'Stranger Things' star Gaten Matarazzo slammed for 'cruel' Netflix series that tricks unsuspecting employees
Stranger Things’ Gaten Matarazzo’s upcoming Netflix series plans to ruin people’s work days, and people want it canceled.
On Friday, Matarazzo tweeted a news article announcing Prank Encounters, a new 8-episode Netflix series hosted and executive produced by the 16-year-old. The show is filmed with hidden cameras and tricks unsuspecting workers — who believe they’re embarking on their first day at a new job — into a chaotic orientation.
“Each episode of this terrifying and hilarious prank show takes two complete strangers who each think they’re starting their first day at a new job,” reads a Netflix press release. “It’s business as usual until their paths collide and these part-time jobs turn into full-time nightmares.” The show, which has been compared to Ashton Kutcher’s successful Punk’d series, will reportedly air in late 2019.
— Gaten Matarazzo (@GatenM123) June 14, 2019
But tweeters criticized the teen actor of workplace harassment and “genuine cruelty,” especially due to Matarazzo’s success at such a young age. And people searching for work took his new gig personally.
great, something else for the unemployed to worry about. 🙄
— Gigi F. Diaz 💃🏻 (@factspusher) June 15, 2019
The optics on this are terrible my dude, let alone the ethics
— Guy Incognito (@Mighty_Kites) June 15, 2019
Cancel this.
— Maiya 🐺 (@MaiyaWolf_) June 14, 2019
This most DEFINITELY ain’t it chief.
— David Toons (@DavidToonsYT) June 15, 2019
I really hope you reconsider this. The concept sounds beyond awful. Nothing remotely funny about the concept. Just mean spirited.
— Steven (@Duffelupagus) June 15, 2019
Please don't do this. Please be better than this. It's creating real harm.
— Luis is always sleepy (@luisperezart) June 15, 2019
Genuine cruelty. Do better @netflix .
— Mimsy Clemente ⚾️ (@MimsyYamaguchi) June 15, 2019
It is very depressing to be out of work. I am speaking as someone who has been thru three totally random layoffs.
The added stress of a day enduring this "prank" could be the event that pushes a vulnerable person to suicide, or murder-suicide.
Think about the lawsuits.— Moe Murph (@MamurphyMaureen) June 15, 2019
Yeah no, plenty of my family have struggled trying to get jobs, so to see people get "Pranked" on hope of finding a job is fucking disgusting. Hope it's canceled and massive respect lost.
— IndieTimmie (@IndieTimmie) June 15, 2019
This is horrific. What's the next season going to be about--contacting families of missing persons and telling them their loved one was found? The sky's the limit!
— Mrs. Go (@theheauxhouse) June 15, 2019
A Netflix spokesperson tells Yahoo Entertainment, “The pranks in Prank Encounters are spooky, supernatural, and over the top, and everyone had a great time. All participants came in with the expectation this was a one-day, hourly gig and everyone got paid for their time.”
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