Insane ‘Stranger Things’ Finale Theory Teases a Major Vecna Twist Still to Come

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Ever since Season 4 of Stranger Things revealed Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower) as the mastermind behind all the events, starting with Will’s (Noah Schnapp) disappearance in Season 1, he’s been the show’s main villain. But clues in the first part of Season 5, and especially the Broadway play Stranger Things: The First Shadow, suggest a much more complicated story. Based on moments throughout the first four episodes and the season finale, it seems likely there’s a big twist coming that could make fans feel sympathy for Vecna – or, more accurately, for his earlier self, Henry Creel.

Henry Creel’s Backstory, Explained


Image via Netflix

The play Stranger Things: The First Shadow—co-written by the Duffer Brothers—reveals Henry Creel’s origins and clarifies that he isn’t the true source of the chaos. The Mind Flayer is actually the one seeking to reshape the world, and Vecna is under its control, not the other way around. Henry was the Mind Flayer’s first victim, much like Will later became, but the Mind Flayer had a much stronger grip on him from the beginning, and no one was there to help him.

If the play Stranger Things: The First Shadow is considered part of the show’s official story, the events begin in 1943. The military was conducting secret experiments, trying to build a force field to make ships invisible for attacks. However, instead of invisibility, the ship—and everyone on board—was transported to a bizarre place called Dimension X. Dr. Brenner’s father is one of the few who survived, but he’s deeply changed by the experience. He later learns a Russian spy stole some of the experimental technology and concealed it in the Nevada desert. A young Henry Creel stumbles upon this hidden tech and accidentally activates it, which sends him to Dimension X – likely an early form of the Upside Down.

While living there, Henry, like Will before him, fell under the influence of a powerful entity – the Mind Flayer. This control forces him to experience and commit terrible acts. After a traumatic event, his family relocated to Hawkins, hoping a fresh start would help with his increasingly strange and disturbing behavior, the cause of which remained a mystery to them. However, it was in Hawkins that his psychic powers began to grow stronger. He found a connection with a classmate named Patty, Bob’s sister, who saw beyond his struggles and believed in his potential for good, even offering him love. Despite his horrifying actions, she was convinced he could overcome the Mind Flayer’s influence. Unfortunately, his violent behavior continued, leading his mother to seek help from Dr. Brenner. This marked the beginning of experiments on Henry, now designated as 001, as Brenner became obsessed with reaching Dimension X after discovering its existence through his father.

As the story progresses, it becomes similar to what we see in Stranger Things. Henry, portrayed in flashbacks by Raphael Luce, briefly returns home, but he’s of no use to Dr. Brenner because his feelings for his mother are holding him back from being ruthless. He discovers his mother wants to send him away by reading her thoughts, and, influenced by the Mind Flayer, he violently kills both his mother and sister, and tries to kill his father as well.

Season 4 reveals the missing pieces of the story when Eleven revisits her memories of the Hawkins Lab massacre – the event that allowed her to escape, but resulted in the deaths of everyone except herself, Henry, and Kali. We learned that Eleven unintentionally created Vecna by sending Henry to the Upside Down, where he transformed and became driven by revenge, wanting to build a new world. Initially, everyone, including Eleven, believed she was responsible. However, it’s possible the Mind Flayer orchestrated everything, needing a host – and that host turned out to be Henry.

‘Stranger Things’ Season 5’s Timeline Poses Discrepencies


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The show’s timeline doesn’t quite match up with the play’s. For instance, flashbacks show Henry as being too young to have been in high school when he committed the murders. However, a Season 5 scene places Henry as a performer in a 1959 school production of Oklahoma, while Max is visiting the past. According to the story, he goes to the school that night to protect Patty, as Dr. Brenner views her as a hindrance and wants her eliminated.

Ignoring the inconsistencies in ages, the story suggests Henry will eventually be controlled by the Mind Flayer and, while under its influence, will cause Patty to fall from the school stage. This leads to Henry’s father being suspected of murdering his family. Interestingly, Joyce and Hopper’s investigation into strange animal deaths brings them to Henry’s home, revealing the true killer. If they hadn’t investigated there, Henry’s father might have been able to stop his son before tragedy struck.

A pivotal moment hinting at a larger story arc occurs when Max explains to Holly how the cave became her refuge. She realized Henry couldn’t follow her inside, and he seemed genuinely frightened by it. This cave is almost certainly the same one connected to his life-altering trip to Dimension X – a painful memory that the true Henry can’t confront. This is a significant clue for the series, referencing events from the original play.

This clearly shows Henry is still present, but completely controlled by the Mind Flayer. The Mind Flayer’s ability to manipulate him into nearly killing the person he loved suggests it’s trying to turn him into Vecna, using him to carry out its wicked schemes. Interestingly, this is the same tactic the Mind Flayer used on Will, likely because Will reminded Henry of his younger self.

This builds to the climactic scene where Will finally shows he has powers. These powers seem connected to Vecna, the Mind Flayer, and the hive mind, but Will managed to resist their control. Henry, when he was younger, also tried to fight against it, and sometimes succeeded with Patty’s help. However, without anyone supporting him – and with Dr. Brenner actually pushing him towards darkness – Henry ironically became vulnerable and easily defeated, which is exactly what he criticized Will for being.

Could There Be a Henry Redemption?


Image via Netflix

Now that Will has shown he’s strong and can fight back, Henry might finally gain the courage to confront the real enemy: the Mind Flayer. An unlikely alliance with Vecna is also a possibility. The connection to the “d20 Theory” – referencing the 20-sided die in Dungeons & Dragons – seems significant, considering Eleven (11), Kali (8), and Henry (1) add up to 20. Kali’s unexpected reappearance on the show likely has a purpose, too.

It seems Henry never actually wanted to become Vecna; he’s been trapped and controlled for a long time, leaving him with no other option. There’s a chance the kids, especially Will, might be able to reach the person he used to be. The striking resemblance between Holly and Henry’s sister, Alice, feels intentional and could be key to unlocking his past. Interestingly, Joyce, Hopper, and the other parents unknowingly knew Henry before he became Vecna, and discovering this truth could dramatically change everything.

Fans might be surprised to learn that Henry’s story could have a redemptive turn. It’s becoming clear that the Mind Flayer is the true antagonist, manipulating Henry just as it tried to do with Will. Vecna, who is a creation of the Mind Flayer, has always been connected to it, but the show reveals Henry is fundamentally a frightened child who suffered a life-altering experience and lost control of his own mind. Will’s recent pivotal moment suggests Vecna is a villain, but not the ultimate one. There’s still a chance for Henry to be saved in the final season of Stranger Things.

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2025-12-06 21:37