Netflix finally responds. On Screenrant's update on the situation, a Netflix spokesperson said this in response to the public backlash...
17 June, 2019 by Fonticha Tran
Remember Prank Encounters, the controversial new hidden camera prank show? The eight-episode Netflix series that's to be hosted by Stranger Things' star, Gaten Matarazzo, and set to be released later this year?
In a gist, Prank Encounters is about two complete strangers who thinks they're just starting on the first day of their new part-time job. Everything starts out in a usual way, but not long after, it all quickly spirals downhill into a full-blown nightmare.
Quick recap: the public flooded Gaten's Twitter to criticise both the young Stranger Things star and the series with the majority calling for the cancellation of the 'disgusting' and 'cruel' upcoming Netflix series.
"Oh good, bullying people who are already stressed out from not being able to find a job."
“I honestly can't believe this got greenlighted.”
"I hope you and the producers of this show get sued. This is despicable"
"You're about to be cancelled."
We all get it. In this time and age, unemployment is definitely an issue and for some, it hits a little too close to home.
It's most definitely not a laughing matter.
So, what's going to happen? Will Netflix pull the plug on 'Prank Encounters'? Will this spiral out of control and will Gaten Matarazzo be the next victim of the 'cancel culture'?
Probably not.
Because Netflix's spokesperson has finally responded:
"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."
So, does this clear up the situation? Looking at all the initial backlash, it seemed like what the public was mostly concerned about was the idea that these 'unemployed' participants were going into a job thinking it was a long-term gig. Essentially, they took the job thinking that it'd bring them employment.
Not only that, but the public had also assumed these 'pranks' were going to be along the lines of a very, very angry customer or a boss intent on making their shift as miserable as possible, i.e., making it a 'full-blown nightmare'.
However, in light of this statement, it looks like all the participants were just expecting a one day job and the pranks were all preplanned to be ridiculously over the top, and in a supernatural way, no less.
Overall, the audience would be laughing at the participants' expression when these supernatural pranks occur and perhaps at the ensuing 'WTF?!' looks on their faces.
All in all, no harm done really. It looks like the only criminal thing was the way the concept of the series was marketed. #Fail
UPDATE: Gaten Matarazzo BREAKS His Silence And Responds To The 'Prank Encounters' Controversy
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Fonticha Tran is a news writer at Exclusive Hollywood and is also responsible for researching and writing news articles. She also keeps track of the celebrities’ on our watchlist while monitoring their social media for any new updates.
Fun fact: Besides constantly being on Twitter and reading up on her favourite celebrities' newest tweets, she's busy rewatching Stranger Things and The Umbrella Academy.
