Stranger Things Season 5 Theory Reveals The Show’s True Villain

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The idea that Vecna might not be the main villain in Stranger Things changes how we see the power structure of the Upside Down. As the show nears its end, the story is getting more complex, and we’re starting to wonder who was truly pulling the strings from the beginning.

The show Stranger Things relies heavily on secret power struggles, so it’s not surprising that some viewers suspect Vecna isn’t the true villain. Recent discoveries related to the series suggest the Mind Flayer might be the real enemy, and understanding its role could be crucial to figuring out how the story will end.

The Mind Flayer Will Be Stranger Things’ Final Boss — Theory Explained

Netflix

The creators of the show, the Duffer Brothers, haven’t said for sure that the Mind Flayer won’t return as the main villain. And, as we’ve seen throughout the series, absolutely anything could happen.

We’ve seen this kind of villain before, most famously in Star Wars. Vecna might be like Darth Vader in the Upside Down – a powerful figure who is ultimately forced to work for an even greater evil. It’s possible the Mind Flayer is the one truly pulling Vecna’s strings, which would be a surprising twist and bring the story back to its origins.

The best proof for this idea comes from the Broadway play Stranger Things: The First Shadow. The play focuses on a young Vecna, also known as Henry Creel, and reveals that when the Creel family lived in Nevada, Henry stumbled into a cave during play and was unexpectedly sent to Dimension X – the same alternate dimension Eleven banished him to in season 4.

We learn that Henry originally met the Mind Flayer in Dimension X, proving the creature is much older than he is. The Mind Flayer then took control of Henry, granting him powers but twisting them with darkness and ultimately setting him on the path to becoming a villain.

Currently playing in both Broadway and London, this new stage play was written by Kate Trefry, one of the writers of the Stranger Things series, and developed by the Duffer Brothers. This means the play’s story is officially part of the Stranger Things world. It largely confirms a popular fan theory, but it’s still unclear whether Netflix will incorporate this storyline into the fifth season of the show.

What The Mind Flayer Is Up To During Stranger Things Season 5

Netflix

It’s unclear whether the Mind Flayer still exists by the end of the first part of Stranger Things season 5, and that uncertainty is actually more frightening than if it were actively attacking Hawkins. The show hasn’t confirmed the creature’s fate, and we’ve seen that things don’t always stay defeated in Stranger Things.

Will can still feel when the monster is close, meaning the Mind Flayer hasn’t given up. It’s still in Hawkins and likely preparing for one last, major confrontation.

Hopper didn’t want Eleven participating in dangerous missions because he feared she’d be injured and weakened before the ultimate showdown. Similarly, the Mind Flayer probably avoids smaller fights, saving its energy to be as powerful as possible when it finally attacks Hawkins and tries to complete its plan. Having been defeated by Eleven once, the creature would logically focus on becoming fully prepared for a final, decisive battle.

Is The Mind Flayer More Powerful Than Vecna?

For this idea to work, the Mind Flayer would need to be stronger than Vecna, and that’s where it gets tricky. They’d be evenly matched, but Vecna might actually have the edge.

During season 3, it became clear the Mind Flayer wasn’t powerful on its own through mental abilities. It was dangerous because of its huge size and how it connected all its creatures as one. Since Eleven, even when weakened, could hurt the Mind Flayer, someone with greater powers – like Vecna – would likely be able to defeat it.

Vecna effortlessly destroyed a heavily armed army base, not even seeming to try. He could obliterate groups of soldiers with a simple gesture, like throwing a grenade. It makes you think about the battle at Starcourt Mall – if they’d had grenades back then, the fight with the Mind Flayer would have been over much faster.

If Vecna is much more powerful than the Mind Flayer, the show Stranger Things will need to provide a convincing explanation for how the Mind Flayer is still able to control him.

The final part of Stranger Things season 5 will be available on Netflix starting Christmas Day, with the very last episode released on New Year’s Eve.

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2025-12-13 21:11