WARNING! This article contains SPOILERS for Stranger Things season 4, vol. 2!
The Stranger Things season 4 finale ends with an ominous teaser for Will and Vecna’s connection, which may confirm a major season 5 villain theory. In the final moments of Stranger Things season 4, the Hawkins characters begin cleaning up Hopper’s old cabin as Will feels the familiar Upside Down tingle on his neck, proving Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower) is still alive despite his physical body being damaged. Vecna’s Hawkins/Upside Down plan is still unfinished heading into Stranger Things season 5, which means he’ll continue his villainous control as the dimension’s “puppet master.”
Aside from Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown), who opened the first gate and banished Number One/Henry Creel to the alternate dimension in 1979, the Stranger Things character with the most significant connection to the Upside Down is Will Byers (Noah Schnapp). Will was abducted by a Demogorgon and taken to the Upside Down in Stranger Things season 1, with the character then being possessed as a host for the Mind Flayer in season 2. He was spared from any possessions or abductions in Stranger Things seasons 3 and 4, but the show has confirmed that Will is still connected to the Upside Down’s master, Vecna. Whenever the influence of Vecna is near, Will feels a chilling sensation on the back of his neck.
Stranger Things’ season 4 ending was the first occasion in which Hawkins lost its battle against the Upside Down, with the alternate dimension completely taking over the town in the season’s final moments. While Stranger Things’ characters had hoped that their plan truly left Vecna dead, Will Byers confirmed that One/Henry Creel was still alive and intent on taking everything and everyone until he is stopped. With the Duffer Brothers also revealing that Will Byers will be a major focus in Stranger Things season 5, particularly in terms of his supernatural connection to the Upside Down, the series is seemingly supporting the dark fan theory that Vecna turns Will into a villain during the show’s final installment.
Where Vecna Is At The End Of Stranger Things Season 4
In the final fight of Stranger Things’ season 4 finale, Eleven overpowered Vecna in his red smoke mindscape while Nancy, Steve, and Robin lit him on fire in the Upside Down. After falling out of the window at Creel House, Vecna’s burned body had been considerably harmed but was able to disappear. Vecna is confirmed to be alive, with his consciousness still being used to control the Upside Down’s beings that are preparing to take over Hawkins in Stranger Things season 5. If Vecna’s physical form did survive the fire damage from Robin, Nancy, and Steve, then the villain is likely in hiding as he heals, where he’s also using the Upside Down’s hive mind to continue his plan. Either Vecna himself or the beings he influences are located in Hawkins at the end of Stranger Things season 4, as Will ominously senses him before looking out at the damage to the town.
How Will & Vecna Are Connected
Will and Vecna were first connected when the villain abducted him in Stranger Things season 1 and kept him in the Upside Down, but their link became far more pronounced in season 2. In Stranger Things season 2, the Mind Flayer (controlled by Vecna) possessed Will as his physical host in Hawkins, with Will also being able to understand Vecna’s thoughts, weaknesses, and locations, a.k.a his “now memories.” In Stranger Things season 2, Vecna used Will as a spy, where he could track the locations of the Hawkins characters so as to carry out his murderous plan against them. While the Mind Flayer was seemingly expelled from Will in Stranger Things season 2’s ending, his presence still lingered, giving Will the ability to sense Vecna while in Hawkins.
Stranger Things season 4’s Henry Creel backstory also introduced several intriguing parallels between young Number One and young Will Byers. Just like Will, Henry Creel was a “sensitive boy” who enjoyed drawing, with both of the characters eventually creating the same exact picture of the Mind Flayer. Henry clearly saw a reflection of himself in Will Byers during Stranger Things season 1 when he chose to abduct him, perhaps sensing his bullying from classmates, emotional trauma from his father, and lack of a connection to anyone other than his mother, brother, and those in the D&D party. Vecna and Will’s connection is teased to come full circle as Stranger Things season 5 ends the show, hinting that Vecna will use Will as another villainous host, or Will Byers will prove to be the true foil to Henry Creel and the only one who can destroy him.
Stranger Things 5’s Villain Is Will – Theory Explained
Vecna preys on his victims through their trauma and distance from loved ones, which Will Byers is continuing to exhibit ahead of Stranger Things season 5. Will spent the majority of Stranger Things season 4 at odds with Eleven, barely talking to Jonathan, and being unable to reveal his true emotions to Mike. At the end of Stranger Things season 4, Will expresses his feelings for Mike through a painting in a roundabout way by putting Eleven in his stead, with Mike being oblivious to the heartbreaking confession of the isolated Will Byers. Vecna is apt to use Will’s pain in his plan during Stranger Things season 5, where one major fan theory suggests the Upside Down’s puppet master will drive Will into joining his plan to destroy Hawkins, thus making him a villain in the series’ final installment.
“Will the Wise” may finally come to fruition in Stranger Things season 5, as Vecna could see potential in Will by giving him certain powers. Vecna revealed that he used the Mind Flayer to siphon Eleven’s powers (confirming a major Upside Down theory) in order to open up more gates to Hawkins, so it’s not too far out of left field to suggest Number One could also grant supernatural abilities to someone else. However, the fan theory that Will Byers becomes Stranger Things’ season 5 villain would mean a surprising antagonistic twist for the character who has already suffered greatly. As such, if Will Byers were to become a villain in Stranger Things season 5, it would most likely be Vecna controlling him again through their psychic connection – not Will voluntarily aiding Vecna’s evil plans. Similar to how Vecna was able to control Billy as Stranger Things season 3’s villain, Will could potentially fall under Vecna’s spell and be forced to assist in his world takeover.
Stranger Things 4 Ending Hints At Vecna Making Will His Host Again
Surprisingly, Will was the first person to sense that Vecna was back in Stranger Things season 4’s cliffhanger ending, not Eleven. The Duffer brothers already confirmed that Will’s journey will be incredibly important to Stranger Things season 5, which inevitably ties into Vecna’s previous control over him. Since it’s unclear where Vecna’s physical body has gone in Stranger Things’ season 4 finale, he’ll likely use more hosts to enact his plan in season 5, with Will already being primed through prior possessions. Vecna also may be intent on creating another army like he did for the Mind Flayer in Stranger Things season 3, where he could possibly possess Will as one of its leaders. Since Will revealed that Vecna’s body is still hurt ahead of Stranger Things season 5, the show is still hinting that One will need to use Will as a host again – whether that means turning the character into a villain or not.
Want more Stranger Things season 4 articles? Check out our essential content below…
- Stranger Things Season 4 Volume 2 Ending Explained (In Detail)
- Everything We Know About Stranger Things Season 5: Cast, Setting & Story
- Stranger Things Season 4 Volume 2 Easter Eggs & References
- Stranger Things: Biggest Unanswered Questions & Mysteries After Season 4
- What The Grandfather Clock Means In Stranger Things Season 4
- Stranger Things Season 4 Volume 1 Easter Eggs & References
- Of Course Eddie’s Upside Down Song Was Perfect!
- Why THAT Character Died In The Stranger Things Season 4 Finale
