Warning: spoilers ahead for season 5 of Stranger Things, volume 1!
Stranger Things The first set of episodes in Season 5 featured a heroic moment from Will Byers that proved the strength of his bond with Vecna. The first episode fittingly began with a flashback to 1983, offering another look at Will in the Upside Down days after his disappearance. In addition to the terrors he endured in the Upside Down, it was revealed that he came into contact with Vecna early on.
Based on the past Stranger Things seasons, it was clear that Will was still suffering unwanted side effects from his time in the Upside Down. The importance of this connection came back into focus almost immediately in the new installment, as the end of Stranger Things Season 5, Volume 1, introduced a twist involving Will that could turn the tables in the fight against Vecna.
Will has the same powers as Vecna in the ending of Volume 1 of Stranger Things S5
The final sequence of “Sorcerer”, which concluded Stranger Things Season 5, Volume 1 surprisingly revealed that Will had the ability to replicate Vecna’s powers. Specifically, Will was able to telekinetically stop the Demogorgons before killing them. This was more impressive considering Will defeated three separate Demogorgons that targeted Mike, Lucas, and Robin in different locations throughout Hawkins.
Upon releasing the powers, Will’s eyes turned white, as did Vecna’s. It also had the power to break the limbs of the Demogorgons, similar to what Vecna did to victims like Max when performing Vecna’s Curse. Upon discovering his powers, Will seemed to return to his normal self, although Stranger Things proved that normalcy was no longer an option since Will entered the Upside Down.
Why Will’s nose was bleeding like eleven o’clock
A key detail during Will’s display of newfound power was that he had a nosebleed immediately after using telekinesis, which had become a trademark for Eleven. Every time El used her powers, a small amount of blood would flow from her nose as she practiced. However, seeing the same thing happen to Will reinforced the idea that he exploited his connection to Vecna.
There were persistent theories that Will would end up with powers of his own by the end of Stranger Things. Other twists and turns are certainly possible, but it doesn’t seem like Will always had powers that lay dormant. Instead, the nosebleeds were linked to Dr. Brenner’s test subjects, like Eleven. If Will was replicating the abilities of Brenner’s first test subject, aka Henry Creel/Vecna, it would make sense for the character to show the physical strain of Vecna’s psychokinesis.
Will’s connection to the hive mind explained
Earlier in Stranger Things season 5, Volume 1, Will admitted that his connection to Vecna and the Upside Down was never “cut” as they had hoped. The closer he was to Hawkins, the deeper the connection became, to the point where he could sense Vecna’s presence. As the connection grew stronger, so did Will’s bond with the hive mind.
It has been confirmed that every living thing in the Upside Down, from Demogorgons to vines, is connected to the hive mind, allowing the villain to know what is happening at all times. With Vecna pulling the strings, he had been able to take control of the hive mind, using it as a defense or espionage network, as was the case with Will for a time.
On the other hand, keeping Will tied to the hive mind backfired as it became a two-way street when Will learned to interpret what he saw through Vecna’s hive mind. Since Vecna could see from the perspective of the Demogorgons or Vecna’s intended victims, Will was able to keep the group prepared for what was to come. The hive mind’s information also became a major advantage before harnessing the villain’s other powers.
How Mike’s “Sorcerer” line foreshadowed Will’s Power Twist
When Will was initially confused about his visions or the return of the “now memories“, Robin wondered if Will was acting as a receiver, as if his connection to Vecna grew stronger with proximity, akin to a radio station needing a signal. While this notion certainly made sense, it was Mike who referred to Will as a “wizards” which subtly foreshadowed Will’s powers.
Mike compared Will and Vecna, implying that if Will could tap into the hive mind, then he was strong enough to control it like Vecna. At the time, it seemed like Mike might have just given one of his best friends a confidence boost, but he ended up being proven right based on the end of Volume 1.
Will took Robin’s advice to heart, remembering his younger self in a montage of flashbacks, helping him remember that he must look within himself for answers, especially when it comes to strength and acceptance. This realization then allowed Will to stop giving in to fear, which unlocked Vecna’s powers just in time to save some of his closest friends in the episode’s final moments. Stranger Things season 5, volume 1.
Volume 1 of Stranger Things season 5 is now available on Netflix. Volume 2 will be released on December 25, followed by the series finale on December 31.
- Release date
-
November 26, 2025
- Network
-
Netflix
- Episodes
-
8
