For the last six months or so, the news has been awash with allegations and recollections of abuse in Hollywood. It all started with Harvey Weinstein, who was accused by upwards of 80 women of some sort of sexual harassment or untoward behavior, and the finger-pointing snowballed from there.
Most recently, Matt and Ross Duffer, the brothers who write, produce, and direct Stranger Things, were accused of verbal abuse by Peyton Brown, a grip for the show.
Last week, Brown posted this statement on Instagram:
"I guess there’s no better day than #nationalwomensday to say #timesup and announce that I will not be a part of the filming of Season 3 of Stranger Things. Why, you ask? Because I stand with my sisters.
"I personally witnessed two men in high positions of power on that set seek out and verbally abuse multiple women. I promised myself that if I were ever in a situation to say something that I would.
"I have 11.5 thousand followers who can hear me say this, TIME IS UP. Women in the film industry are POWERFUL. We will rise and we will scream from mountain tops in support of each other and I will not contribute my time, efforts, and talent to such abusive people.
"There is too much going on in this world to be regressive. There are too many amazing and highly respected men in respective positions of power that I have had the utmost pleasure of working beside. Those are the people I want to surround myself with. Those are the projects I want to be a part of. This industry is no longer led by a “few good men,” but instead by an OCEAN of ASTOUNDING WOMEN. Enough is enough. For my sisters- Time is up."
Though she didn't implicate the Duffer brothers directly, it was quickly assumed that they were the "two men in high positions of power" that Brown was talking about. Later on, she admitted this was true in a comment on the post, but it has since been deleted.
The brothers have not directly acknowledged that the comments were aimed at them, but instead released a statement saying that they are "upset" by the allegations.
"We are deeply upset to learn that someone felt uncomfortable on our set," they said.
"We think it is important not to mischaracterize our set, where we believe strongly in treating everyone fairly regardless of gender, orientation, race, religion, or anything else. We remain totally committed to providing a safe and collaborative working environment for everyone on our productions."
Netflix has since provided a statement on the matter, too, and sided with the Duffers in their findings.
"We looked into the concern that was raised when we heard of the allegation on Thursday, and found no wrongdoing," Netflix said via a spokesperson. "Maintaining a safe, respectful atmosphere on set is important to us, and we know it is to the Duffer Brothers as well."
The "multiple women" that Brown mentioned have not spoken up for themselves at this time and, unless they do, it is likely that this will be the end of the matter.
