A Clue Only Fans Noticed: 'Stranger Things' Season 5 May Turn One of Their Own Into the Villain
Season five might turn friendship into the greatest danger.
Every season of Stranger Things fuels fan theories, but this one hits differently: many now believe the final villain could be Will himself — the quiet boy whose disappearance kicked off the entire story back in season one. And honestly, I find the idea both terrifying and fascinating.
Why Fans Suspect Will
Season four introduced Vecna — Henry Creel, Brenner’s first test subject turned monster. Feeding on pain and trauma, Vecna carved his way into our world through the minds of teenagers. Fans suspect his next target is Will.
The parallels are hard to ignore: both Will and Vecna grew up withdrawn, sensitive, and out of place. And Will, after all, spent six harrowing days trapped in the Upside Down — a trauma that never left him.
The Clues That Add Up
- Will vanished the same night time froze in the Upside Down (1983), a mystery still unexplained.
- We never learned what truly happened during his week-long ordeal in that shadowy dimension.
- In season two, we already saw him used as a vessel by the Mind Flayer.
- Put together, it feels less like coincidence and more like setup.
Destiny or Sacrifice?
The Duffers have confirmed Will will be central in season five. That makes this theory more plausible — and more chilling.
Of course, it could go the other way: his connection to the Upside Down might make him the key to defeating Vecna. His scar from the past could turn into the weapon that saves everyone.
But it’s just as likely the story ends in tragedy — with Will forced to sacrifice himself rather than betray his friends. Either way, his fate looks set to define the final chapter.
