One of the big mysteries of Stranger Things 5 is why Vecna is kidnapping kids in Hawkins and taking them into the Upside Down, hiding them behind a massive wall, and using them for something.
Spoilers ahead for Stranger Things 5, of course!
There’s always been a bigger game afoot with Vecna. After using Max (Sadie Sink), Patrick, Fred, and Chrissy to cause the ground in Hawkins to become a giant gate of sorts, Vecna, under the guise of Mr. Whatsit, uses his demogorgons to kidnap many kids in Hawkins, including Holly Wheeler, and take them into the Upside Down.
We know from Nancy’s vision in Stranger Things 4 that Vecna is set on the destruction of Hawkins, but is that all he’s aiming for? As it turns out, the answer to that is no.
Finally, in Stranger Things 5 episode 4, “Sorcerer,” Vecna makes an appearance and explains what he’s been up to.
Vecna claims he is using the children of Hawkins because they are easy to break, mold, and control
One of the biggest moments of Stranger Things 5 so far is obviously when Vecna makes his first appearance in Hawkins, walks through the gate of the Upside Down at the Max-Z, and has a little chat with his old friend, Will Byers (Noah Schnapp).
During the conversation, if you want to call it that, Vecna explains that Will was the key to the plan. He showed what was possible. Now, Vecna is taking more kids because they are weak, easily broken, and thus easily manipulated. He even said they don’t deserve a place in the world, but they do deserve a place in his. He even uses the word “reshaping” in reference to the world.
In other words, Vecna is using Holly and the other children to build a new version of the world in his image. It’s a bold strategy; we’ll see if it pays off, Cotton.
What does reshaping the world look like to Vecna?
There’s a lot going on in Stranger Things 5, but there are many references to Vecna building, potentially, some sort of Utopia vision of Hawkins (or the world) where he has complete control. Now, he hasn’t explicitly said that yet. That seems to be where this story is headed.
Think about it; is Vecna is hellbent on destruction only, why not just have the demogorgons slaughter everyone? There’s no fun in that. Instead, Vecna, who was once the outcast known as Henry Creel in the past, seems to be building some sort of army of mind-controlled kids. I’m assuming that’s just the start. From there, Vecna could, in theory, infect every person in Hawkins, much like what happened in season 3.
Why do I think that’s going to happen? There are a few reasons. First of all, I can’t think of a reason why Vecna, who seems to have infinite demorgorgons and a whole dimension at his disposal, would need Will, Holly, or any of the other kids to do his bidding if he’s not planning on existing with them in the future.
On top of that, A Wrinkle in Time has been referenced multiple times relating to Mr. Whatsit. Well, for those who have read Madeleine L’Engle’s classic novel, you know that the protagonist in that story must travel to a far-off planet where the villain of sorts controls the Utopia of Camazotz, which Holly has already mentioned in Stranger Things 5 already. Perhaps, Vecna is poised to be leader of his own Camazotz, like IT in A Wrinkle in Time? We’ll find out soon.
Lastly, one of the books that is very obviously placed in the cave Max is hiding in is Walden Two, which is a novel written by B.F. Skinner that tells the story of a university professor who tries living at a Utopian community.
If Vecna isn’t planning some sort of Utopia using these kids, I will be shocked. That’s what all the signs are pointing to right now.
We’ll find out more in Stranger Things 5 Vol. 2!