Summary
New photos have emerged showing filming on the set ofStranger Thingsseason 5, and while the snaps will likely whet appetites for the Netflix show’s upcoming return, they also partially debunk a popular villain theory. Though it’s yet to be confirmed,Stranger Thingsseason 5is expected to be released in 2025, and, as such, filming is currently well underway. In recent weeks, various photos from the set of the new season have found their way online, including a bunch from a familiar location that could hint at where the fifth and final season is headed.
The last time viewers took a trip to Hawkins, Indiana, was back in 2022 when season 4 of the hit sci-fi horror show was released in two parts over the summer of that year. Though some aspects of the story were tied up,Stranger Thingsseason 4’s endingleft certain things unexplained and provided a lot of set-ups for the next installment. There are lots of greatStranger Thingsseason 5 theories that could explain what the show has in store. However, thanks to new set photos, at least one popular theory has at least been partly disproved.
The Complete Stranger Things Timeline Explained
Take a closer look at the complete Stranger Things timeline, beginning with the founding of Hawkins, Indiana, and what we know about season 5.
Stranger Things Season 5 Set Photos Return To Vecna’s Childhood Home
Henry Creel’s Home Could Have Another Big Role To Play
Stranger Thingsseason 4 introduced a new antagonist in the form of Jamie Campbell Bower’s Vecna, a malevolent and cruel being from the Upside Down. Vecna was later revealed to be the grown-up version of Henry Creel, a boy with telepathic abilities who later supervised and befriended Eleven at Hawkins National Laboratory.The large mansion-like home of the Creel family played a big role in season 4, being a gateway to the Upside Down. Now, set photos fromStranger Things season 5 show that the Creel Housewill once again feature in the show.
The photos, which were shared on X by@SThingsSpoilers, show a row of production trucks lined up outside the house previously used for the Creel home. NoStranger Thingscastmembers are featured in any of the four images shared, and, at this stage, it’s not clear how prominent a role the house will have in the upcoming season. However, the fact that Vecna’s childhood home will once again appear inStranger Thingsmay be very significant in terms of its villain story.
Stranger Things Season 5’s Returning Location Could Be The Key To Saving Max
With Max’s fate still up in the air after Stranger Things season 4’s finale, one returning location in season 5 could be the key to saving her.
The Stranger Things Images Poke Holes In A Popular Villain Theory
One of the more popularStranger Thingsseason 5 theoriesis the idea that Vecna won’t be the “big bad” of the upcoming season, but will instead play second fiddle to an even bigger D&D-related threat, such as Borys, an all-powerful magical dragon who would certainly be a step-up in threat-level.Stranger Thingsoften introduces a new, bigger villain with each season, and with season 5 the last, the Duffers may want to take things up a notch. Vecna isn’t the most powerful D&D creature, and he showed Nancy a vision of another monster, suggesting more are on the way.
Like otherStranger Thingsvillains, Vecna is loosely based on aDungeons & Dragonscharacter of the same name.
However, the Creel home being featured means thatVecna’s plan inStranger Thingswill likely continue into season 5. Whether it’s as the sole antagonist or not is unclear, but the pristine nature of the house as seen in the set photos implies that the new episodes will portray the home as it was when Vecna was a child.
The new season taking time to explore Vecna’s early years in even greater depth suggests he will remain the major threat, as otherwise it would be an odd choice to develop him further. This doesn’t rule out the inclusion of another villain, but it does mean he probably won’t be replaced as the “big bad.”
Season 5 Won’t Have Time To Continue Vecna’s Backstory & Add A Major New Villain
The Final Season Already Has Enough On Its Plate
The upcoming season ofStranger Thingswill act as the culmination of everything. Throughout its run, the show has accumulated a large ensemble of characters, all of whom come with their own individual arcs. As such,season 5 already has a big job on its hands if it wants to tie things up in a pleasing way. Therefore, the addition of a new villain on top of what’s already going on will mean there won’t be enough time to do every narrative thread justice, especially if season 5 delves into Vecna’s backstory.
It would be unwise to eschew Vecna in favor of a completely new villain, given the popularity of the character.
Even ifStranger Things 5inevitably copies its predecessor by being made up of a handful of feature-length episodes, it still feels like there’s simply not enough room for two major antagonists. That’s not to say there won’t be more creatures and underlings from the Upside Down, but a Vecna replacement seems unlikely.
Every Character Vecna Is Now Confirmed To Have Killed In Stranger Things
Stranger Things is not afraid of violence and death, and the show invited plenty of the latter with the introduction of Vecna in season 4.
Besides, it would be unwise to eschew Vecna in favor of a completely new villain, given the popularity of the character. A testament to both the strength of the writing and Campbell Bower’s performance, Vecna became an instant hit with viewers and critics. With a number of mysteries surrounding the character,Stranger Thingswould be better off focusing solely on Vecna as the main baddie of season 5.
Stranger Things
Cast
Stranger Things is a Netflix series set in the 1980s, where the mysterious disappearance of a young boy leads a small town to uncover secret experiments and supernatural forces. A significant focus is on a peculiar girl who may hold the key to the unfolding mystery.
