Stranger Things, a popular Netflix series, features a diverse cast of beloved characters, including Hopper, Steve, Eleven, Dustin, the Mind Flayer, and Vecna. However, the series’ development is primarily driven by Will Byers, a young boy who is kidnapped, after which his family and friends discover government cover-ups and alien worlds. Byers’ abduction catalyzes the series’ development and continues to be a beloved character in the series.
As the final season of Stranger Things approaches, the focus is on Will Byers as a key figure in fighting Vecna’s plans for Hawkins and the heroes who stand in his way. Eleven is a likely candidate, but Will’s potential role in stopping Vecna and saving the world from the Upside-Down is significant.
Will’s journey so far in Stranger Things
Will Byers, a shy and introverted boy, was kidnapped by a Demogorgon. The mystery of his disappearance led to a series of unsolved events. It turns out that the Hawkins lab was responsible for opening the rift to the Upside Down, an alternate reality connected to our world. Will’s mother Joyce and Sheriff Hopper ventured into this alien world to save his life and uncovered the truth about the Demogorgon and the events that followed.
In the second season, it was revealed that Will did not survive completely unscathed. His experiences psychically linked him to a being from the Shadow World known as the Mind Flayer. The Mind Flayer, a giant, monstrous creature that connects with the other creatures of the Shadow World, attempted to take over Will through their shared mind link in hopes of crossing over to our world. The combined efforts of his friends, family, Hopper and of course Eleven helped to save Will from the creature and close the rift.
In Season 3, Will struggles to preserve his childhood and clashes with his friends who are growing up faster. He remains connected to the Upside Down and Mind Flayer and notices the growing infection in Hawkins when Billy becomes possessed. After saving Hawkins, Will moves his family to California. In Season 4, Will struggles with his sexuality, his feelings for Mike, and helps track down Eleven and stop Vecna. Despite their efforts, Vecna’s plans work and Will senses the Upside Down infiltrating Hawkins.
Is Will the key to stopping Vecna?
In Season 4, Vecna, also known as Henry Creel, gains new powers after 12 hours in a parallel world and brings back the Mind Flayer. This parallels Will’s story, where Henry is turned into a future killer while Will has friends and family to help him eradicate the monster.
Henry’s powers became uncontrollable, causing his handler, Dr. Brenner, to chip him. The experiments on children, including Eleven, continued until Henry regained them and killed everyone except Brenner and Eleven. Eleven, however, was horrified and banished Henry to the Shadow World, where he became Vecna and turned into a scarred monster.
Henry Creel and Will Byer, both connected to the Shadow World’s hive mind, may be the key to stopping Vecna. Will’s traumas in the Shadow World may have given him the gift of changing and shaping the Shadow World’s energies, much like Vecna. The creators of Stranger Things may stage a battle between Eleven, Vecna, and Will under tragic circumstances. Vecna may view Will as a child he was not allowed to become, or as a final vessel to take with him when he crosses over to our world. Will has the power or the answer to stop Vecna once and for all.
Stranger Things Season 5 could see the appearance of another humanoid villain, the Eddie Munson. This could change the pace of the show and add emotional involvement to the Hawkins gang. Eddie, a popular character, would serve Vecna, causing inner turmoil among the Hawkins. They must decide whether to fight Eddie/Kas or find a way to free him from Vecna’s influence. The Eddie Munson/Kas theory does not have a large following online due to its emotional involvement.
Will and Eleven, while not considered villains, have a deep connection to the Shadow World that Vecna could exploit to turn Eleven against others. The main draw of Stranger Things, however, is the grotesque and mutated creatures from the Shadow World. The possibilities for animal variants of monsters from the Shadow World are endless, and while humanoid antagonists can be rewarding, the show also features a fair amount of grotesque and mutated creatures.
The Duffer brothers are considering the possibility of another humanoid being, Vecna or Eleven with a more complex past. Monsters are the main difference in Stranger Things, so they should use Vecna’s success to create a terrifying and lovable villain. To enrich Season 5, a new influx of monsters could be the perfect send-off for the show and give viewers an unforgettable experience.
ALSO READ: “We’re making progress”: Joe Keery gives update on Stranger Things season 5
