Gaten Matarazzo is starring in and promoting the stoner-comedy film "Pizza Movie," which utilizes classic genre tropes and heavy improvisation [1, 2, 3].
The project represents a significant pivot for Matarazzo, who spent nearly 10 years [4] on the series "Stranger Things." By stepping into a different genre, the actor is attempting to move beyond the persona established during his decade-long tenure on the Netflix hit.
Matarazzo said the script for the film was "off-the-wall" [5]. He said the project was a love letter to stoner-movie tropes and noted that he was drawn to the audacity of the material [2, 5]. This shift toward adult-oriented humor marks a departure from the family-friendly nature of his previous work [6, 7].
During a New York interview on April 3, 2026 [3], Matarazzo discussed the production process of the film. He said, "There was a good chunk of improvisation in Pizza Movie" [3]. The actor said he wanted to explore a starkly different style of performance than what audiences expect from him [5].
The film's approach relies on the familiar beats of stoner cinema while incorporating a level of spontaneity in the acting. Matarazzo said, "I remember being obsessed with the audacity of it" [2]. He said he had a clear goal to jump into something starkly different to expand his range as a performer [5].
By embracing a script that prioritizes improvisational comedy, Matarazzo is positioning himself as a versatile lead capable of handling niche comedic genres. The promotion for "Pizza Movie" highlights a transition from child stardom into more experimental, adult-centric roles [5, 7].
“"There was a good chunk of improvisation in Pizza Movie."”
Matarazzo's transition into the stoner-comedy genre is a strategic move to decouple his professional identity from 'Stranger Things.' By selecting a role characterized by improvisation and adult themes, he is signaling to the industry a readiness for mature, character-driven work that deviates from the supernatural-drama mold of his youth.
