The buzz surrounding "Stranger Things" isn't all pretty. While majority praised the show for its unique concept, lovable characters and unusual take on storytelling, it was also criticized for highlighting homophobia in American culture, particularly with Will and Barb being treated as "outsiders."
In a lengthy essay, Daniel Reynolds of The Advocate suggests that the Upside Down, where Will and Barb were taken, is a "potent metaphor for the closet," further implying that both characters may be gay.
Noah Schanpp, who portrays Will Byers on the show, breaks his silence on the matter of his character's sexual orientation. "For me, Will being gay or not is besides the point. Stranger Things is a show about a bunch of kids who are outsiders and find each other because they have been bullied in some way or are different," Schnapp writes on Instagram.
"Does being sensitive, or a loner, or a teenager who likes photography, or a girl with red hair and big glasses, make you gay? I'm only 12 but I do know we all relate to being different. And that's why I think the Duffers wrote the show the way they did," he adds.
In the meantime, Schnapp's character has been elevated to series regular for "Stranger Things" Season 2, as well as Joe Keery's well-loved Steve Harrington. With that said, Will is definitely going to have a more expanded role in the next outing.
In an interview with Variety, Ross Duffer hinted that "Stranger Things" Season 2 may explore the effects of the Upside Down on Will and that others who have entered the other-worldly dimension.
"We love the idea that [the Upside Down] is an environment that is not a great place for a human being to be living in. Will's been there for an entire week, and it's had some kind of effect on him, both emotionally and perhaps physically," Duffer explains.
He adds, "The idea is he's escaped this nightmare place, but has he really? That's a place we wanted to go and potentially explore in season two."
"Stranger Things" Season 2 is expected to premiere in July 2017 on Netflix.