favorite friends will have their own trials and tribulations.

" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/_TyJnIH_U_Lf9gZiI.uJ.g--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD02MTg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/a055de7def60c3f90f97b78e769ef8cc class=caas-img data-headline="Sneak peek photos from 'Stranger Things' Season 5, including Max Mayfield's fate" data-caption="

Gaten Matarazzo as Dustin Henderson and Joe Keery as Steve Harrington in "Stranger Things" Season 5. Everyone's favorite friends will have their own trials and tribulations.

">Gaten Matarazzo as Dustin Henderson and Joe Keery as Steve Harrington in "Stranger Things" Season 5. Everyone's favorite friends will have their own trials and tribulations.

" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/_TyJnIH_U_Lf9gZiI.uJ.g--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD02MTg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/a055de7def60c3f90f97b78e769ef8cc class=caas-img>Caleb McLaughlin as Lucas Sinclair and Sadie Sink as Max Mayfield in "Stranger Things" Season 5. Max ended Season 4 of the series in a coma caused by villain Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower).

" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/7Ehuaz_w1.S4RhBhlpWaGw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD02MTg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/cd442a42b58b3ae7c253851d9fe9793e class=caas-img data-headline="Sneak peek photos from 'Stranger Things' Season 5, including Max Mayfield's fate" data-caption="

Caleb McLaughlin as Lucas Sinclair and Sadie Sink as Max Mayfield in "Stranger Things" Season 5. Max ended Season 4 of the series in a coma caused by villain Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower).

">Caleb McLaughlin as Lucas Sinclair and Sadie Sink as Max Mayfield in "Stranger Things" Season 5. Max ended Season 4 of the series in a coma caused by villain Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower).

" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/7Ehuaz_w1.S4RhBhlpWaGw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD02MTg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/cd442a42b58b3ae7c253851d9fe9793e class=caas-img>Priah Ferguson as Erica Sinclair in "Stranger Things" Season 5. Lucas' little sister is a fan favorite.

" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/8na3IIzRuAQIfof5v2K.fQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD02MjE-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/e14a5ac256d98855e5088dcb81240fbf class=caas-img data-headline="Sneak peek photos from 'Stranger Things' Season 5, including Max Mayfield's fate" data-caption="

Priah Ferguson as Erica Sinclair in "Stranger Things" Season 5. Lucas' little sister is a fan favorite.

">Priah Ferguson as Erica Sinclair in "Stranger Things" Season 5. Lucas' little sister is a fan favorite.

" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/8na3IIzRuAQIfof5v2K.fQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD02MjE-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/e14a5ac256d98855e5088dcb81240fbf class=caas-img>Noah Schnapp as Will Byers and Jamie Campbell Bower as Vecna in "Stranger Things" Season 5. Will's kidnapping by Vecna into the Upside Down in Season 1 started the whole series of unfortunate events of the show.

" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/Mwhvpt.yUEU5Fv7aZhT7jw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD02MjE-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/e6b0ba459d2bce31adf213a7496d3343 class=caas-img data-headline="Sneak peek photos from 'Stranger Things' Season 5, including Max Mayfield's fate" data-caption="

Noah Schnapp as Will Byers and Jamie Campbell Bower as Vecna in "Stranger Things" Season 5. Will's kidnapping by Vecna into the Upside Down in Season 1 started the whole series of unfortunate events of the show.

">Noah Schnapp as Will Byers and Jamie Campbell Bower as Vecna in "Stranger Things" Season 5. Will's kidnapping by Vecna into the Upside Down in Season 1 started the whole series of unfortunate events of the show.

" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/Mwhvpt.yUEU5Fv7aZhT7jw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD02MjE-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/e6b0ba459d2bce31adf213a7496d3343 class=caas-img>The gang's all here: Joe Keery as Steve Harrington, Natalia Dyer as Nancy Wheeler, Charlie Heaton as Jonathan Byers, Maya Hawke as Robin Buckley, Finn Wolfhard as Mike Wheeler, Winona Ryder as Joyce Byers, Noah Schnapp as Will Byers, Gaten Matarazzo as Dustin Henderson, and Caleb McLaughlin as Lucas Sinclair in "Stranger Things" Season 5.

" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/wwusqG6UtnVdtJ5aAzme2g--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD02MjE-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/3596667b10f87f946eadcf642f3dc2a0 class=caas-img data-headline="Sneak peek photos from 'Stranger Things' Season 5, including Max Mayfield's fate" data-caption="

The gang's all here: Joe Keery as Steve Harrington, Natalia Dyer as Nancy Wheeler, Charlie Heaton as Jonathan Byers, Maya Hawke as Robin Buckley, Finn Wolfhard as Mike Wheeler, Winona Ryder as Joyce Byers, Noah Schnapp as Will Byers, Gaten Matarazzo as Dustin Henderson, and Caleb McLaughlin as Lucas Sinclair in "Stranger Things" Season 5.

">The gang's all here: Joe Keery as Steve Harrington, Natalia Dyer as Nancy Wheeler, Charlie Heaton as Jonathan Byers, Maya Hawke as Robin Buckley, Finn Wolfhard as Mike Wheeler, Winona Ryder as Joyce Byers, Noah Schnapp as Will Byers, Gaten Matarazzo as Dustin Henderson, and Caleb McLaughlin as Lucas Sinclair in "Stranger Things" Season 5.

" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/wwusqG6UtnVdtJ5aAzme2g--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD02MjE-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/3596667b10f87f946eadcf642f3dc2a0 class=caas-img>An image from "Stranger Things" Season 5. Things are looking positively like the end of the world in Hawkins, Indiana.

" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/VlX51cBfSMVITokWKgtS6A--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD02MTg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/f92d8833a2986f1cbd9f734f35dc1074 class=caas-img data-headline="Sneak peek photos from 'Stranger Things' Season 5, including Max Mayfield's fate" data-caption="

An image from "Stranger Things" Season 5. Things are looking positively like the end of the world in Hawkins, Indiana.

">An image from "Stranger Things" Season 5. Things are looking positively like the end of the world in Hawkins, Indiana.

" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/VlX51cBfSMVITokWKgtS6A--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD02MTg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/f92d8833a2986f1cbd9f734f35dc1074 class=caas-img>

1 / 10Sneak peek photos from 'Stranger Things' Season 5, including Max Mayfield's fate

"Stranger Things" is almost here! The fifth and final season of the Netflix horror series will return Nov. 26 (with subsequent installments on Christmas Day and New Year's Eve). Take a peek at images from the episodes, including Winona Ryder as Joyce Byers.

For five seasons, "Stranger" has struggled with how to deal with Will, who started out as the show's almost personality-less kidnap victim back in Season 1 and never developed much from there. While his coming out moment could have been triumphant and inspirational, it ends up being underwhelming and awkward.

Schnapp, in a recent interview with USA TODAY, was happy with this character's arc. "I think he's one of the best queer characters we have in media because he's a real person,” Schnapp said. “His whole story isn't just being gay. And it just feels so rewarding to get to see him finally step up and be triumphant and strong.”

There is one two-hour finale left in the epic "Stranger Things" story. Here's to hoping Will Byers gets a little more triumphant and strong.

Contributing: Patrick Ryan

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Will Byers comes out on 'Stranger Things,' but why is it awkward?

Original Article on Source

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