Noah Schnapp gets trolled over ‘Stranger Things’ season 5 performance ahead of series finale

Noah Schnapp faces social media backlash over acting in ‘Stranger Things 5’, drawing comparisons to Gal Gadot.

As Netflix prepares for the highly anticipated final season of Stranger Things, actor Noah Schnapp has become the centre of a social media storm.

The 20-year-old, known for his portrayal of Will Byers since the show’s debut in 2016, is being compared to Gal Gadot for what critics call “flat” and “emotionless” delivery in recently released performances.

The criticism exploded following teaser clips from Stranger Things season 5, igniting memes and online debates. One viral post referenced a cultural trope of former teen stars facing career struggles. Another widely shared tweet paired a political jab with a humourous caption. 

Amid the backlash, some fans stood their ground, dismissing the criticism with lines like “propaganda I’m not falling for: Noah can’t act.” Meanwhile, harsher posts continued the comparison trend, labelling him “the male version of Gal Gadot when it comes to acting.

noah schnapp about to join the tom felton asylum once stranger things ends im cryinggg

— ً (@rafesboy) June 1, 2025

Noah Schnapp when you tell him you don't think Zionism is sexy pic.twitter.com/elTrYP5CUV

— Mighty Zap (@ZapIsMighty) June 1, 2025

The male version of Gal Gadot when it comes to acting pic.twitter.com/8kyScmWTY4

— kira 👾 (@kirawontmiss) June 1, 2025

propaganda im not falling for: noah cant act

— ⸉⸆ɯǝƃ (@byersahoy) June 1, 2025

Gal Gadot really can't act, but saying Noah Schnapp can't act just because you don't like him, is a straight up lie. pic.twitter.com/UhuV1YK43n

— the blue (@thebluestshade) June 1, 2025

As Stranger Things prepares to conclude with its fifth season, expectations are sky-high for every returning cast member.

Netflix confirmed that Stranger Things season 5 will be released in three parts: Volume 1 on November 26, 2025, Volume 2 on Christmas Day 2025, and the series finale on New Year’s Eve.