What’s the Deal with Vecna?

Alright, let’s talk about this creepy dude called Vecna from Stranger Things. Most folks would point to him as the main villain, but seriously, who is this guy? He’s the kingpin of the Upside Down, and it’s safe to say he snatched young Will Byers way back when in season 1. Fast forward to the end of season 5’s first volume, and he’s throwing chaos at Hawkins like it’s a game of dodgeball. But hey, there’s more to Vecna than meets the eye! Turns out, he started as a misunderstood teen named Henry Creel – the very first test subject that helped launch Eleven into the spotlight. Talk about a glow-up, right?

Meet Mr. Whatsit

Now, season 5 throws a curveball with yet another identity for Vecna: Mr. Whatsit. At first glance, this Mr. Whatsit might seem like he’s miles away from the skeletal horror we’re used to seeing. But according to actor Jamie Campbell Bower, they’re all just different sides of the same spooky coin. Bower puts it best: “They’re all varying entities of himself.” Who knew villainy could be so complicated?

The Naming Game

So, where does the quirky name Mr. Whatsit come from, you ask? It’s bestowed upon him by Holly Wheeler, one of the little kids Whatsit befriends during the first four episodes of season 5. This name hails from Holly’s favorite book, A Wrinkle in Time, which features a delightful witch named Mrs. Whatsit. It seems like our Mr. Whatsit is trying to channel the kind-hearted spirit of Mrs. Whatsit by rounding up kids in Hawkins for, uh, protection? You know, in that slightly creepy “I’m not a monster, I swear” kind of way.

Acting Challenges Galore

As season 5 unfolds, we’re left hanging without a full look at the whole relationship between Vecna and Mr. Whatsit. But Bower, the man behind the roles, is just reveling in the chance to flex his acting muscles. He mentions, “I felt like I’d bitten off a large amount of something” when he first joined the show. With layers of human emotion hidden beneath Vecna’s monstrous experiences, Bower digs deep to grasp the character, describing him as “pure resentment.” Seems pretty relatable, right?

Scary Moments Ahead

Just when Bower thought he had Vecna down, along comes Mr. Whatsit to toss another challenge his way. “There are so many times where what you want to be doing is playing the truth, and the truth here is clearly that Holly Wheeler is being used,” he observes, calling it downright terrifying to deceive a child. Yikes, now that’s horror for you!

The Road Ahead

We’ve caught glimpses of the chill factor from Mr. Whatsit, especially when he brings Holly to his childhood memories’ hangout spot. But Bower warns us – this is just the beginning. We’re in for more spine-tingling tales as the layers of Creel and his ever-changing identities unravel. Buckle up, folks!

By the way, if you’re itching to get in on the thrill, Stranger Things season 5 episodes 1–4 are now streaming on Netflix.