We're only a few short weeks away from the end of Stranger Things 5, but one of the big reveals of the final season has already been, well, revealed on social media.
Potential spoilers ahead for Stranger Things 5, specifically involving Vecna.
Noah Schnapp, who stars as Will Byers, appeared on Hot Ones Versus with a few of his co-stars, Finn Wolfhard, who plays Mike Wheeler, Caleb McLaughlin, who plays Lucas Sinclar, and Gaten Matarazzo, who stars as Dustin Henderson.
Noah Schnapp reveals Vecna is under control of the Mind Flayer
During the episode, Schnapp was supposed to recap the five seasons of Stranger Things quickly, and in his recap, he shared one important bit of information about Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower).
"Vecna is introduced," Schnapp said. "He is the big, bad boss, who is run by the Mind Flayer. We get deeper into the lore."
That part of the episode has not been cut from the episode on YouTube, and it's pretty obvious why. Despite many, many, many theories and the show basically telling us over and over that Vecna is being controlled by the Mind Flayer, these characters have not explicitly stated this in the show as plainly as Schnapp is during this video.
Now, in Schnapp's defense, he had a mouthful of fiery hot wing sauce when he made these claims. How can one be expected not to spoil Stranger Things 5 under such distress?
On top of that, it's hard enough for these actors, who fully know how this all ends, to pretend and talk like they don't know how it ends. It's like if I asked you what you did for the last 10 years, but don't tell me anything you did in the last six months. It's just complicated keeping secrets. I do not envy these Stranger Things cast during this incredible press tour.
Overall, this Vecna reveal is not that big of a spoiler because the hints have been there all along, especially for those who are familiar with Stranger Things: The First Shadow, the stage play that tells the story of Henry Creel before he becomes Vecna. As many fans have learned recently, Henry encounters the Mind Flayer in a cave in Nevada before his family moves to Hawkins.
There are so many other good nuggets of information and lore from the play, so if you can, I recommend checking it out before Stranger Things 5 Vol. 2 when all should be revealed. If you can't, just read a little bit more about the play, and you'll be good to go for the last four episodes of the series.
Looking back at season 4, there are many signs that Henry Creel was under the threat of the Mind Flayer. Even when Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) sends him into the other dimension, Dimension X, as it's been called, we see Henry stand in front of the same particles that make up the Mind Flayer. How did Henry get back there? Does the Mind Flayer have other powers to retrieve those it's possessed? We'll probably find out more information soon.
Henry Creel might actually still be fighting the Mind Flayer
This reveal also gives a lot of hope to those who think there's still some good left in Henry Creel. There have been so many theories about Henry, potentially, being trapped somewhere in his own mind. Many fans believe that it's the reason he's rounding up kids as Mr. Whatsit. Perhaps, it's all part of Henry's final plan to get out of the Mind Flayer's control? We'll see in Stranger Things 5 Vol. 2.
Most of these theories revolve around how Mr. Whatsit is trying to keep the children safe from the monsters. We don't know if he's manipulating them for the Mind Flayer, or if he has another plan in mind. There's a lot that's still unclear, but I have to wonder if there's much truth to these theories.
I can't explain why Henry takes Holly Wheeler (Nell Fisher) to Creel House in his memories. I also don't understand why he gives her a stereo with her favorite song if not for it to lead her out, just like "Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God)" by Kate Bush works for Max (Sadie Sink).
Again, there's still so much we don't know, but if Schnapp is right about anything, we're about to learn a lot more of the lore of Stranger Things very soon. All should be clear in a matter of time, and it's going to be really interesting to see how it all plays out, how the twists all fit together, and if it answers the central questions that we all still have about this series and these characters.
Watch Stranger Things 5 Vol. 2 on Thursday, Dec. 25, at 8 p.m. EST. The series finale arrives less than a week later on New Year's Ever at 8 p.m. EST.