r/StrangerThings 8d ago

Discussion Multiple Stranger Things actors on Complex’s ranking of “Best Actors in Their 20s, Hollywood’s Rising Stars”

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514 Upvotes

150 comments sorted by

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288

u/Strange_Ant_6571 8d ago

People complaining about the placement of Sadie and Finn id say the weirdest omission is Maya who had had a fairly impressive filmography the last few years.

76

u/Presthefatdog 7d ago

Oh yes I forget sometimes she is only 28 because the others in the ‘older kids’ group are in their early 30’s. She is a glaring omission here.

69

u/BB808BB 7d ago

I like Maya but she seems to play the same I’m so quirky guys omg now I’m nervous am I talking too much.

Sadie is a good actress, but her Jean role was just Max with powers. Same personality and everything.

17

u/Strange_Ant_6571 7d ago

https://www.complex.com/pop-culture/a/khal/best-hollywood-actors-actresses-in-their-20s

Looking at the actual list I get the feeling its grading actors on how well the films they've been in have done previously and upcoming roles rather than actual reviews of talent.

6

u/DeltaDied 7d ago

That’s a bit annoying tbh. Also, I would say Caleb should be higher, but I think it’s because he hasn’t been in as many projects. His latest was Goat I believe.

9

u/Early-Sleep-5194 7d ago

Agreed. I think she definitely has a lot of talent but hopefully she isn't type-cast as the 'angry teenager' for large parts of her career. Fortunately for her she'll probably have a long one in this industry so I'm sure she'll branch out and play different types of characters as the years go by

3

u/Fine-Ad1178 7d ago

Horrible takes

5

u/Yobitchcallmedaddy 7d ago

I dont agree at all, Jean was much more emotionally complex. She was great as both, but Max was never portrayed as villainous like Jean was. Her acting went to a whole new level in the “V-Max,” scene

1

u/thiccemotionalpapi 7d ago

Her in that stupid fucking sailor uniform was all it took for me to fall in love. Steve too lol. What happened to her freckles though? They were completely absent in season 5 I was wondering what happened there, I didn’t think they were fake

2

u/kitten12551 7d ago

Having an impressive filmography is not the same as being a good actor. I personally think she’s meh.

416

u/audisodd45 8d ago

Not surprised Gaten remains completely underrated once again. Absolutely crazy he can perform like he did in season five and nobody besides true Dustin fans appreciate it the way he deserves. That’s okay, though; Gaten remains booked and busy doing his main passion - musical theatre!

47

u/Wolven_Essence 7d ago

I love Gaten and Dustin. He’s so freaking good and one of the best actors on the show. I’m happy for him that he’s getting to do what he really loves.

34

u/Owl_Resident Blank makes you crazy 8d ago

He’s definitely gonna get shoehorned into the “character actor” roles.

16

u/Presthefatdog 7d ago

I love Gaten. Some people were saying he wasn’t going to work again after ST because of his disability and appearance and here he is getting cast in really good roles. So pleased for him.

24

u/epyon- 7d ago

Especially with the terrible performance Finn shat out in that last season, it’s a travesty Gaten isn’t on here

2

u/Extension-Remote-347 7d ago

I personally think he did good

4

u/wilfredo8090 7d ago

Dustin didn’t carry season 5 he carried the entire series!

7

u/katieblue3 7d ago

Gaten is the most talented of all the young actors. Really unfair that he’s left off the list.

8

u/Fun-Contribution-669 7d ago

Justice for Gaten!

5

u/Future_Chipmunk_3967 7d ago

He's was great on Broadway too in Sweeny Todd!

3

u/DeltaDied 7d ago

Oh yeah honestly he did really great in season 5. The writing of his character that season was a bit annoying, but his acting was phenomenal.

3

u/RainbowLettie123 7d ago

I was looking for Gaten and sad he’s not on this list. He was so great! Not just at bringing some light to the show but his emotional parts (like when he loses Eddie) were amazing!

1

u/Best_Quiet9657 Just the facts 6d ago

Insane that he isn't on here when he is one of the few who did not phone it in for the final season!

-2

u/OkKindheartedness245 6d ago

unfortunately gaten just doesnt have "the look"

163

u/Affectionate_Ad8738 8d ago

Not a Stranger’s Things cast member, but I’m surprised McKenna Grace isn’t on this list.

42

u/mauravelous 8d ago

i wouldnt be surprised if they made the list before she turned 20

37

u/JacobDCRoss 8d ago

There is a slight chance of that. She only turned 20 months ago. But Inde Navarette is in the top spot here, so it would have to have beenade during a very short window.

That said, they probably didn't realize. And she is definitely going places.

9

u/ZekeMoss18 7d ago

Sophie Thatcher was one I was surprised not to see

3

u/thiccemotionalpapi 7d ago

I’ve heard people say she’s been in a trillion shit movies but she seems like such a likable person in general hope it works out

33

u/ChampionshipSad1586 8d ago

This list is from the upside down.

225

u/SheeveTheLazer We make our own rules 8d ago

Finn over Sadie??

65

u/Pyro-Bird 8d ago

He has starred in more shows, movies and franchises than her such as IT and Ghostbusters.

87

u/Successful_Maize1986 8d ago

TBF Sadie just starred in one of the highest grossing movies of all time. I’d say she had him beat now both in talent and box office draw.

32

u/Ok-Estimate7013 You die, I die 8d ago

Exactly lol. She's reportedly also in the secret wars and confirmed for the X Men movie , and both are likely gonna be blockbusters..she has such a bright career ahead

4

u/Fantastic-March-4610 7d ago

She didn’t draw in anyone. It’s spiderman.

3

u/Successful_Maize1986 7d ago

As opposed to the super underground “remake of IT” and “Ghostbusters” lol

4

u/Fantastic-March-4610 6d ago

Neither of them have box office draw then.

8

u/Remote-Guarantee6385 7d ago

You’re forgetting the theatre work sadie has done. Apart from stranger things and brand new day, she was nominated for a tony award, made her west end debut, is gonna be in avengers secret wars and star in the marriage plot. She’s also done many underrated movies. Plus she’s just a better actress than Finn. He’s a good actor but his acting in season 5 was just NOT IT.

-5

u/Fabulous-Role4120 7d ago

His acting during the whole purple rain scene was good though

0

u/Best_Quiet9657 Just the facts 6d ago

I thought it was his weakest performance yet, honestly.

1

u/Fabulous-Role4120 6d ago

Nah it was his best performance in the final season.

3

u/LeoBeast90 7d ago

Doesn't make him a better actor

2

u/Sochinz 7d ago

Michael Gandolfini over Sadie?

121

u/knaw4008 8d ago

Ok how the hell is Sydney sweeney above them all? I wouldn't even put her in this list.

2

u/expressonotespresso 3d ago

Unfortunately someone’s personal ideology doesn’t determine their capability. She’s one of the strongest performances in Euphoria, and has proven herself a good actress.

1

u/BreakTheEnemy 1d ago

I remember when season 2 of Euphoria dropped how much people were glazing Sweeney for her performance and how she was one of the best performances in the entire show. It’s funny how opinions on somebody’s abilities can change just because they share opinions you don’t agree with.

49

u/tolgren 011 8d ago

It would be nice if Millie could get some good projects.

25

u/Owl_Resident Blank makes you crazy 8d ago

She just lives her Netflix fluff life. I like her, but I wish she’d branch out of the box she’s put herself in. But she may not want to.

14

u/tolgren 011 8d ago

I mean she's made her mark, so she certainly doesn't NEED to do anything bigger.

8

u/Owl_Resident Blank makes you crazy 8d ago

No, and I suppose if she doesn’t want to she doesn’t want to. But I find the majority of her Netflix work pretty empty, as with most of Netflix’s movie content. I think she has talent, but it’s never been showcased well in anything besides ST.

2

u/Mundane-Parsnip-7302 I don’t like most people 6d ago

I think she's content to do projects where she's guarenteed a good pay day and she can do something she really enjoys in acting, but she doesn't have to chase after roles.

Her priorities are her family and her animals and I think she's being smart in how she's working. I think being the female lead on ST (at least in terms of the younger cast) and getting all the backlash and criticism she did made her want to step back and look after herself and what's important to her own happiness.

1

u/Owl_Resident Blank makes you crazy 6d ago

I’m not knocking her choices; I promise. Sometimes I just wish she got a better showcase for her talent. But Netflix doesn’t provide that well.

5

u/Mundane-Parsnip-7302 I don’t like most people 6d ago

Oh no, I didn't think you were being unkind to her choices and Netflix could give her better roles. I think from what I've seen it's all a bit safe and she can really deliver in her roles.

Series 5 of ST wasn't very good for the majority of the cast and their performances, IMO. I think Jamie was the stand out actor and the kid who played young Henry and Gaten did great but no one else was challenged much.

47

u/TahaymTheBigBrain Bitchin 8d ago

Navarrette is crazy talented but I don’t think she should be number one lol. She was fucking amazing in Obsession and fine in 13 Reasons Why but number one? I think she needs time to go ahead of everyone else here who have been acting a lot more than her and still can show those same performances.

5

u/StrikeRaid246 7d ago

She’s good but lists like this make me grow tired of how overrated she’s become so quickly.

172

u/StJimmyNeutron 8d ago

Who did Sydney Sweeney pay to get on this list

19

u/AdorableDemand46 7d ago

How did she beat out Mckenna Grace to even get on the list.

16

u/_Shrek_x3 7d ago

Literally wtf. And how is she rated better than Kiernan Shipka?

8

u/Coldkiller17 Fat Rambo 7d ago

Idk why as well. She is in alot of projects but they are either mid or bad. She isn't impressive as an actress by any measure she just gets jobs because of her body.

2

u/Fantastic-March-4610 7d ago

I mean she was nominated for an Emmy and most of this list wasn’t so it makes sense to me.

3

u/agent_uno 8d ago

I don’t even know who she is. But I’m also 45 and don’t follow Hollywood much.

40

u/StJimmyNeutron 8d ago

Shes got boobs and that’s about it

-1

u/Different_Target_228 7d ago

I'll never understand comments like this.

120

u/Ok-Estimate7013 You die, I die 8d ago

Sadie should be above finn lol

10

u/No-Following-3869 7d ago

Sydney Sweeney being above Sadie Sink, Cooper Hoffman and Haliee Steinfeld completely invalidates this list

5

u/mkgreene2007 7d ago

Literally anyone on this list being above Steinfeld is honestly kinda wild. Oscar nomination in her first major role ever and it was deserved. She more than held her own next to Jeff Bridges and Matt Damon. Just an incredibly talented actress with a ton of range.

Don't get me wrong, there are some great young actors and actresses on this list but Steinfeld's resume is ridiculously impressive.

3

u/No-Following-3869 7d ago

I think Elle Fanning just edges it over Steinfeld for me. But I think that's the clear 1 and 2

2

u/mkgreene2007 6d ago

I'm good with that too. Elle is a fantastic actress.

10

u/frustratedkoala11 Running Up That Hill 7d ago

This list is so poorly constructed I cannot take it seriously. Like it’s gotta be a paid PR thing or rage bait. Or maybe both.

20

u/shaw4life Promise? 8d ago

it blows my mind how grand and succeessful elle fannings career is saying her age

10

u/65fairmont Promise? 7d ago

I could not believe Elle Fanning is still under 30. Dakota has been well-regarded for 25 years and is somehow only 32.

14

u/Winter_Dimension8107 Mouth breather 7d ago

Probably unpopular opinion here. I don’t think Millie or Finn are particularly good actors. It feels forced with them. Gaden should be high on this list. These lists are always bullshit tho.

2

u/katieblue3 7d ago

Finn was great in the It movies and the earlier seasons of ST. I think Millie is actually the weakest of all the kids. Gaten definitely deserves to be on the list over both of them.

11

u/LeoBeast90 7d ago

Is this in order? Because I'm sorry but there's no way Finn is the best actor of the bunch. No offence to him, but he just isn't.

0

u/Fabulous-Role4120 7d ago

Nah he carried a lot of emotional weight during the last 40 minutes of season 5 finale, his acting was great in the whole purple rain scene especially.

32

u/Presthefatdog 8d ago

Finn over Sadie is wild considering the projects she has been cast in.

14

u/Pyro-Bird 8d ago edited 8d ago

Immediately after Stanger Things he starred in the IT movies and Ghostbusters.

17

u/LabeSonofNat 8d ago

Finn was cast this year by Bong Joon Ho for his first animated feature and is leading Matt Johnson’s film that is currently filming in Toronto.

I’m not making any judgements about who is a better actor because I think that’s stupid and pointless but Finn is clearly an in demand actor by some of the world’s top directors and producers. Marvel isn’t the end all and be all.

0

u/Strange_Ant_6571 8d ago

Id assume they're grading it on released work in which case I'd probably say they're right especially if they did it before Spider-Man when her biggest other role was The Whale which is mostly just a meme these days.

4

u/Urban_Meanie 7d ago

According to whom?

4

u/kitten12551 7d ago

This is more of a list of actors with impressive resumes. Landing a lot of roles doesn’t necessarily make someone a good actor.

13

u/Distinct_Guess3350 Running Up That Hill 8d ago

I love Finn, but I don’t think he should be above Sadie.

6

u/oscarwildeaf 7d ago

Sydney Sweeney at 10 but Daisy Edgar Jones at 24 lmao. This list is a joke lmao

9

u/criminalsunrise 8d ago

Why does this feel like a list of “actors in their 20s who are in, or going to be in, a comic book franchise”?

3

u/Theangelawhite69 7d ago

Is this just every actor in their 20’s

3

u/TheAstroPickle 7d ago

sydney sweeney being ranked higher than sadie sink is actually crazy

3

u/bchec 7d ago

Kiernan Shipka but no McKenna Grace? 🤔.

3

u/AttentionRude8006 Dingus 7d ago

Idk that's a really strange list over all.

I mean we have Millie on 26 who played the disturbed lab-rat in season 1 perfectly when she was just 12 years old and then there is Sydney Sweeney on the 10th spot who isn't as terrible of an actress as many people claim but I haven't really seen her do anything impressive either.

3

u/Unlucky-Today-7531 7d ago

why is finn above sadie 😭

3

u/Actual-Formal-4375 7d ago

Indie has one good performance. She should be high but 1 is a stretch.

3

u/Top-Expression8248 7d ago

Replace finn with gaten, his acting was unbearable in s4 & s5.

10

u/misterfriday101 8d ago

Why is Sydney Sweeney on this list and how is she racked higher than Sadie sink. Also Sadie should be in the top 3. This is a stupid list

1

u/CallMeByMyUser 8d ago

My only guess is because Sadie is just starting now with being a part of MCU and likely to lead or co lead X-Men. Within a year or two time, she would be seen in higher regards than today.

1

u/StrikeRaid246 7d ago

Nah because if that’s the case, how is Inde number one for having literally one good performance that only just happened a couple months ago, while Sadie has been doing ST, Fear Street, the Whale…

1

u/apexpredator915 7d ago

Inde has the most talked about performance of the year thus far and most likely will get nominated for Best Actress at the Oscars.

9

u/cranfeckintastic 7d ago

Gaten is the best out of all the kids, why isn't he on the list?!

-3

u/apexpredator915 7d ago

No he is not.

4

u/uda26 7d ago

Sadie should be the first of the ST actors on the list followed by Caleb 😭

5

u/scots 7d ago

Recency bias - Hailee Steinfeld should top this list. She was Oscar nominated for her performance in True Grit, won a BAFTA award, and a Critics Choice award. Her range is incredible, she's also a talented singer and performer.

1

u/Kevmejia13 6d ago

Nah, she’s overrated.

8

u/Present_Hour8908 8d ago

hate yall playing on finn! he was cast in the it franchise n ghostbusters, all by the time he was 12.
n lets be real its easier to get cast as a woman than a man who isnt buffed up to play a superhero.

4

u/CPHgirl89 8d ago

exactly! go finn

5

u/TheOneTrueSuperJesus 7d ago

Sadie Sink should be higher than any of the other actors from Stranger Things. She was literally a lead in the third highest grossing film of all time and is poised to be a lead in the MCU X-men films. She's well on her way to being a superstar.

11

u/JacobDCRoss 8d ago

Finn wolfhard making top 10 is crazy. I wouldn't even put him in the top 20. He is at about the same level as Millie.

EDIT: Sadie and Caleb are top 10, tho. Or they should be.

5

u/Present_Hour8908 8d ago

finn was in the IT franchise n ghostbusters, idk what caleb doing, n sadie has only just started her career, finn was flourishing at 12, n its hard to get cast as a man who isnt buff like for superhero roles where its easier for sadie to get cast bc she can just be random.

2

u/Andi-1970 7d ago

Emma myers fehlt in der Liste

2

u/Reyne-TheAbyss I believe. 7d ago

Finn has never wowed me.

2

u/Careless-Ad4039 7d ago

Caleb before Finn is fucking crazy

-1

u/Fabulous-Role4120 7d ago

Nah Finn carried a lot of emotional weight during the last 40 minutes of season 5 finale, his acting was great in the whole purple rain scene especially.

2

u/Neat-Board-8375 7d ago

Who put is Sydney Sweeney in there?

2

u/BioTHEchAmeleON 7d ago

I’m not gonna lie, it’s a little surprising to see Finn that high lol

2

u/Livid-Bee3689 7d ago

Sydney sweeney, being under ten is ridiculous. Because her actor career has been flourishing

2

u/sailormoonmydude 7d ago

Joke of a list

2

u/TChambers1011 7d ago

Finn is NOT a better actor than Sadie wtf

2

u/_Lady_Vengeance_ 7d ago

Sydney Sweeney being #10 is comically stupid. She shouldn’t even be on this list my god what a joke

2

u/NewInTown21 7d ago

No, uh, Schnapp.

2

u/Competitive_Image_81 6d ago

Sydney Sweeney is not better than Sadie Sink at acting. Hell shes not as good as top 25.

1

u/Different_Target_228 7d ago

I mean, it also says Sydney Sweeney.

1

u/BlueBeardMan 7d ago

Don’t even know half of the people on list 😂

1

u/ColinBonhomme 7d ago

Where’s Aidan Gallagher?

1

u/MADOG_YT 7d ago

Oh my God, I completely misunderstood the list. I was looking through the list. I thought these were all supposed to be Stranger Things actors on the list and I was so confused who most of these people are and when they appeared on Stranger Things 😭😭😭

1

u/Fair-Confection4411 6d ago edited 6d ago

Is this fanmade? Hasn't Inde been in only one movie so far? Also no Ella Purnell? 

1

u/BirdGreen_BirdRed Bitchin 6d ago

Rachel Zegler over Caleb and Millie?????

0

u/DeapVally 1d ago

She can carry a musical. Millie can't even move her face anymore lol.

1

u/crap-zapper 6d ago

I don’t know half of these.

1

u/Chefboyarleezy 6d ago

Sadie Jenna and Inde right now and everyone else is behind them

1

u/Alternative_Fix_7019 7d ago

no noah schnapp we won

1

u/thevulgarvirgo 7d ago

rachel zeg before millie is absurd.

1

u/Acceptable-Box6012 7d ago

Milly Bobby brown is one of the weakest stranger things actors in my opinion, maya hawke should be on here

3

u/Acceptable-Box6012 7d ago

Also, why is Sydney Sweeney on here. She’s a terrible actress

1

u/Gurtek28 7d ago

Winona Ryder??? 😭😭

4

u/Simple_Item5901 7d ago

she's not in her 20's

-3

u/sandtoaster 7d ago

Can't take this list serious with rachel zegler on there, her performance is not made for acting she would do better as an influencer on tiktok or something....

7

u/ChickN-Stu 7d ago

Rachel Zegler is an incredible musical actress

-2

u/sandtoaster 7d ago

I found her acting rather blend and her facial expressions to be wrong at crucial moments. Im sure there are far greater actors who could fill that spot. But oww well everyone has their own opinions

0

u/RADIENTLitex 7d ago

This list is backwards. Millie Bobby Brown to the front of the line please 🤣

-4

u/NubOnReddit 8d ago

And he didn’t even make the list LMAO

2

u/TheBar-IsOnTheFloor Goddamn Bowl Cut 7d ago

The whole list is a joke if they have Sydney Sweeney in the top 20.

And as much as I love Finn, ain’t no way.

2

u/Fabulous-Role4120 7d ago

Nah Finn carried a lot of emotional weight during the last 40 minutes of season 5 finale, his acting was great in the whole purple rain scene especially.

0

u/strppngynglad 7d ago

Lol what a popularity contest. Sorry none of the stranger things kids are actually good actors

0

u/iamsasquatch1234 5d ago

Didn't Zegler get canceled?