'Stranger Things' Season 4: Netflix adds last-minute 'violence' disclaimer to show after Texas school shooting

A Netflix spokesperson said: 'We decided to add the card given the proximity of the premiere to this tragedy – and because the opening scene is very graphic'
Eduardo Franco as Argyle, Charlie Heaton as Jonathan, Millie Bobby Brown as Eleven, Noah Schnapp as Will Byers, and Finn Wolfhard as Mike Wheeler in 'Stranger Things' Season 4 (Netflix)
Eduardo Franco as Argyle, Charlie Heaton as Jonathan, Millie Bobby Brown as Eleven, Noah Schnapp as Will Byers, and Finn Wolfhard as Mike Wheeler in 'Stranger Things' Season 4 (Netflix)

Warning: Spoilers ahead

'Stranger Things' Season 4 Volume 1, described as the series’ darkest season yet premieres at midnight Friday, May 27, after a nearly three-year hiatus. However, the premiere will be preceded by a new content warning.

Netflix has decided to add a last-minute disclaimer to the first episode of the latest season of 'Stranger Things', in wake of the school shooting in Texas this week that left 21 people dead, including 19 children. A Netflix spokesperson said: “We decided to add the card given the proximity of the premiere to this tragedy – and because the opening scene is very graphic.”

RELATED ARTICLES

'Stranger Things' Season 4: First 8 minutes leaves fans with 'goosebumps and mixed emotions'

Netflix 'Stranger Things' Season 4: Official episode runtimes tease biggest season yet
 
The last-minute change was announced less than a week after Netflix released the first eight minutes of the premiere episode, which features graphic images of dead children at the Hawkins lab. Netflix has now deleted the sneak peek.

A still from 'Stranger Things' Season 4 (Netflix)

“We filmed this season of ‘Stranger Things’ a year ago. But given the recent tragic shooting at a school in Texas, viewers may find the opening scene of episode 1 distressing,” the content warning will reportedly read. “We are deeply saddened by this unspeakable violence, and our hearts go out to every family mourning a loved one.” Additionally, it has been reported that Netflix has edited the episode 1 description, which now includes the following note: “Warning: Contains graphic violence involving children.” 

The first episode of the show’s fourth season will premiere worldwide on Friday, May 27, just days after the mass shooting at Robb elementary school in Uvalde. The season reportedly opens with a telekinetic massacre that includes the depiction of several dead children covered in blood.

Millie Bobby Brown as Eleven in 'Stranger Things' Season 4 (Netflix)

After the Uvalde shooting on Tuesday, May 24, Lifetime had also delayed the release of their  TV movie 'The Bad Seed Returns', which is about a murderous high school student. Meanwhile, CBS also pulled the season finale of 'FBI', which reportedly included a storyline involving a student’s possible involvement in a deadly robbery.

Volume 1 of ‘Stranger Things’ Season 4 will be streaming exclusively on Netflix on Friday, May 27.
 

GET THE BIGGEST ENTERTAINMENT STORIES
STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

MORE STORIES

'Star Trek: Starfleet Academy' Season 2 brings new family ties and a mysterious cadet aboard the USS Athena.
16 hours ago
Team 7 ventures into another world as Masashi Kishimoto brings new anime and manga projects to the ‘Naruto’ franchise.
16 hours ago
‘True Detective’ Season 5 moves to New York, with Issa López returning.
1 day ago
Rowan faces a new coven, family conflicts and a romance with a secret in 'Mayfair Witches: Salem Coven.'
1 day ago
‘Ghosts’ Season 6 will premiere sometime in early 2027 on CBS
1 day ago
‘Avatar: Seven Havens’ follows an Earthbender named Pavi, who is branded humanity’s destroyer in a world shattered by a cataclysm
1 day ago
‘Avatar: Seven Havens’ will release its next three episodes on October 16 at Paramount+
1 day ago
Blumhouse unveiled its full 2027 slate at New York Comic Con with new trailers and director announcements for horror franchises
1 day ago
‘Boston Blue’ Season 2, starring Donnie Wahlberg, airs every Friday at 10:00 PM ET on CBS.
1 day ago
‘Stargate’ returns to development at Amazon MGM Studios after the studio dropped the series ordered from Martin Gero
1 day ago