Poster for Stranger Things Season 1. Photo Courtesy of Diario del Yaqui.
Does Will have to die in the end? Will Nancy leave Jonathon for Steve? What will happen to Eleven? Have the Duffer Brothers planned this all from the beginning?
These questions have been circulating the internet since the release dates of the final season have been announced .
The fifth and final season of Stranger Things is set to release in three parts with the first part releasing on November 26th and the other two in late December. The internet has since spiraled with theories and edits of the show.
Many theories have involved Venca, the villain of season four. Fans are questioning whether Venca was planned from the beginning? According to Screen Rant, the idea of this villain has been in development since season one but had never been fully planned out until season four. Despite this a theory spread on TikTok that the human-like figure following Will in season one is Venca.
The logic is simple: the character looks like Venca from a far, walks slowly (unlike the demogorgan), and brings Will the Upside Down where he lives. Going deeper, Will sings the song “Should I Stay Or Should I Go” to himself multiple times when he is in the Upside Down. In season four, Venca is unable to kill Max because she is listening to her favorite song. So, the theory is Venca cannot kill Will because he is singing his favorite song.
Of course, there are theories surrounding Will as he was the first person ever taken into the Upside Down. One viral TikTok explains, the demogorgan never ate Will because Venca did not want him to. During a conversation between Mike and Max, Mike calls Will a “cleric.” In Dungeons and Dragons a “cleric” is someone who bridges the gap between the mortal and immortal worlds. In the last episode of the first season, Will coughs up a slug like creature that will reveal itself to be a demodog in season two. Will has fulfilled his duty and brought demodogs to the human world, serving his purpose for Venca.
While these theories are plausible the Duffer Brothers have admitted to not fully thinking through the entire show from the beginning. So, they are just theories.
But these theories represent the anticipation centered around the upcoming season. The actors themselves have explained similar feelings along with feelings of gratitude. In an interview with Josh Horowitz, David Harbour who plays Jim Hopper said every actor was crying during the reading of the final episode. “The fact is that for these kids, it was a part of their childhood,” said Harbour. He explains the kids grew up over the course of the show and this idea is examined in the last episode. “I think it is so well done and beautiful.”
Clearly the last season is not something to be missed. At last, all theories and anticipation that’s been growing for almost 10 years since the show’s initial release, to rest.