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Watch the fiery ‘Stranger Things’ SAG acceptance speech — and Winona Ryder’s priceless reactions

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January 29, 2017 at 11:33 p.m. EST
The cast of Netflix’s “Stranger Things” (Millie Bobby Brown, Natalia Dyer, Noah Schnapp, Winona Ryder, David Harbour, Finn Wolfhard, and Gaten Matarazzo) at the SAG Awards. (Getty Images )

The cast of Netflix’s “Stranger Things” jumped for joy when the show won the trophy for best ensemble in a drama series — maybe because the cast is full of adorable tweens who aren’t yet jaded by Hollywood.

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But even the grown-ups were on their feet for David Harbour’s fiery acceptance speech, in which he called for actors to use their influence and their craft to “battle against fear” in the culture, and to help remind people that they’re not alone. Harbour, who plays police chief Jim Hopper in the spooky sci-fi series about a young boy who goes missing, shouted most of the speech, and the crowd cheered through it all.

And it’s not a viral moment without a meme involved. Though Harbour’s words were fierce, star Winona Ryder’s priceless (and confusing) facial expressions nearly stole the whole thing.

Watch it all here, via the SAG Twitter account, or just scroll down for the Winona memes and text of the speech below:

Here’s the spotlight on Winona:

https://twitter.com/EW/status/825899566092402692

https://twitter.com/SAGawards/status/825915373769748480

Harbour’s speech: “I would just like to say that in light of all that’s going on in the world today, it’s difficult to celebrate the already celebrated ‘Stranger Things.’ But this award from you, who take your craft seriously and earnestly believe, like me, that great acting can change the world, is a call to arms from our fellow craftsmen and women to go deeper, and through our art to battle against fear, self-centeredness and exclusivity of our predominantly narcissistic culture. And through our craft, to cultivate a more empathetic and understanding society by revealing intimate truths that serve as a forceful reminder to folks that when they feel broken and afraid and tired, they are not alone.

We are united in that we are all human beings and we are all together on this horrible, painful, joyous, exciting and mysterious ride that is being alive.

Now, as we act in the continuing narrative of ‘Stranger Things,’ we 1983 Midwesterners will repel bullies. We will shelter freaks and outcasts, those who have no hope. We will get past the lies. We will hunt monsters. And when we are at a loss against the hypocrisy and the casual violence of certain individuals and institutions, we will, as per Chief Jim Hopper, punch some people in the face when they seek to destroy the weak and the disenfranchised and the marginalized. We will do it all with soul, with heart, and with joy. We thank you for this responsibility. Thank you.”

Read more:

In a dismal movie season, ‘Stranger Things’ is our great summer blockbuster

Netflix renews ‘Stranger Things’ for Season 2 — here’s what to expect

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