Stranger Things 5: The Game-Changing Will Byers Twist That Shifts the Battle Against Vecna

Stranger Things Season 5 Volume I ended on a dramatic cliffhanger, arguably the most surprising twist in the series to date. With the final season underway, the stakes had to be raised, and showrunners delivered a revelation that could redefine the series’ conclusion. But what does this twist truly mean for the ongoing battle against Vecna, and how might it shape the narrative moving forward?

The story continues as Vecna, aka Henry Creel, returns with his Demogorgon army to assert control over the world. Eleven and Hopper journey into the Upside Down in search of Holly Wheeler, Vecna’s next victim after Will Byers. Meanwhile, the rest of the kids face perilous encounters in the Upside Down, all with the singular objective: stop Vecna’s reign of terror and free humanity from his horrific machinations.

Yet, amid this chaos, a pivotal moment occurs. As Eleven becomes trapped inside a lab and Will’s friends are moments away from being overpowered by Demogorgons, something extraordinary happens. Death seems imminent—but then time halts, and the creatures collapse with limbs torn and skulls contorted.

Who is responsible? Will Byers. Yes, the same Will whose disappearance launched the series’ events years ago. By the end of Stranger Things Season 5 Volume I, Will demonstrates powers equal to Eleven’s. For years, the story has portrayed Eleven as the singular force capable of challenging Vecna, but Will’s emergence flips this notion entirely. He still experiences the familiar fear and goosebumps when Vecna or his minions appear. Yet now, he possesses the strength and confidence to fight back.

Will’s growing mastery of his powers highlights a critical connection to Vecna. The narrative shifts from a single-hero focus to a dual-front battle. His abilities are undeniable: the white eyes, the composed, confident posture, the hive-mind link, and a profound understanding of the events that initiated Vecna’s rise. Will may hold the key to ending the nightmare once and for all.

Will now sees through Vecna’s perspective. Unlike Eleven, whose powers stem from lab experiments and external interventions, Will’s abilities originate from the same dark, sinister source as Vecna. This shared origin gives him insight into Vecna’s next moves and makes him an unpredictable and formidable adversary.

When Will eliminates the Demogorgons threatening his friends, he does so in the exact manner Vecna executed his victims in Season 4, demonstrating both precision and dark mastery. This chilling parallel raises the stakes for the final episodes, leaving fans questioning how far Will’s powers will extend in the upcoming Volume II.

As Volume II approaches, viewers can anticipate whether Will will ally with Eleven—and potentially her sister Kali, currently held in the lab—to deliver a decisive blow to Vecna. The remaining four episodes, airing around Christmas, are expected to resolve the ultimate confrontation.

Stranger Things Season 5 is comprised of eight episodes. Volume I featured the first four, which premiered in November. Volume II, releasing on Christmas, will include episodes five, six, and seven. The grand finale, episode eight, is scheduled for January 1, concluding the series on New Year’s Day and promising a high-stakes resolution for the saga.