Noah Schnapp Reveals Vecna ‘Stranger Things’ Season 5 Spoiler

Will Vecna get a redemption arc in the final season of Stranger Things?

In a recent interview with TV Guide, Noah Schnapp and Millie Bobby Brown discussed which villains from their popular Netflix show they feel are misunderstood. Schnapp may have accidentally hinted at a major plot point for the final season with a brief and somewhat cryptic response.

“Low-key Vecna, because like…” Schnapp, who plays Will Byers on the show, begins.

Brown quickly cuts Schnapp off mid-sentence, seemingly to prevent him from saying something he’d regret. “Really? No, stop it. That’s enough, just be quiet,” says the actress known for her role as Eleven, with a laugh.

During the interview, when asked if Vecna’s horrifying actions in Season 4 might suggest he was simply “misunderstood,” Jamie Campbell Bower skillfully used her media experience to change the subject.

She says with a laugh, “Let’s skip that topic for now. We’ve had a busy day and really want to help, but we’re realizing we’re not equipped to answer those kinds of questions.”

Noah Schnapp’s recent comments have sparked a lot of online discussion. Fans are wondering if this hints at a possible redemption arc for Vecna – or if we’ll learn more about his tragic past as Season 5 unfolds. While the play Stranger Things: The First Shadow explores Henry Creel’s (Vecna’s) childhood and provides key background information, I won’t reveal any spoilers here.

Even though it seems highly improbable that Vecna – or any interdimensional creature, for that matter – could find redemption after what he did last season – torturing and imprisoning the souls of teenagers in his terrifying realm, and, well, removing their eyes – we’ve seen even crazier things happen. (Apologies for the pun.)

For a long time, viewers have suspected that Vecna would target Will – who previously had a connection with the Mind Flayer – and use him against Eleven in the final season. The official trailer for Season 5 now confirms these theories, showing that Will will be under Vecna’s control and used as a tool against Eleven.

A newly released preview of the next season’s first episode shows exactly what happened to Will when he disappeared into the Upside Down years ago, and includes his terrifying initial encounter with Vecna.

Season 5 takes place in the fall of 1987. Netflix’s official synopsis for the season reads:

The town of Hawkins is deeply damaged by the mysterious Rifts, and a group of heroes are determined to stop Vecna. However, he’s disappeared, and no one knows where he is or what he’s planning. Making things worse, the government has put Hawkins under military control and is aggressively searching for Eleven, forcing her to go into hiding again. As the anniversary of Will’s disappearance nears, a sense of fear returns. A final, dangerous confrontation is coming—one that will test them against a darkness more powerful than anything they’ve experienced before. To finally defeat this evil, everyone will need to come together for one last stand.

The fifth and final season of Stranger Things will be released in three parts. You can watch the first four episodes starting November 26th, followed by three more on Christmas Day (December 25th). The last two episodes, concluding the series, will be available on New Year’s Eve (December 31st).

Episodes will be available to stream beginning at 5PM PT/8PM ET on their respective dates.

Stranger Things Cast: Then and Now

Millie Bobby Brown: Then (2016)

Millie Bobby Brown was just 12 years old when Stranger Things first came out in 2016. Before that, the British actress started her career with small roles in TV shows like Once Upon a Time in Wonderland, NCIS, Modern Family, and Grey’s Anatomy. She really became famous for her part as Eleven. In 2017, her performance earned her an Emmy nomination for best supporting actress in a drama series.

Millie Bobby Brown: Now (2025)

Millie Bobby Brown, currently 21 years old (as of November 2025), is married to Jake Bongiovi, the son of Jon Bon Jovi, and they are parents to an adopted daughter. Since becoming known for her role in Stranger Things, she’s appeared in films like Godzilla: King of the Monsters, Enola Holmes, Damsel, and The Electric State. A third Enola Holmes movie is scheduled for release in 2016. Brown also founded her own beauty company, Florence by Mills.

Finn Wolfhard: Then (2016)

I remember when Stranger Things came out and being totally blown away by Finn Wolfhard – he was so good as Mike Wheeler! It’s crazy to think he was only 13 when he started playing that role. Actually, that was his first big acting gig, though he’d already had a few smaller things under his belt, like a music video back in 2012, and guest spots on shows like The 100 and Supernatural before Stranger Things really launched him in 2016.

Finn Wolfhard: Now (2025)

Following the success of Stranger Things, Finn Wolfhard appeared in the horror films It and It Chapter Two (released in 2019). He’s since starred in Ghostbusters: Afterlife, Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, and Saturday Night. Beyond acting, Wolfhard is also a filmmaker – he co-wrote, co-directed, produced, and starred in the 2023 horror comedy Hell of a Summer. Additionally, he’s a musician with the band The Aubreys and as a solo artist, releasing his first solo album, Happy Birthday, in June 2025.

Gaten Matarazzo: Then (2016)

Gaten Matarazzo is best known for playing Dustin Henderson in the popular Netflix show, Stranger Things. He was 14 years old when the series first came out. Before Stranger Things, Gaten had already performed in Broadway musicals like Priscilla, Queen of the Desert and Les Misérables. He first appeared on television in 2015 with a guest role on The Blacklist.

Gaten Matarazzo: Now (2025)

Since first appearing on Netflix, 23-year-old Gaten Matarazzo has built a diverse career. He’s done voice work in animated movies and shows, made brief appearances in music videos by artists like Katy Perry and Green Day, and acted in films, including the 2022 romantic comedy Honor Society. He’s also returned to the stage, performing in Broadway productions of Dear Evan Hansen and Sweeney Todd.

Caleb McLaughlin: Then (2016)

I remember when Stranger Things first came out in 2016 – Caleb McLaughlin, who played Lucas, was just 14! But he wasn’t new to acting at all. He’d already been in shows like Law & Order: SVU, Shades of Blue, and Unforgettable as a guest star. Actually, his very first big role was even earlier – he played young Simba on Broadway in The Lion King, which was amazing!

Caleb McLaughlin: Now (2025)

I’ve been consistently impressed with Caleb McLaughlin’s work. He first caught my attention playing Lucas and rightfully earned a SAG Award for that role back in 2017, also receiving a BET YoungStars Award nomination that same year. He’s really blossomed since then, making his big-screen debut in 2020’s Concrete Cowboy with Idris Elba. Since then, he’s been steadily building a fantastic career, appearing in films like The Book of Clarence and The Deliverance, lending his voice to animated projects, and even pursuing his passion for music – check out his 2022 single, “Soul Travel,” if you get a chance. He’s a truly multi-talented performer.

Noah Schnapp: Then (2016)

I still remember being amazed by Noah Schnapp when Stranger Things first came out – he was just a kid, only eleven years old! But honestly, that wasn’t even his first role. He actually started as a voice actor, playing Charlie Brown in The Peanuts Movie back in 2015. And before Stranger Things, he even had a small part in a Steven Spielberg film, Bridge of Spies! It’s incredible to think about how much he’s accomplished at such a young age.

Noah Schnapp: Now (2025)

Since first appearing on Stranger Things, 21-year-old Noah Schnapp has also acted in independent films like Abe and Waiting for Anya. He had a role in the 2020 Adam Sandler comedy Hubie Halloween, and has made brief appearances in music videos by Panic! at the Disco and Drake.

Natalia Dyer: Then (2016)

Though she became widely known as Nancy Wheeler in Stranger Things when the show premiered in 2016, Natalia Dyer actually started acting much earlier. At just 21 years old then, she’d already been in Hannah Montana: The Movie back in 2009. Before Stranger Things, Dyer had roles in smaller films and independent projects like Don’t Let Me Go, After Darkness, and I Believe in Unicorns.

Natalia Dyer: Now (2025)

I recently checked out some of Natalia Dyer’s work, and she’s really proving her range. Most notably, she led the cast in the charming and funny coming-of-age film Yes, God, Yes back in 2019. But she’s been consistently working, with appearances in films like Velvet Buzzsaw, Things Heard & Seen, and All Fun and Games. Even before that, in 2018, she popped up in James Bay’s music video for “Wild Love.” It’s great to see an actress like her taking on diverse roles.

Joe Keery: Then (2016)

Joe Keery first gained widespread recognition at age 24 for his role as Steve Harrington in Stranger Things. Before that, he appeared in commercials for brands like KFC, Amiibo, and Domino’s. He also had minor roles on TV shows including Empire and Chicago Fire, and started his film career with the independent movie Henry Gamble’s Birthday Party.

Joe Keery: Now (2025)

Joe Keery, now 33, has been in several films since the start of Stranger Things, like Spree, Molly’s Game, and Free Guy. He also played a major role in Season 5 of the TV show Fargo. Beyond acting, Keery makes music as Djo, and his 2022 song “End of the Beginning” recently became a huge hit on TikTok in 2024.

Charlie Heaton: Then (2016)

Charlie Heaton, the British actor who plays Jonathan Byers on Stranger Things, was 22 years old when the show first came out. Before becoming famous on Netflix, he was a musician and had small roles in TV shows like DCI Banks and Casualty, which focused on crime and medical emergencies.

Charlie Heaton: Now (2025)

After the first season of Stranger Things came out, Charlie Heaton appeared in the 2016 thriller Shut In with Naomi Watts, and the coming-of-age film As You Are. He filmed both of these projects before Stranger Things gained popularity. Since then, Heaton, now 31 years old, has been in films like The New Mutants, The Souvenir Part II, Marrowbone, and No Future.

Winona Ryder: Then (2016)

Winona Ryder was 44 years old when Stranger Things debuted. She first became famous in the 1980s for playing unique characters in popular movies like Beetlejuice and Heathers. Her career grew in the 1990s with roles in films including Mermaids, Bram Stoker’s Dracula, Girl, Interrupted, Edward Scissorhands, Little Women, and The Crucible. After a break from acting in the early 2000s, she returned to the screen in movies such as Star Trek and Black Swan.

Winona Ryder: Now (2025)

Since starring in Stranger Things, Winona Ryder has been in several films, including the romantic comedy Destination Wedding with Keanu Reeves, Gone in the Night, Haunted Mansion, and Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, a sequel to Tim Burton’s classic 1988 film. In 2020, she led the cast of the highly praised HBO drama The Plot Against America. As of November 2025, she is 54 years old.

David Harbour: Then (2016)

David Harbour, best known as Jim Hopper in Stranger Things, was 41 years old when the show premiered on Netflix. Before finding fame with Stranger Things, Harbour built a career in theater, even performing on Broadway. He first appeared on television in 1999 with a small role on Law & Order, and went on to guest star in several popular shows like Law & Order: SVU, Pan Am, Elementary, The Newsroom, and Manhattan. He also had roles in films such as Quantum of Solace, State of Play, Revolutionary Road, Brokeback Mountain, End of Watch, and The Green Hornet.

David Harbour: Now (2025)

David Harbour is celebrating 50 years in acting. He first became well-known for his role as Hopper, and since then has been in many films, including Suicide Squad, Hellboy, Violent Night, Gran Turismo, and We Have a Ghost. He also plays Red Guardian in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, appearing in Black Widow and Thunderbolts.

2025-11-18 04:00