You knew Stranger Things 5 volume 1 was going to end on a cliffhanger, but having it be Will's secret (and consider this your spoiler warning!) was exactly the right reveal to take viewers into the last half of the series. More so, Will's secret was hiding in plain sight all along—in the Stranger Things 5 poster.
So what is Will's secret? It turns out he has similar powers as Eleven, complete with that signature nose bleed. And it couldn't come at a better time, as a bunch of Demogorgons are about to eat Lucas, Mike and Robin for dinner.
But first, Mike says Will is like a sorcerer and they really need some magic if they're going to take down Vecna. Later, Vecna tries to get into Will's mind (and frankly, he already has) by telling him that he (Will) broke so easily, which showed him what he could achieve. “Certain minds don't belong in this world,” Vecna says. “They belong in mine.”
Will recalls what Robin said earlier in the episode: 1) that he needs to stop looking for answers in someone else when he has the answers all along, 2) to stop being so scared of who he is really is, and 3) once he does that, he'll be free.
It all comes together as Mike, Lucas and Robin's lives are in danger, and Will is able to channel his newfound super-human strength and save his friends. The kid who always felt a little bit behind in life is now the one who comes through when everything is on the line.
But what does this all mean going forward? Does Will have a number like Eleven (011) and her sister (008)? Did he always have these powers and just didn't know it? Or did he somehow get them when he was first taken captive in the Upside Down?
According to Noah Schnapp—who has played Will since that first episode in 2016—we're not exactly supposed to know. And if you think what you just saw was mind-blowing, then get ready for the four remaining episodes later next month.
Those are just some of the reveals Schnapp shared with Glamour while wrapping up a few days in Tokyo (with his castmates for the world press tour); the 21-year-old also opened up about the more heartfelt moments in the series still to come, his favourite scene partner (you might be surprised), and his series finale plans. Settle in; there's a lot to get to.
Glamour: You play terrified and in distress so well. What are those heavy scenes like for you? And what kind of prep is involved?
Noah Schnapp: We've been doing fear since day one on this show, so it's kind of just like something we know and are so used to doing. But honestly, just anything I do, I try to take into my real life. And anything as recent and personal as possible, I try to get in my head and then just kind of stay there. Also, it helps that Vecna is terrifying in real life to look at. And then also just trying to put myself in the character of Will, understanding all of his traumas and everything he's juggling within his head and his fear for himself and for his friends. I just throw all that into it and try to give it my all.
Explain to me the last five minutes of episode four, as Will protects Lucas, Robin and Mike from the Demogorgons.
You're not supposed to fully know yet. It will get explained, but he, in that moment, is killing the Demogorgons that are about to kill Robin, Lucas and Mike. And I think with the help of Robin's inspirational words and uplifting support through the first four episodes, it inspires him to believe in himself and unleash this power that's been there through it all. He just didn't know how to get there.
The season 5 key art/poster features Will above Eleven, and it almost looks like you're giving a hint of what Will is capable of with his powers just by looking at his eyes. Was the poster supposed to be a clue to what happens?
Yeah. It's always supposed to kind of feel the vibe of the season and give an essence of where everyone's characters stand in that era and chapter of our story. So yeah, you can see a strength in him on there. And obviously, they didn't want to spoil it with any blood or anything, but as close as you can get. Everything is very intentional that we do.
So what did you think when you read the script for episode four, and especially those last five minutes?
Oh, man, I remember the directors and some other people kind of texting me like, "Oh, get ready. You're going to be really excited with the scripts." And I was like, "yeah, yeah." I didn't think anything of it. And then they sent us [quite a few] episodes before the table reads like a week before, and I was like, "I'll just read it on the day." And then everyone who was reading it kept texting me and was like, "Noah, are you freaking out? Are you so excited?" I'm like, "What are they talking about?"
So then the day of, I was like, "Okay, I guess I'll check this out." I'm skimming through it and I get to the end of episode four and I was like, “I had no idea.” I never knew that's where I was going to go. was just screaming. I was living with an assistant and I just burst out of the shower and I was like, "I have powers! Oh my God." I was freaking out, reacting like a fan. I'm such a fan of the show outside of just playing in it. So it was such an honour that they handed that opportunity to me.
Did Millie know before you did?
She didn't know.
Given your friendship with Millie, the fact that Will and Eleven are now connected in this way is very cool.
I know. I actually always was thinking that over the past year or two. We are best friends in real life, and now, our characters are...they were tied together. I think people online call them the Wonder Twins or something because we're super twins. We are siblings in the show, kind of unrelated, but because of our parents living under the same roof in season four, we're even more connected through this. And then when you get to the finale, you really see... I don't want to spoil anything, but it's an honour to get to be connected. You learn later how the powers come to Will and they come differently than with El, so I wanted to make sure that it is portrayed a little bit differently, which is why it's not more of her signature hand out, but it's more of an up-stretched kind of thing, which they'll get into more later. But yeah, it was fun to get to talk about it with her and we're now both connected in that way.
Did she have any advice for wiping away the blood? Do you literally just wipe it and it goes away?
It's actually annoying, because I wanted it to be real in my nose. And they were like, "No, we do it in post, in VFX." And I was like, "What? I want to do it." Because then the eyes too, they were supposed to be VFX'd in after to be white. And I was like, "No, no, no, I need the practicality." It helps you. You just feel like a freaking superhero when you have those white things. So they gave me the contacts, but with the blood, you're just wiping nothing.
But it was fun. That last shot, it was obviously so important because it's the last shot that you see of the whole first volume. And I was like, "Okay, we're going to have to do this a bunch of times to make it perfect. I want it perfect." And then I just did that one. I ran to video village, watched it back, looked at Ross [Duffer], and we just smiled and laughed. We were like, "Okay, check it! It's perfect. Don't touch it." And it was kind of a first take wonder, but it's so cool.
What was it like going from that amazing ending in episode four into episode five? Were you standing a little taller and tougher?
Oh, definitely. Everything that I filmed in that later part, I was like, "Okay, you have to remember that now, it's after this moment." That was kind of like a benchmark moment for my character in his arc of being strong and confident and self-assured. I wanted to play an arc into the supernatural powers part, which I can't really get into because I can't explain it, but see how that progresses as he learns it and hones it, and how to control it more.
Volume 2 releases on Christmas Day and features three new episodes before the finale on New Year's Eve. What can you tease about the next three episodes?
It just keeps getting big. Somehow, you can't believe it. It feels like a full-fledged finale in episode four, and it just keeps getting more intense and so good. Volume 2 is so incredible. But I haven't seen the finale yet. They won't show any of us until it comes out, but I've just heard nothing but raving reviews from everyone at Netflix and on the show. We're all very harsh critics of ourselves. So I'm excited to see where it goes.
Did they hide script pages from you guys for the final episode?
Yeah. They were very locked and keyed about that one. They didn't let us keep scripts. They would just give tids and bits on the day. They're locking it up, that one.
So do you even know how it ends?
Now I do.
Where are you going to be on New Year's Eve? Are you going to go to a theater and watch it with people?
It's so cool the finale will be in theatres [and on Netflix]. We've never had that opportunity to watch it with fans at AMC, so I'm excited. We're all talking as a cast of doing something together for sure, because what a rare, special experience that'll be.
People would just lose their damn minds if you showed up at a screening.
Well, I think it'd be a little embarrassing to be sobbing, but it makes me feel better that everyone probably will be with us. So I'm excited.
Speaking of excited fans, you just posted a photo carousel on Instagram, and there's one photo of a girl dressed as a Demogorgon, and her face upon seeing you is priceless.
It's funny, because we really didn't have a big fan base in Japan when we came to market it for seasons 2 and 3. And now, we came back for this season and it has just grown exponentially. They said they had an event with 30,000 people that signed up to be there, and that is a big deal for us over here in Japan. So it's just special. What an honour, seriously.
My favourite moments of the show have always been the ones that are character-driven and dive into the heart of the show…
Oh, me too.
So what can you say about Will's trajectory? I really want him to find happiness with a guy, because he's earned this. The scenes with Robin where he wants her guidance is just so sweet. And yes, it's a TV show, but I want him to find fulfilment. So what can you tease about that?
Well, this is the final season, so they kind of leave it all out on the table. Everything to tell gets told and gets closed. And we like happy endings around here, so I'm hoping for that for Will, but you never know. We'll see, I guess.
What have been your favourite moments that are more character-driven this season?
Episode seven in volume 2. I can't talk about it yet, but there are some moments that are just really intimate and special. And anything with Winona [Ryder], honestly. I love working with her and I feel like it's just so easy to play and try things. I don't feel judged. She's such an incredible actress. It just works with her. I love everyone. I think everyone's an incredible actor, but I will say, she is my favorite scene partner.
I love that. Did you know who she was when you first joined the cast?
Oh, that is so embarrassing, but maybe I did not. [Laughs] But I was also 10, so I didn't know anything.
Understandable.
I slowly have cultured myself. And last year, she schooled me in Winona movie education and I watched all her movies. Now, I'm the biggest fan of hers, and I think she's iconic.
That's fantastic. What do you wish you could go back and tell young Noah before season one started filming?
Be present and enjoy the moment because you're going to blink and look back and it'll be over. And take as many pictures as you can, and document it all. And just sit tight, because it gets so good. Just enjoy it.
I just rewatched season one, and was reminded how important your character was in terms of his social development. He was more kid-like than the other boys, and I think so many people can relate to feeling behind in life, or not where their peers are. Is that how you feel looking back?
Oh, absolutely. I talk to Matt Duffer about this all the time, that his queer story of course, resonates with so many young Wills out there. But it isn't just specific to that; that's a universal feeling of feeling left out or feeling different, or being scared to be who you are. We all suffer from that as we grow up. So just getting to help empower people to say, "I am who I am, and I don't care what you think," is the best feeling. And I feel like Will really embraces that this season and will inspire a lot of people for sure. Because you get to see this kid who's always stepped on and is always the victim, and you feel bad for. But this season, he rises up stronger than he's ever been. And it proves to any viewer, if he can do it as that scared little boy who was always stepped on, then I, too, can be my own superhero. I love how our show inspires people.
Siri, play Night Changes by One Direction.
