A Dark Stranger Things Theory May Have Officially Spoiled Will’s Season 5 Fate

by

It’s been over three years since the last season of the show aired on Netflix, and fans are really excited for the final chapter of this popular series. With such a long wait, viewers have come up with lots of theories about what might happen. One popular idea is that Will Byers, a key character who was first taken to the Upside Down, is still secretly being controlled by the villain, Vecna. Some believe Will is acting as a spy, and will eventually betray the group.

Although many fans believe Will will become a villain, another theory seems more plausible. This idea isn’t as dramatic – it doesn’t suggest Will will turn evil – but it does propose he’ll experience a significant loss in the fight against Vecna. If true, Will will likely be crucial in finally defeating Vecna, but it will come at a great personal cost.

Will Byers Has Always Been One of the Most Important Stranger Things Characters

Will is one of the original members of a close-knit group of friends. The group started with Will, Mike, Dustin, and Lucas in the first season. Eleven later joined, even though Lucas was hesitant at first. Max became part of the group in the second season, but the strong connection between the original four boys remains obvious. They all love playing Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) and spending time at the arcade. They’re creative, imaginative, and, above all, fiercely loyal to one another. That’s what really defines them.

In Mike’s basement, Will, Lucas, and Dustin are playing Dungeons & Dragons with Mike as the game master. This is where viewers first meet the close-knit group. They’re having fun and clearly enjoying each other’s company. As the game progresses, Mike introduces a new monster, the Demogorgon. Just as they’re about to see the outcome of Will’s turn, Mike’s mom interrupts the game. Later, before leaving, Will privately tells Mike the result of his dice roll, hinting at events to come later in the season.

The boys split up, and Will bikes home. As he rides, he notices he’s being followed, though the audience only catches glimpses of what’s pursuing him. This creature eventually kidnaps Will, leaving his loved ones desperately searching for him. It’s later revealed to be the Demogorgon, a monster from another dimension. However, some clues suggest something else was also tracking Will.

The first season centers around the disappearance of Will Byers. His mother, Joyce, and brother, Jonathan, desperately search for answers, while his friends are also deeply impacted by his loss. Their efforts to find him lead them into a dangerous and far-reaching mystery. Eventually, they receive help from Eleven, who not only aids in finding Will but repeatedly defends the group from the terrifying Demogorgon.

Though Will Byers is rescued from the Upside Down by the end of the season, he’s deeply affected by his experiences. He remains connected to the Upside Down, which allows the Mind Flayer to possess him, and he unknowingly brings a dangerous creature, Dart, into Hawkins. He even coughs up a slug-like creature that later becomes a Demogorgon – and, as we learn in Season 4, this connection ultimately leads to Vecna’s influence over him. Despite the toll it takes on his health, Will’s ability to sense the Mind Flayer proves crucial in the fight against the Upside Down’s forces.

This Fan Theory Suggests Will is the Key to Victory, But Only If He Loses an Eye

A widely held fan theory suggests Will will ultimately be the one to help the group defeat Vecna. This idea makes sense considering how central he’s been to the story, and his ongoing link to the Upside Down feels like it should lead to a significant resolution. The creators, the Duffer Brothers, have confirmed Will will have a major part to play in the final season, leading many to believe he’ll either be instrumental in Vecna’s defeat or, conversely, be crucial to Vecna winning.

One popular theory proposes that Will Byers will lose an eye in Season 5. The idea is that he’ll make this sacrifice to finally defeat Vecna. While it might seem unexpected, there’s actually evidence supporting this claim, with the first hints appearing as early as Season 2.

In the second season, Will and his classmates study the case of Phineas Gage, a man who incredibly survived a severe brain injury in 1848. Gage, a railroad worker, had a metal rod pierce through his head, damaging his eye and skull. The show notably focuses on Will during this story, seemingly hinting at a connection between Gage and Will Byers. While this alone isn’t proof, it’s one of the first clues suggesting this connection could be real.

Joyce moves her family – Jonathan, Will, and Eleven – to California hoping to escape the ongoing threats in Hawkins. However, they eventually have to return. A key moment shows Will looking out the car window as they drive back into town, witnessing the devastation Vecna caused while they were gone, including the opening of four gates to the Upside Down. During this scene, a pole briefly blocks the view of Will’s face, obscuring one of his eyes – a visually striking detail.

This is a turning point for Will. He understands the devastation caused by his actions and realizes he can’t outrun his past, no matter how hard he tries. Running would only mean others would suffer for him. To find peace, he must stay and face the consequences. This moment of realization cleverly hints at what’s to come, subtly foreshadowing future events.

This Fan Theory Relies on the Show’s Dungeons & Dragons Theme

There’s evidence to support this fan theory when you look at promotional materials. In most posters and teasers featuring Will, you rarely see both of his eyes clearly. His right eye is often covered or obscured. Even in group photos with the other characters, Will is the only one whose face is partially hidden by shadows or turned away.

Vecna is the only other character featured in this kind of promotional material. He appears in the “One Last Adventure” poster, looming in the sky above the kids biking below. While he’s clearly visible, the poster notably leaves out his right eye.

Our strongest evidence yet connects Vecna to the world of Dungeons & Dragons. Stranger Things has consistently used D&D as a framework, providing a way for the characters to understand the strange events unfolding around them. Creatures like the Demogorgon and the Mind Flayer were directly inspired by the game. Within D&D, Vecna is a remarkably powerful and malevolent wizard who ultimately becomes a lich, and is considered one of the most significant villains in the game.

At the start of Season 4, Mike, Dustin, and Lucas were playing the “Cult of Vecna” game, so it makes sense they connect the villain terrorizing Hawkins with the powerful wizard Vecna. Vecna is actually named Henry Creel, and he was Dr. Brenner’s original test subject, labeled 001. However, the main characters primarily know him as Vecna.

In the game Dungeons & Dragons, players can find and use powerful magical items, even to defeat the main enemy. One of these is the Eye of Vecna – a very rare and evil artifact that gives the user magical powers and heightened senses. However, there’s a price: to use the Eye of Vecna, the user must remove one of their own eyes and replace it with the artifact.

Because the show’s advertising repeatedly highlights that both Vecna and Will are missing their right eyes, it’s likely Season 5 will involve the ‘Eye of Vecna’ as a way to ultimately defeat him.

Read More

2025-11-10 01:44