Backlash Erupts as ‘SNL’ Fans Slam Finn Wolfhard’s ‘Disgusting’ Joke
Saturday Night Live is no stranger to pushing boundaries, but a recent sketch involving the cast of Stranger Things has left a sour taste in the mouths of many fans.
Host Finn Wolfhard was joined by his longtime co-stars Caleb McLaughlin and Gaten Matarazzo for a segment that aimed to parody the future lives of their Hawkins characters. However, the humor quickly veered into territory that viewers found distasteful, particularly regarding the female characters of the hit show.
Finn started the monologue by joking about millions of people watch him go through puberty on Stranger Things. He then said: “My voice changed on camera, my first kiss was on camera and, I can’t actually believe that I’m admitting this but the first time that I learned what a woman looks like down there was on camera as well.”
The monologue then cut to an old clip of Finn as Mike in Stranger Things watching a Demogorgon open its mouth. The joke compared a vagina to a Demogorgon and now Finn and SNL are facing backlash over it.
Finn Wolfhard’s monologue! pic.twitter.com/aJMwIACmYG
— Saturday Night Live – SNL (@nbcsnl) January 18, 2026
There’s also the sketch…..The sketch, titled “Mike in Manhattan,” reimagined the boys in a setting reminiscent of Sex and the City, taking place ten years after the series finale. Wolfhard channeled Sarah Jessica Parker’s Carrie Bradshaw, complete with voiceovers and puns about dating in the big city. “And just like that, I was in a new Upside Down, New York, and it doesn’t take a hive mind to know that after you’ve dated an Eleven, even 10s fall short,” Wolfhard recited while sitting at a restaurant table.
The atmosphere shifted when McLaughlin and Matarazzo arrived to discuss their romantic endeavors over cocktails. McLaughlin, reprising his role as Lucas Sinclair, made a comment about his relationship with Max Mayfield, played by Sadie Sink in the Netflix series. The joke targeted Max’s traumatic storyline, which involved a coma following a brutal confrontation with the villain Vecna.
“Well, Max and I started off hot and heavy, right?” McLaughlin’s character shared with the group. “Then, a couple of years in, she just lies there like she’s back in that coma.”
In the context of the series, Max’s coma was a source of major emotional distress for the characters and the audience alike. Fans felt that turning this tragic plot point into a punchline about s**** performance and passivity was a step too far. Social media platforms were immediately flooded with criticism regarding the writing choices, with many calling out the writers for the insensitive angle.
Viewers labeled the dialogue as “disgusting” and “weird,” questioning how the sketch made it to air without someone flagging the content. “What kind of game was going on on SNL? These jokes were so flat and disgusting,” one person tweeted after the segment aired. Another viewer expressed their shock, stating, “They made a joke about Lucas having s** with unconscious Max on SNL. What has this show come to?”
The controversy did not stop with the comments about Max, as the sketch also took aim at Will Byers. The skit explained Will’s absence by claiming he was still stuck in a scene from the show’s penultimate episode. The joke suggested that Will’s coming-out moment, a pivotal scene for the character, was excruciatingly long-winded and melodramatic.
The sketch cut to a parody of the scene, featuring cast member Jeremy Culhane as a stuttering Will. “Guys, I’m gai-ning the courage to tell you the truth, and the truth is I’m gai-zing at all of your faces, and you should know that I like D…and D – Dungeons and Dragons, just like you guys,” the character said. Fans once again rushed to social media to express their disappointment, feeling the bit mocked a sensitive and important moment of representation.
Finn Wolfhard, Gaten Matarazzo and Caleb McLaughlin star in an SNL skit about potential ‘STRANGER THINGS’ sequel shows
— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) January 18, 2026
“Remember that mysterious 9th episode the Internet was convinced existed? It didn’t but it does now!” pic.twitter.com/htQoBNe8G9
Stranger Things has remained a pop culture juggernaut since its debut in 2016, and its recently concluded fifth season marked the end of an era for Netflix. The show launched its young cast into global superstardom, and they have all been busy expanding their portfolios beyond the town of Hawkins. Finn Wolfhard has continued to balance acting with his musical endeavors and directing.
Wolfhard recently co-wrote and directed the horror-comedy Hell of a Summer, showcasing his talents behind the camera. He also reprised his role in the Ghostbusters franchise, starring in Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire. Caleb McLaughlin has been focusing on film, earning praise for his dramatic chops in movies like Concrete Cowboy and The Deliverance.
Meanwhile, Gaten Matarazzo has returned to his theatrical roots, taking on high-profile roles on Broadway. He recently received acclaim for his performance in the revival of Sweeney Todd, proving his vocal abilities match his comedic timing. Sadie Sink has established herself as a serious dramatic actress, garnering critical acclaim for her performance in The Whale alongside Brendan Fraser.
Noah Schnapp has also been active, balancing his studies at the University of Pennsylvania with his acting career. He recently starred in the thriller The Tutor and has been vocal about his entrepreneurship with his snack brand, TBH. The chemistry between the cast members remains a huge draw for fans, which explains the high anticipation, and subsequent letdown surrounding their SNL reunion.
Tell us if you think comedy shows like SNL should have free rein to mock serious TV moments or if these specific jokes went too far in the comments.
