Winona Ryder, one of the breakout stars of Netflix’s Stranger Things, has taken on a surprising new role in A$AP Rocky’s latest music video, the first official release from the Harlem rapper’s highly anticipated fourth studio album.
After years of battling dark forces like Vecna and navigating the eerie Upside Down, Ryder now steps into a much lighter, quirky setting as Rocky’s next-door neighbour in the visual for his new single, “Punk Rocky.”
The song will appear on Don’t Be Dumb, Rocky’s first studio project in eight years following 2018’s Testing.
Scheduled for release on January 16, 2026, the album has already generated major buzz, thanks to a heavyweight lineup of collaborators, including Tyler, the Creator, Pharrell Williams, and Metro Boomin, signalling a bold, experimental new era for the rapper.
Directed by Rocky alongside Folkert Verdoorn and Simon Becks, the five-minute video is packed with raw energy and rebellious flair.
It follows a raucous garage jam session in which Rocky unleashes loud, chaotic, punk-rock-inspired sounds.
The performance eventually lands him in trouble with the law, culminating in his arrest.
In a humorous twist, Ryder appears as his neighbour, greeting him afterwards with a warm smile and a plate of cookies.
Throughout the video, she remains unfazed by the chaos, smiling through the madness and clearly vibing with Rocky’s wild energy.
The video also features notable cameos.
Thundercat appears, adding musical credibility, while acclaimed film composer and musician Danny Elfman makes an appearance.
The cast is rounded out by A$AP Nast, Rocky’s cousin and fellow A$AP Mob member, highlighting the close-knit creative energy behind the project.
Ryder is no stranger to the music video world.
She made her debut in 1989 in Mojo Nixon’s “Debbie Gibson Is Pregnant with My Two-Headed Love Child” and appeared a year later in Roy Orbison’s “A Love So Beautiful,” alongside Matthew Modine, who would later join her in Stranger Things as Dr. Martin Brenner.
She has also collaborated with visionary director Tim Burton, starring in The Killers’ 2012 video for “Here with Me,” cementing her long-standing connection to music-driven storytelling.