The 5 films that influenced Vecna’s chilling transformation in Stranger Things season 5 – revealed by star Jamie Campbell Bower

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*Warning: Major spoilers for Stranger Things season 5 episodes 1-4 ahead.*

Season 5 of Stranger Things brings back the villain Vecna, portrayed by Jamie Campbell Bower, but he seems different this time around.

Vecna is now going after the children of Hawkins, beginning with Holly Wheeler, who is now played by Nell Fisher. This feels reminiscent of classic villain archetypes, and actor Jamie Campbell Bower has discussed the films that inspired the creation of Vecna/Henry Creel, along with the Duffer Brothers, for the upcoming season 5.

He explained that for this season, he wants to focus on the fact that he’s playing a character, not being himself. He emphasized there is no ‘real’ Henry anymore, and he’s exploring how much of his personality he can show while still being likable and ultimately, winning the competition.

It’s really challenging as an actor to play a character hiding something. You generally want to portray genuine emotion, but in this case, you have to conceal it, and you hope your scene partner doesn’t notice you’re doing that.

Matt and Ross Duffer had a lot of inspiring material to work with, and I found myself drawing on those same sources, which was a really enjoyable experience.

1. A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood (2019)

As a critic, I found the portrayal of Henry Creel in season five particularly fascinating. Director Bower revealed he drew inspiration from two key sources: the actual Mister Rogers, and the film A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood. He really dug into those performances to shape Creel’s character, which I think added a surprising layer of complexity.

The 2019 film, A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, is a biographical drama where Tom Hanks plays Fred Rogers, the beloved host of the children’s television program, Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.

It’s clear that Mister Rogers had an impact on the actor’s portrayal of his character in the first few episodes of season 5. He played a dependable and caring role for many of the kids in Hawkins.

2. The Pied Piper of Hamelin (1957)

You know, I recently learned something interesting about the making of this film. The director, Bower, mentioned being really inspired by the story of the Pied Piper of Hamelin. Apparently, the 1957 musical film version of that legend was a big influence, though he drew inspiration from other versions too.

The story tells of a piper who was paid to get rid of rats in the town of Hamelin, but instead, he led all the children away.

The upcoming season of Stranger Things draws clear connections to Henry Creel, who starts targeting children in Hawkins. He labels them as physically and mentally vulnerable, making them easy to manipulate, and he previously used Will Byers, played by Noah Schnapp, to gather information.

3. Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1971)/Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005)

Vecna’s appearance in season 5 was inspired by both Gene Wilder’s and Johnny Depp’s portrayals of Willy Wonka – specifically, the versions from the 1971 and 2005 films, respectively.

It’s really striking how similar Vecna is to the Henry we meet in Season 5. He totally tricked young Holly Wheeler, drawing her in with what seemed like a dream come true – a house packed with everything a girl her age could want: music, clothes, games, and tons of gifts. It was a perfect facade, but obviously hiding something terrible.

But if you look closer, you’ll realize it’s all a show, hiding something much more harmful going on underneath.

4. The Shining (1980)

Bower mentioned that Jack Nicholson’s performance as Jack Torrance in ‘The Shining’ heavily inspired the creation of Vecna/Henry in the fifth season.

Jack Torrance is widely considered one of cinema’s most iconic villains. His descent into madness is fueled by the supernatural elements within the hotel, which exploit his weaknesses and past traumas – a dynamic that Vecna/Henry deeply comprehends.

5. Dark City (1998)

To prepare for his return as Vecna/Henry in season 5, the Duffer Brothers recommended that Jamie Campbell Bower watch the neo-noir sci-fi film Dark City.

The movie centers on a man, portrayed by Rufus Sewell, who wakes up with amnesia and is immediately suspected of murder. He goes on the run, trying to prove his innocence while evading both the police and a shadowy organization called the Strangers.

As the story unfolds, you start to realize the ‘Strangers’ aren’t just random monsters – they’re actually conducting experiments on people. It immediately brought ‘Stranger Things’ to mind, especially when you consider Vecna’s origins and Henry’s backstory – the similarities are definitely there.

Bonus influences from the Duffer Brothers

“We were looking mostly at the ones that were successful,” Ross Duffer explained.

It’s likely that many more attempts fail than succeed, especially because it’s tough to meet expectations after working towards something for a long time.

We studied the finales of several acclaimed shows, including Six Feet Under – which has one of the best endings I’ve ever seen – as well as Breaking Bad and Friday Night Lights. We weren’t focused on the storylines themselves, but rather on understanding what made those finales so impactful for viewers like us.

Matt Duffer explained about the finale of Stranger Things that it felt natural and unavoidable. He believes unsuccessful shows or endings often happen when creators prioritize shocking fans or taking unexpected turns instead of staying true to the story.

We’re aiming to make the finale feel consistent with the series and ensure each character’s ending feels natural and unavoidable. That’s our main goal.

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2025-11-27 20:35