What Stranger Things season 5’s first five minutes really tell us – including solving a big season 1 mystery

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Get ready! The first five minutes of Stranger Things season 5 are out, and they give us a big preview of what’s going to happen.

The show’s last season will conclude the story that began nearly ten years ago, with the vanishing of Will Byers, played by Noah Schnapp.

The final season will circle back to the start, revealing what happened to young Will when he first went missing.

Here’s what we’ve learnt from those all important five minutes!

1. What exactly happened to Will in season 1

The first season of Stranger Things centered around Will Byers’ disappearance, but we’ve only just learned exactly what happened to him during the week he was trapped in the Upside Down.

The season begins with Will singing a song we’ve heard before, hiding in the Byers’ cabin in the Upside Down. But a demogorgon quickly finds him. Though Will tries to fight it, he falls from a tree, gets knocked unconscious, and the demogorgon carries him off – clearing the path for Vecna to appear.

Vecna captures Will and connects a vine-like growth to his mouth, then says, “Finally, we can start. You and I will create amazing things together. Truly amazing things.”

This is the first time we’ve truly understood the terrifying things Will experienced that week. It clarifies why Joyce and Hopper discovered him in such a condition at the end of season one – with a strange vine-like growth in his throat.

2. We’ve all been underestimating Will

For the last five seasons, Will has consistently been seen as the most vulnerable person in the group, always requiring help from others.

Well, in these five minutes, that misconception has been put to bed.

We watch as the young boy struggles to survive, skillfully shooting at a Demogorgon, leaping through the trees, and confronting horrors beyond anything he’s ever known – all while completely isolated.

Finally, fans are putting some respect on his name!

3. The familiar song we’ve been waiting for

The Duffer Brothers first teased season 5 of Stranger Things months ago, and now the full trailer is finally here.

The scene opens with darkness, the chilling sound of wind, and the creaking of trees. Then, a child’s voice breaks the silence, singing a song many would recognize.

There was initial guessing that the featured song might be Kate Bush’s ‘Running Up That Hill,’ but it’s now confirmed to be The Clash’s ‘Should I Stay or Should I Go.’ The character Will relies on this song to help him deal with past trauma.

Music has been a huge part of Stranger Things, especially with moments like the Kate Bush resurgence in season four. Now, it looks like The Clash’s “Should I Stay or Should I Go” will be central to the story as Will confronts his biggest challenge yet.

4. The demogorgons take orders

We’re seeing something new: the Demogorgon is actually showing intelligence and following instructions, instead of just reacting on impulse.

We watched the creature pull Will into Vecna’s hideout, seemingly following Vecna’s orders exactly. Even more surprisingly, it bowed to Vecna when he appeared.

Okay, so season five is really interesting. It looks like the monsters aren’t just going to be scary brute force this time around. We’re seeing hints of actual intelligence, and honestly? That’s way more frightening. A smart monster is a much bigger threat, and I think this season is leaning into that brilliantly.

5. Vecna has been playing the long game

It’s pretty clear from the first few minutes of season 5 that Vecna has always had a connection with Will, and he’s been planning something involving him for a long time.

In the clip, he tells him: “At long last, we can begin”, as he places a tendril over his mouth.

It seems Vecna’s influence within Will could be triggered anytime, potentially turning him into a pawn and making him act on Vecna’s orders.

The season 5 trailer ended with Vecna asking Will for help “one last time.” The reason Will was specifically targeted remains a mystery, and hopefully, season 5 will reveal the answer despite all the frightening events that are headed our way.

Stranger Things 5 part 1 premieres on Netflix on Wednesday 26th November 2025.

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2025-11-07 18:05