Since 2016, Stranger Things has earned a special place in the hearts of those who grew up alongside the Hawkins crew. Between bike rides, walkie-talkies, and Eggo waffles, the series started as an homage to the 1980s but became much more: a story about growing up, facing fears, and losing (or finding) yourself amid chaos.
In the first season, everything was based around mystery and friendship: Will Byers disappeared, Eleven appeared out of nowhere, and the group had to confront the Upside Down for the first time. Season two explored the aftermath, with Will still connected to the Upside Down and the group trying to understand what this dark dimension really is. By season three, Hawkins seemed to be moving forward until the Starcourt Mall became the site of a new attack and Hopper’s death (or near-death).
But it was season four that took everything to another level: the introduction of Vecna as a villain, psychological horror, shocking deaths, and Max’s trauma left everyone breathless. By the end, the Upside Down and the real world began to merge, leaving Hawkins devastated, and despite Eleven’s efforts, it was clear — the war is far from over.
Now, with the fifth and final season, everything indicates that loose ends will finally be tied up and that some characters may not survive, which has fans very concerned.
The first five minutes that change everything
The first episode opens by returning to where it all began, November 12, 1983, the day Will Byers disappeared. The scene shows the boy again in the Upside Down, trapped, trembling, and trying to calm himself while singing “Should I Stay or Should I Go”, by The Clash. The atmosphere is claustrophobic, and when the Demogorgon appears, there is a sense of déjà vu, but something is different this time.
Will tries to escape, climbing a tree, and just as it seems he might succeed, the camera reveals Vecna watching everything. He approaches and says in a chilling calm, “At long last. We can begin.” He connects to Will in a sort of ritual that seems to explain the bond between them from the very beginning of the series.
This opening is not just nostalgic, it rewrites history. What once seemed like a simple accident, Will’s disappearance, now has a deeper meaning: Vecna has been there since the first episode, manipulating events from the start. It is the kind of revelation that changes the game and fuels one of the most popular fan theories — that Will has always been the true center of Stranger Things.
The theories taking over the internet
The Stranger Things fandom never disappoints. From TikTok videos to endless Twitter/X debates, some theories stand out and could genuinely change everything we know about the series.
1. Will Byers is the true protagonist and possibly the inevitable sacrifice
From the very beginning, Will has been the strongest link between Hawkins and the Upside Down, even when he wasn’t physically present. It all started with his disappearance in 1983, and since then the story constantly circles back to him, as if his existence is tied to the workings of that distorted reality.
In season two, when the Mind Flayer possessed him, it became clear that his connection to the villain wasn’t accidental, almost as if he had been chosen. Now, with the reveal in the first five minutes of season five, showing Vecna watching Will at the moment of his disappearance, fans believe the boy has always been the target, not just a random victim.
This opens the door to the theory that Will will be the key to defeating Vecna, but also sparks real fear among fans. The finale may demand his sacrifice, not because he deserves to suffer, but because his connection is so old and central that he might be the only one capable of closing this cycle. And knowing Stranger Things, this kind of emotional tragedy would not be impossible.
2. Max is the missing piece and could be the direct access to Vecna’s mind
Max’s situation at the end of season four is one of the biggest mysteries left by the series. Even in a coma, her body is alive, but her mind seemingly isn’t present. Many fans believe she is trapped within some kind of mental limbo created by Vecna, since he tried to kill her at the height of his ritual.
If true, Max could be more than a victim, she could be the key to understanding Vecna’s final plan. This theory suggests that Eleven, who has already entered Max’s mind before, may access this mental space again in season five. By doing so, she might uncover information that no other character could, such as fragmented memories of Vecna, the structure of his mental world, or even the origin of the plan he has been executing since the beginning. This would place Max at the center of the narrative in an unexpected and emotionally powerful way, as her recovery or loss could define the tone of the finale.
3. Eleven will lose or choose to give up her powers
From the very beginning, Eleven has been defined by what she can do, not by who she is. Her powers have always been both a gift and a curse, and every time she uses them on a large scale, she seems to pay an emotional and physical price.
A strong theory suggests that the series finale may show Eleven voluntarily giving up her powers. Not as punishment, but as liberation. Dramatically, this makes sense. To close the portal once and for all, she may need to channel all the energy she possesses, leaving behind the superpowered Eleven we know.
Another version suggests she might lose her powers to prevent Vecna from corrupting or controlling her. Either way, the end of Eleven’s journey seems to lead to this choice, to stop being a weapon and finally be an ordinary person, free to grow without the weight of the world on her shoulders.
4. The Mind Flayer was never the main villain, just Vecna’s weapon
This theory completely changes how we have viewed the series so far. Rather than being the final boss, the Mind Flayer may have been just an amorphous creature Henry Creel encountered when thrown into the interdimensional void by Eleven.
By touching that mass of particles, he allegedly shaped the creature with his mind, just as he used to manipulate objects and environments in the lab as a child. In this way, the Mind Flayer is not an independent intelligence but an extension of Vecna’s consciousness, an army created from his trauma, hatred, and ambition.
This explains why the Upside Down mirrors Hawkins, it is the world Henry knows and has twisted. It also justifies the persistent connection between Will and the Mind Flayer, because ultimately everything leads back to Vecna. In other words, he has always been at the top of the hierarchy, using all creatures as tools to achieve his ultimate goal.
5. Will finally admitting his secret crush on Mike
One of the most discussed theories for the final season is that Will may finally reveal the feelings he has held for Mike since the beginning of the series. Although never explicitly stated, Stranger Things left clear hints, especially in season four.
In the car, after praising Mike as the heart of the group, Will breaks down in silent tears, suggesting his speech had more to do with his own emotions than with Eleven.
Another moment that caught fans’ attention was the painting Will claims to have made for Eleven, which clearly reflects his admiration and care for Mike, reinforcing the idea that he has always felt something beyond friendship.
With season five promising to close all emotional arcs, many believe Will will no longer be able to hide what he feels. The pressure of the war, the fear of loss, and the intensity of the story could create a moment of vulnerability between him and Mike, whether as a confession or a silent acknowledgment of feelings. For fans, this could be one of the most emotional moments of the final season, giving Will a meaningful conclusion and the chance to express the love he has kept hidden all along.
As the series approaches its end, all these theories show how much Stranger Things has grown alongside its audience and how its characters still carry layers that can surprise us. Whether through emotional revelations, inevitable sacrifices, or connections that have been there since the very first episode, the final season promises to bring together everything the show has always done best.
Now, with Part 1 releasing on November 26, Part 2 on December 25, and the final chapter on December 31, 2025, on Netflix, fans can only follow each reveal closely as Hawkins faces, for the last time, the darkness of the Upside Down.
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The article above was edited by Luna Bahdur.
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