The last part of Stranger Things is arriving on Netflix, concluding the Duffer Brothers’ popular series, which blends coming-of-age themes with 80s sci-fi and horror. Volume 2 of Season 5 largely wrapped up storylines for supporting characters and resolved some longstanding mysteries. A particularly talked-about moment – and one that’s sparked debate – is when Will Byers (Noah Schnapp) comes out to his friends and family in Episode 7, “The Bridge.”
Will’s emotional monologue has sparked a lot of discussion online, from memes to serious commentary, as he reveals his inner struggles with identity and longing while trying to protect himself from Vecna. But beyond the immediate reactions to what many see as Will coming out, some Stranger Things fans are wondering if there’s a hidden meaning or twist to his words.
Was It “Will” Talking During That Coming Out Scene?
A popular theory among fans of Stranger Things, discussed on social media and forums, suggests Will Byers was still under Vecna’s influence when he came out to his friends. This idea stems from a close re-examination of Will’s emotional speech, with some fans questioning if the memories he shared were actually his own, or belonged to Henry Creel (Vecna).
Will starts his speech by explaining he’s been keeping something hidden. He didn’t want anyone to treat him differently, but he admits he is different – he’s just been pretending not to be, because he feared how others would react.
He explained that he always wished he could fit in, wanting to be just like his friends – and now, he felt he was. He shared how they all enjoyed the same things: staying up late playing Dungeons & Dragons, the familiar, cozy smell of Mike’s basement, bike rides to Melvald’s for milkshakes, getting lost while exploring the woods or browsing Family Video, and endlessly debating movies before inevitably choosing ‘Holy Grail’ again.
WAIT THE WOODS THING I DIDNT EVEN THINK ABOUT THAT WTF HELLO
— chloe ˚ 𝜗𝜚˚⋆｡☆ ꩜ (@r4dvxz) December 29, 2025
Will’s mention of “malted milkshakes” feels out of place. Stranger Things takes place in the 1980s, but malted milkshakes were much more popular with kids in the 1950s and 60s—around the time Henry Creel was growing up and when they were commonly served in diners and soda shops.
Many viewers also noticed Will saying he enjoys “getting lost in the woods.” This felt strange considering how much trauma he experienced surviving in the dangerous Upside Down (especially in Season 2). People wondered why he’d say that – was it really Will speaking, or was it a sign that Henry’s control over him was weakening?
Will Could Still Be Vecna’s Spy
The popular stage play Stranger Things: The First Shadow has been woven into the storyline of Season 5, specifically revealing the origins of Henry Creel and his initial connection to the Upside Down and the shadowy being that haunts it. The play establishes Henry as someone fascinated by exploration and getting lost – a theme reinforced by the cave setting where Max and Holly sought refuge, and where Henry first discovered the portal to the Upside Down and began his transformation into a villain.
Vecna asked Will to spy for him one final time. While it appeared Vecna wanted to invade Will’s mind to discover where Max was hidden in the hospital, it’s unlikely Henry Creel would be so direct with his plans.
As a long-time fan, I’ve always found Will Byers’ connection to Vecna fascinating, and honestly, a little terrifying. We know Vecna originally chose Will because he was uniquely able to act as a conduit for his powers. While Will seemed to gain some control over that connection at the end of the first volume of Season 5, I’m worried that might have actually made things worse. It’s entirely possible Vecna left a way for himself to fully possess Will again – imagine Vecna getting a fully powered, physical body through Will! That would be a nightmare for Eleven, Kali, and the rest of the Hawkins crew. Or, even more chilling, Will could be a kind of sleeper agent, secretly waiting for Vecna to activate him and turn on his friends. That would let Vecna attack without even having to leave his hideout – a truly devastating strategy.
The central question is what kind of journey the Duffer Brothers envision for Will: will he be a character who overcomes darkness to find redemption, or one who might have to make the ultimate sacrifice to save his friends and finally defeat Vecna – a possibility that mirrors Eleven’s potential fate?
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2025-12-30 03:11