Noah Schnapp Spent 24 Hours Filming Will’s Emotional Scene in ‘Stranger Things’ Season 5

Noah Schnapp opened up about filming one of the most important moments for his character Will Byers in “Stranger Things” Season 5, Volume 2. In Episode 7, titled “The Bridge,” Will finally comes out to his friends, saying, “I don’t like girls.”

The scene is a major turning point for the character, showing him embracing his identity and gaining confidence after years of trauma and isolation.

Schnapp told Variety that filming the monologue was intense. “It was like a 12-hour day of just that monologue. And we weren’t even done after the 12-hour day. We came back a week later to reshoot certain parts of the scene for another 12 hours,” he said. He explained that the long hours gave him the chance to experiment with different ways of delivering the scene and explore the emotions fully.

The actor knew the scene was coming but didn’t know the exact details until late in production. “Eventually, they said they had it, and I read it by the end of the year in August or September. And I was just in tears. It was perfect,” Schnapp said. He described the script as so well-written that he didn’t need to make any changes.

Filming took place with the full cast present, including Winona Ryder, Finn Wolfhard, and Maya Hawke. Schnapp said he was so focused on the scene that he barely noticed anyone watching. “I kind of had to because it was so nerve-racking to know that the entire cast was there watching me,” he explained. Director Shawn Levy confirmed that the reactions captured on camera were genuine.

Schnapp also described the preparation for the scene. He practiced the lines for months before filming, repeating them out loud without emotion to memorize them. This allowed him to focus on the feelings and nuances during the shoot. Maya Hawke helped him with tips on handling such a long and emotional monologue.

He discussed why Will says, “I don’t like girls” instead of explicitly saying he’s gay. “We have to remember that it’s the 1980s. When I came out, I didn’t say the word ‘gay.’ It’s hard, and it feels scary to say it… When Will is first coming to terms with it in front of his friends, he’s probably scared to use that word,” Schnapp said.

The final edit balanced sadness and lighter moments. Schnapp was pleased with how the scene showed Will reflecting on memories with his friends, rather than only showing despair. “I’m glad that they edited it the way they did, where it’s nice to see him not just sob through the whole scene, but kind of smile through the memories and give that lighter feel. It makes it hit harder,” he said.

This scene highlights both Will’s journey and Schnapp’s growth as an actor over ten years. Schnapp’s real-life experience coming out in 2023 added depth and authenticity to his performance.

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