Gaten Matarazzo responds to Winona Ryder’s comments that Gen-Z are put off by long movies: “I’ve got to give my generation a bit more credit”

nme.com:

Stranger Things’ Gaten Matarazzo has responded to Winona Ryder’s comments that Gen Z viewers are put off by long films, arguing his generation deserves “more credit”.In August, Ryder, who plays Joyce Byers in the Netflix show, commented that she believes young people today are less interested in films than previous generations, saying: “Like, the first thing they say is, ‘How long is it?’”.Now, Matarazzo, 22, who plays Dustin Henderson in the show, has responded to her sentiments, issuing a strong defence of his cohort, saying: “I’ve got to give my generation a bit more credit”.In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, he added: “Just because there isn’t the ritual of going to the theater, it doesn’t necessarily mean that there aren’t people who are invested [in film].”“I think that [my generation] are a lot more critical of the information and the entertainment that they obtain and absorb.

It’s made for a more nuanced approach to how people watch movies, and I think it’s going to continue on an upward scale. People in my generation are going to be really excited about jumping in, and while it may not be as universal, I think the people that are invested are incredibly invested.

They have so much research at their disposal, and they can watch every movie that’s ever been made if they want to.”“But I do notice that the fun ritual experience of seeing stuff in the theater is fading,” he added. “There’s a few pockets here and there that are trying to keep it alive, and I would love to see people going to theaters more.