A social-media backlash targeting God of War character Laufey has drawn a sharp response from Vincent D’Onofrio, who defended his former Daredevil co-star Deborah Ann Woll.
Why Laufey Became the Target
A small but vocal group of online commenters has criticised Santa Monica Studio’s portrayal of female characters, arguing that the studio prioritises feminism over conventional attractiveness. One post called for a boycott of God of War Laufey and claimed the developer would rather risk financial failure than make its female characters more appealing.
The account behind the post, wrote the X account, also presented its position as a call to action for players. The post specifically focused on Faye, the character played by Woll.
D’Onofrio Comes to Woll’s Defence
D’Onofrio, who worked with Woll on Daredevil, replied directly. He rejected the criticism and praised Woll’s appearance, talent, intelligence and kindness, while also describing her as a close friend and fellow nerd.
“Not that you asked, but… In no way do I agree with you. Deborah is beautiful and extremely talented. She is as smart as a whip and a complete nerd. Also incredibly kind. How perfect she is! And a good friend. I am a fan of God of War. I for one cannot wait to play the new game with my son.”
The exchange is a reminder that online arguments around character design can quickly become more personal than discussions about gameplay, story or performance. For more gaming and industry discussion, browse RETROCADE’s Arcade Blog and arcade video coverage.
The Argument Moves to Other Franchises
Rather than ending the discussion, the account responded by attempting to connect the controversy with claims about the #MeToo movement and the Dead or Alive franchise. It described that connection as fact, while presenting no substantiated evidence for the conspiracy theory it shared.
D’Onofrio did not continue the exchange. Someone else summarised the outcome with the line, “Buddy got bodied by Kingpin.”
For readers more interested in playing than arguing online, RETROCADE’s Arcade Machine Buying Guide offers a practical starting point for choosing a home arcade setup.
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