Here’s the secret sauce: Gelman never winks at the camera. He plays Murray with absolute seriousness. He treats every ridiculous theory like it’s a Nobel Prize-winning discovery. That’s what makes it so funny—like watching a cat try to open a door by staring at it intensely.
In one scene, Murray whisper-shouts at Joyce about “the truth.” His eyes are wild, his voice cracks, and you can see actual sweat on his forehead. It’s not just acting; it’s a masterclass in commitment to a bit. You can’t fake that level of bonkers.
Who Plays Murray in Stranger Things? | PS Entertainment
When he shares a tender moment with Hopper in the Russian prison, it’s surprisingly moving. Gelman shows us that even the most paranoid person has a soft spot. It’s like finding out your conspiracy-theorist neighbor actually three-knits scarves for stray cats.
But Does Any of This Matter to My Tuesday?
Yes, because Brett Gelman as Murray teaches us something valuable: it’s okay to be a little weird. It’s okay to have a pet conspiracy theory or to laugh at your own jokes. In a world that’s often too serious, Murray is a reminder to find joy in the absurd.
Next time you’re stuck in traffic, imagine what Murray would say. Probably something about the hidden mind-control rays in red traffic lights. And you’ll start smiling. That’s the power of a well-played, wonderfully strange character.
So, who plays Murray? It’s Brett Gelman, a hilarious human who proves that being the “weird one” is actually a superpower. Without him, Stranger Things would be a little less strange, and a lot less fun. And honestly, don’t we all need a little more ridiculous in our lives?
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to check my toaster. Murray would want me to be careful.