Stranger Things Season 5 Completes Its 3-Year Vecna Retcon (& Sets Up a Final Eleven Battle)

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The fifth and final season of Stranger Things is heavily expanding on a major plot twist: the show is essentially rewriting its own history. Season 4 revealed that Jamie Campbell Bower’s character, Vecna, was the original villain – a dark reflection of Eleven with psychic powers who created the Mind Flayer and took over the Upside Down. Now, the show will explore just how much influence Vecna had and how many of the problems in Hawkins he actually caused.

Netflix just dropped the first scene from the upcoming fifth season of Stranger Things, and it’s a major reveal! The scene is a flashback to the first season, showing a younger Will Byers (Noah Schnapp) during his time trapped in the Upside Down. It finally explains what happened to him after the Demogorgon captured him. Surprisingly, it turns out the Demogorgon was working for Vecna all along, and Will was intentionally exposed to the Mind Flayer. This changes everything we thought we knew and adds a new layer to the show’s overall story, connecting back to a plot point established in season 4.

It’s Official: Vecna Really Was Stranger Things’ True Villain All Along

That moment in season four when Eleven figured out Vecna’s identity – “It was you, it was always you!” – really hit me. Looking back, it makes so much sense. Stranger Things has always been about Vecna and his plan to take over Hawkins. It wasn’t just random monsters attacking, you know? The Demogorgon from the very beginning wasn’t just acting on instinct; it was actually being controlled by Vecna, like a puppet. He was pulling the strings all along!

Looking back, it all clicks into place. That first Demogorgon wasn’t just randomly attacking Hawkins Lab – it was like a scout, checking things out. And it really seemed focused on taking out anyone who could pose a threat to Vecna, especially Dr. Brenner and Eleven. It’s clear now that the Demogorgon’s main job was to find someone the Mind Flayer could use as a permanent connection to our world, a way to really get a foothold in Hawkins.

Many questions remain, but it’s strange that the Demogorgon got to Barb before Vecna, yet Vecna didn’t use her as a pawn – he let her die in the Upside Down. It seems likely that season 5 of Stranger Things will explain what makes Will special, and why Vecna was so interested in him. Ultimately, the evidence suggests Vecna specifically chose Will to be his tool, his first target, and his spy.

Every Season of Stranger Things is Really About Vecna, Will, and Eleven

Although the Demogorgon was defeated in the first season of Stranger Things, it was just a pawn, and its death didn’t matter to Vecna. What was truly important was Will’s rescue from the Upside Down, which Vecna likely orchestrated all along. He probably directed his creatures to allow Hopper and Joyce to bring Will back to Hawkins as part of his plan. From Vecna’s perspective, everything went exactly as he intended, allowing him to extend his power in Hawkins. He used the Mind Flayer to control the Demodogs and manipulated Will to learn about his enemies and their strategies.

Vecna faced a major problem when Eleven came back, stronger than before, and shut down the gate to Hawkins. However, the Russians opened a new gate, and Vecna realized Eleven was the only one who could truly stop him. Season 3 of Stranger Things can be seen as a failed attempt to eliminate her, but it did succeed in stripping Eleven of her powers—which wasn’t accidental. With Eleven powerless, Vecna was finally able to launch his full-scale invasion in season 4.

Vecna’s Plans Are in Danger in Stranger Things Season 5

The fourth season of Stranger Things concluded with Vecna creating new gateways to Hawkins, setting the stage for a full-scale invasion of Earth. However, Vecna faces a major problem: Eleven has returned, and her powers are fully restored thanks to Doctor Brenner, who has since passed away. Evidence suggests Eleven’s abilities have even been enhanced, something Brenner anticipated through his training. Eleven has always been Vecna’s biggest threat, and now she’s back to stop him.

This could explain some of the strange things about season 5. The season takes place a year and a half after Vecna opened the gates to the Upside Down, but before he fully launches his invasion. Vecna might be deliberately holding back, observing Eleven’s actions before sending his army through the gates. He’s allowed the military time to try and contain the Upside Down, not because he sees it as a threat, but because he has a vast army and isn’t worried about their efforts. Eleven is his real concern.

I just read in SFX Magazine that the fifth season of Stranger Things is going to kick off with a really intense, action-packed episode! Apparently, Eleven and the gang are taking the fight to Vecna right away, launching their own plan to stop him. And it sounds like their move is what sets everything else in motion – Vecna retaliates, and that’s when the Upside Down really explodes onto the scene. I’m so excited!

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2025-11-07 16:43