Stranger Things 5 Volume 1 ending explained: Will Byers, Vecna and the Harry Potter-Voldemort parallel

Author's Summary

The first half of Stranger Things' final season spotlights Will Byers' deep, active bond with Vecna, echoing the Harry Potter-Voldemort link but rooted in deliberate trauma rather than accident, positioning Will as central to the Upside Down threat. (152 characters)

Focus on Will Byers

The opening episodes shift back to Will Byers, whose vanishing in Season 1 sparked the entire series. This marks the first time the show portrays his longstanding connection to Vecna as an active force, not just a vague warning.

The Vecna Tether

In an Entertainment Weekly interview, the Duffer Brothers clarify that Will gains no new powers. Instead, he channels Vecna via the tether created when taken to the Upside Down in Season 1 and possessed in Season 2—a link now driving the plot.

Harry Potter Parallel

This setup mirrors Harry Potter, where Voldemort's failed killing curse forged an unintended bond, letting Harry sense and ultimately defeat him. Stranger Things twists it: Will's tie to Vecna stems from intentional abduction, possession, and an unbreakable bond granting access to the villain's power.

"It is the first time the show presents Will's long-standing link to Vecna as an active force rather than a warning."

Stakes for Hawkins

Will's intimate Vecna connection anchors the Upside Down's grip on Hawkins. Severing it to beat Vecna might demand sacrifice from Will, though the Duffers avoid framing his arc as tragic.

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The National The National — 2025-11-28

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