Summary
After the introduction of Vecna inStranger ThingsSeason 4, it might be time for the Duffer brothers to switch up enemies in Season 5. For the majority ofStranger Things, the terrifying creatures of the Upside Down have been largely identical. Save for a few different species, the Demogorgon, Demodogs, and Demobats, all share similar traits. As they are all part of the Mind Flayer hivemind, and by extension, Vecna, it isn’t surprising that these monsters share the same likeness. For the final season, the Duffer brothers have to pull out all the stops for the creatures of the Upside Down and introduce some new faces to fight Eleven and the Hawkins gang.
Every season ofStranger Thingshas introduced a new creaturefrom the Upside Down. In Season 1, the Demogorgon was the worst of the Hawkins gang’s worries. Despite Vecna snatching up the spotlight in Season 4, the Demogorgon will always beStranger Things' most iconic monster and the ‘face’ of the franchise besides Eleven. Season 2 ofStranger Thingsintroduced the Mind Flayer, known at the time as the Shadow Monster. Will Byers, after being rescued from the Upside Down, continuously experiences visions of a spider-like being made of shadows. After Will is possessed by the Shadow Monster, the gang uses heat to extract the piece of the Mind Flayer from Will’s body, then Eleven seals up the gate. Season 3 sees the Mind Flayer in full force as it enslaves Billy Hargrove and other Hawkins residents, then Season 4 announces the arrival of Vecna, the mastermind behind all the Upside Down’s horrific spawn.
After Vecna is defeated in the Upside Down by Eleven, his physical body in Hawkins is burned alive by Steve, Nancy, and Robin, then blasted through a window. When the trio race outside to find Vecna’s body, he’s nowhere to be found. This scene leads audiences to believe thatVecna is still alive and will more than likely return for Season 5. While Vecna returning for revenge on Eleven would make a compelling story arc for Season 5, plus the popular fan theory that Eddie Munson will return from the dead as a servant of Vecna, it might feel a little repetitive. After all, the Hawkins gang spent the entirety of Season 4 combating Vecna, ever since he murdered Chrissy Cunningham and sent Hawkins on a wild goose chase for the prime suspect, Eddie.
Season 5 Needs To Top Vecna With a New Monster
Vecna’s character design was a real win for the practical effects department, who pieced together Jamie Campbell Bower’s bodysuit like a jigsaw puzzle after making a full-body cast of Bower. Vecna’s disjointed fingers were mechanical joint prosthetics that added several inches to Bower’s own fingers. It was the first time inStranger Thingshistory that a villain looked entirely human and understood the inner workings of a human mind. Bower’s chilling portrayal ofVecna was what made Season 4 so successful, so perhaps replicating that lightning in a bottle feeling with a new enemy is precisely what Season 5 needs.
While the Demogorgon, Demodogs, and Demobats are the stuff of nightmares in their own right, Season 5 could introduce another humanoid villain to either replace or accompany Vecna. That is precisely the reason whythe Eddie Munson/Kas theory has withheld a strong followingonline. As Eddie was already such a beloved character, seeing him return as an antagonist would not only be a shocking change of pace forStranger Things, but it also adds many layers of emotional investment to the Hawkins gang. They like Eddie. They respect him. If he were to serve Vecna in Season 5, there would be an inner turmoil to address when they’re faced with the choice of fighting Eddie/Kas or figuring out a way to release him from Vecna’s influence.
Season 5 Could Have a Human or Monster Antagonist
While Will Byers and Eleven have never been classed as villains, they have the deepest connection with the Upside Down next to Max,who is indisposed as of the Season 4 finale. Vecna could quite easily find a way to turn Eleven against the others or use Will’s sixth sense connection with the Upside Down to his advantage. But the main draw forStranger Thingsis the monsters. While it can be rewarding to have humanoid antagonists, it wouldn’t beStranger Thingswithout a fair share of grotesque and mutated creatures from the Upside Down. If Demobats and Demodogs exist, then why not Democats or Demosharks? The possibilities are quite literally endless, especially as far as animal variants of Upside Down monsters.
But perhaps, as an alternative, another humanoid entity like Vecna exists. Maybe Vecna isn’t the only human to be banished to the Upside Down.Maybe Eleven has an even more complicated pastthan originally thought. But the monsters are what setsStranger Thingsapart from other sci-fi adventure shows, so the Duffer brothers should capitalize on Vecna’s success and conjure up an equally terrifying, equally lovable villain. There are huge shoes to fill after Vecna, but to up the ante for Season 5, a new influx of monsters could be the pull the Duffer brothers need to secure an unforgettable send-off forStranger Things.
