Vecna better watch his back: Stranger Things creators say that one character's "incredible" power reveal "changes the game" for the rest of season 5

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Vecna better watch his back: Stranger Things creators say that one character's "incredible" power reveal "changes the game" for the rest of season 5 News By Megan Garside published 27 November 2025

Stranger Things season 5 volume 1's finale has a huge twist

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(Image credit: Netflix)

Stranger Things season 5 volume 1 has landed on Netflix, and the mid-season finale not only delivers one of the most action-packed scenes in the whole series, but it also reveals that one character has been harbouring a big secret.

Warning: major spoilers follow for Stranger Things season 5 volume 1, so turn back now if you haven't seen it, and check out our Stranger Things season 5 volume 1 review.

Stranger Things season 5 episode 4 came to a fiery end when a rip from the Upside Down into the real world at the military base in Hawkins led a flood of Demogorgons to wreak havoc on soldiers and almost kill a few main characters in the process. For more on that, read our Stranger Things season 5 volume 1 ending explained. But before the Demogorgons could kill Lucas, Joyce, and Mike, Will was able to harness his powers via his connection to Vecna, control the Demogorgons, and destroy them by breaking their bones with his mind (much like Vecna did to Max in season 4).

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As we know, Will has been connected to Vecna ever since he was kidnapped by the monster way back in season 1. So, having Will unlock Vecna's powers was the natural next step for Stranger Things creators Ross and Matt Duffer. "One of the earliest ideas in [Season 5] is, 'What if Will were able to harness this connection and use it against our villains?'," said Ross to Tudum.

(Image credit: Netflix)

Will unlocked his powers by channeling his emotions via his best friend, Mike Wheeler. Matt Duffer added, "There is a lot that Will has been dealing with… so many emotions and inner conflicts that remain unresolved… And once he’s able to do that, he’s able to harness these incredible powers.” There's no doubt that Will's powers have come from Vecna, as star Noah Schnapp added that his power-wielding hand motion was "originally supposed to mimic Eleven's, but was changed to an "outstretched hand [facing] up" as though Will is "pulling the powers from Vecna."

So what does this mean for the rest of the season? According to Matt Duffer, volume 1's final scene brings the story "full circle," from seeing Will as a helpless kidnapped child to now using Vecna's powers against him. "If anyone [was] going to be the key to ending Vecna, it needed to be Will." Gaten Matarazzo (Dustin) said that Will's powers "changes the game," adding, “I think that puts us on more of [an even] playing field. I’m sure that’s objectively terrifying to Vecna."

Stranger Things season 5 volume 1 is out on Netflix, with volume 2 set to arrive on Christmas Day. See our Stranger Things season release schedule for exact timings. For more, check out our list of the best Netflix shows to stream right now.

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Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over. CATEGORIES Netflix Streaming Services Megan GarsideSocial Links NavigationEditorial Associate, GamesRadar+

I am an Entertainment Writer here at GamesRadar+, covering TV and film for SFX and Total Film online. I have a Bachelors Degree in Media Production and Journalism and a Masters in Fashion Journalism from UAL. In the past I have written for local UK and US newspaper outlets such as the Portland Tribune and York Mix and worked in communications, before focusing on film and entertainment writing. I am a HUGE horror fan and in 2022 I created my very own single issue feminist horror magazine.  

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Logout Read more Stranger Things season 5 trailer has fans convinced that Will Byers will be the one to defeat Vecna in a wild full circle moment    Stranger Things season 5 volume 1 ending explained: who dies and how those huge revelations set up volume 2    Netflix unveils the first five minutes of Stranger Things season 5, and rewrites history with a flashback of Will encountering Vecna in the Upside Down back in 1983    Demogorgons take on the military, Mike rallies the Hellfire Club, and Vecna demands Will's help in the epic new trailer for Stranger Things season 5    Stranger Things season 5 villain Vecna's origins, explained    Stranger Things creators tease Avengers: Endgame-style opening, as Eleven and co pick themselves up after losing to Vecna: "Normally, they've defeated whatever evil"    Latest in Sci-Fi Shows Stranger Things season 5 debuts to strong but series-low Rotten Tomatoes score, and it's over 10% lower than season 1    Stranger Things creator wants you to fix these "garbage" TV settings before watching season 5    Stranger Things season 5 volume 1 ending explained: who dies and how those huge revelations set up volume 2    Stranger Things season 5 volume 1 review: “Can the Duffer brothers stick the landing? It’s sure looking like they will”    Stranger Things creators say you need to rewatch four specific episodes before season 5 drops: "That’s where we started to really plant the seeds for the mythology"    Binge-watching the whole of Stranger Things before season 5 hits Netflix may not have been the best idea, as now I have to watch my favorite characters die    Latest in News Vecna better watch his back: Stranger Things creators say that one character's "incredible" power reveal "changes the game" for the rest of season 5    Well darn, Hello Games' Sean Murray says the team working on No Man's Sky follow-up Light No Fire is "tiny" and working "in the background"    The Outer Worlds 2 director bravely says Chrono Trigger is "the best JRPG ever and it's not even close" - and that it doesn't get enough credit for being one of the only ones where "you don't actually have to grind"    Star Wars: Starfighter director says the biggest inspiration for his film is Return of the Jedi: "I know the cool answer would be Empire"    Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 star Charlie Cox is right to credit motion capture actor for Gustave, says Red Dead actor, since "it takes a village" just to "depict 1 character!"    Arc Raiders gear tiers get even messier as one gunsmith finds low-rarity mods are by far the best bang for your buck, and suddenly I don't feel bad about my uncommon blueprints    GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS

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