* WARNING: This put up incorporates spoilers for Stranger Issues Season 4.
Joseph Quinn’s portrayal of Hawkins’ alleged cult chief, Eddie Munson, struck a literal chord with outdated and new Stranger Issues followers alike when Netflix dropped the fourth season in early summer time 2022. Eddie’s devotion to the Dungeons & Dragons, wrestle with operating away, and his heroic Metallica performance received audiences over globally.
In fact, it could have been far too simple to go one other route with this character. In any case, Eddie was a metalhead and drug vendor, and his friendship now rivalled — and even threatened — the fan-favorite bromance between Dustin Henderson and Steve Harrington. Off the bat (pun unlucky and unintended), viewers might have had one other Billy Hargrove on their arms. Billy’s racism and abuse was chilling, but in addition, disconcertingly real looking. However it could have been reductive to alienate the misfit metal-obsessed nerd from audiences with comparable habits.
Fortunately, Eddie’s compassion, trustworthy reluctance to take care of the supernatural chaos, and limitless flirting with Hawkins’ finest babysitter confirmed the world what Stranger Issues has been highlighting all alongside: heroes come from essentially the most unlikely of locations.
Eddie Munson Defies Small City Prejudice – And Our Personal
(Photograph by Netflix)
Like most of Hawkins, the primary characters initially doubt Eddie’s innocence relating to the Vecna murders. They be taught very quickly how mistaken they had been, although. Hawkins may choose him, however those that really perceive Eddie Munson — just like the Hellfire Membership and his Uncle Wayne — know higher.
Eddie “The Freak” Munson is an outcast via and thru, which is why the townspeople paint him as a satanic cult chief with free morals. Even earlier than the murders, fellow classmates and friends poke enjoyable at his pursuits. In some methods, his story mirrors Winona Ryder’s — generally, it doesn’t matter what you’ve carried out, you may by no means be sufficient for folks.
At his core, Eddie resonates with so many as a result of he’s so completely different.
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A metallic fan within the ‘80s, you may count on him to be chauvinistic or homophobic, however he’s removed from it. Inside minutes of dismissing Erica Sinclair as a worthy participant in his marketing campaign, he accepts her. Eddie instantly defers to Nancy Wheeler’s management. He’s deeply dedicated to artwork however thoughtful. He swears by nonconformity however stands by neighborhood.
Subverting expectations in all places he goes, Eddie is a protected area for the outcast in all of us.
Eddie Munson Challenges Masculine Norms with Kindness and Vulnerability
(Photograph by Netflix)
It makes excellent sense why the web latched on to Eddie Munson.
Whereas his interactions with the tragic Chrissy Cunningham morphed into a catchy tune that is stuck in even actor Joseph Quinn’s head, his concern over the cheerleader undeniably drew audiences into his heat gaze. Early on, he has no clue what demons Chrissy faces, however TikTok person and actor Brittany Grove’s analysis of Joseph Quinn’s physique language reveals how, in a single scene, Eddie effortlessly places Chrissy comfortable. That’s, till Eddie quickly witnesses Chrissy’s brutal homicide and runs away.
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Many followers famous how writers foreshadowed his tendency to run, when, as Dungeon Grasp, Eddie tells his social gathering, “There isn’t any disgrace in operating.” As lovely as this private philosophy is, he later expresses nothing however disgrace when confronting how he left Chrissy alone. But none of Eddie’s buddies punish him for being afraid. As an alternative, they validate him.
It’s additionally necessary to notice Eddie by no means sexualizes any feminine character. Not solely does this problem the norm inside canon, it underlines how simple it’s not to hyper-sexualize Stranger Issues actresses like Millie Bobby Brown. His means to respect ladies and share how he feels doesn’t cancel out his persona… or that badass guitar solo.
Why Eddie Munson and Steve Harrington’s Relationship is Refreshing
(Photograph by Netflix)
Fairly than lean in to a predictable dynamic of macho rivalry, Joseph Quinn improvised lines hinting at Eddie having a crush on Steve Harrington. The 2 share a heartwarming second within the woods amid Vecna’s mayhem the place Steve comforts Eddie after they admit they had been jealous of one another.
This interplay issues.
It issues as a result of two monster-slaying boys set time apart to handle how they really feel and acknowledge the very actual insecurities they’d. Fairly than telling one another to “man up” or placed on masks of bravado, Eddie and Steve get actual with themselves and one another. Truthfully, romantic or not, it’s refreshing to see Steve, who goes from being a people-pleasing jock to bat-swinging caretaker over the course of the present, make a buddy his age.
“I like you, man,” Eddie Munson says to Dustin earlier than dying. There’s little doubt Eddie’s phrases will make it within the corridor of fame of Stranger Issues quotes. (Unsurprisingly, Joseph Quinn additionally improvised these last words. He’s tapped into the nuance of his character with genius.)
Eddie’s tears or generally comedic screams don’t undermine any of his sacrifice — it doesn’t imply any much less due to how loudly he feels. If something, his sacrifice means extra.
Joseph Quinn’s Portrayal as Eddie Reveals the Significance of Discovered Household
(Photograph by Netflix)
One other enormous motive why Eddie issues past the realm of tv is how his arc factors to how necessary it’s to seek out neighborhood. When coping with body-snapping telepathy or extra frequent life stressors, it’s necessary to not really feel alone. The Hellfire Membership was not only a method to cross the time with D&D, however a spot the place outsiders might belong. (The shirts promoting out reveals simply how a lot viewers can relate.)
The reality is, it wasn’t simply Eddie who was caught in a field society created for him. He overtly shares his misguided first impressions with the Hawkins gang, from Erica’s youth to doubting Steve’s good nature. The distinction between him and a personality like Billy or Jason is his means to simply accept when he’s mistaken. He even accepts these new characters as his buddies.
Even with a complete neighborhood towards him, he held compassion for “misplaced sheep” till the very finish.
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Eddie Munson tugs at so many hearts due to his personal. Followers have fun him not regardless of his eccentricity, quips, or quirks, however as a result of of them. Regardless of the city’s opinions of him, he stays type and spreads the gospel of excellent music motivation via all types of hazard. It’s no surprise the Stranger Issues fandom is pumping out idea after idea on how he might return.
Whether or not he does or not, one factor is for sure: Eddie Munson comforts and evokes anybody who’s ever felt like they had been “an excessive amount of.”
By no means change and relaxation in peace, Eddie.