The Duffer Brothers reveal why Vecna's redemption would've been "wrong" in Stranger Things Season 5 finale

A still from the show (Image via Apple TV)
A still from the show (Image via Apple TV)

Stranger Things Season 5 finale delivered one of the most overwhelming conclusions in recent television history.

Fans across the world watched as Vecna met his end, cementing his role as an irredeemable antagonist. However, recent revelations from The Duffer Brothers suggest that the character's destiny was not always pre-decided.

The creators considered giving Vecna a redemption arc similar to Darth Vader's legendary turn in Star Wars. This alternative conclusion would have been Henry Creel freeing himself from the Mind Flayer's control to help Eleven and her friends. Yet the Duffer Brothers ultimately decided against this path. Their reasoning came from a belief that such a change would discard the character's established darkness.

Stranger Things Season 5's finale instead stayed true to Vecna's corrupted behavior, showing viewers a villain who had ventured too far into evil to find his way back to humanity.


The backstory that changed everything for the show

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Stranger Things Season 5 finale displayed crucial details about Henry Creel's transformation into Vecna. Audiences learned that his powers originated from a hidden rock he found in a cave. This rock had the essence of Mind Flayer, which infected and corrupted young Henry's soul.

The revelation added a layer to a character formerly understood only through fragmented memories and twisted perspectives. His time as Dr. Brenner's first experiment at Hawkins Lab only amplified these dark abilities.

The finale showed Henry completely embracing his evil identity as Vecna, despite being stopped by Will. However, he lost the battle, and Joyce delivered the final blow that ended his reign of fear. These backstory elements painted an image of a soul consumed by darkness over several years.


Why redemption felt wrong for Vecna in Stranger Things Season 5 finale

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The Duffer Brothers addressed the possibility of a redemption arc during an appearance on the Happy, Sad, Confused podcast. Ross Duffer explained their initial consideration of a unique ending. He said:

"Yeah we initially talked about giving him a moment where he could turn against the Mind Flayer and help them defeat it. And I think ultimately again, as you sort of play that out, it feels wrong, and we didn't believe it. He is so far gone at this point. He's done so much evil that for him to turn around, even if there is part of him deep inside that is innocent, that innocent child... I just think it's been buried beneath so much violence and anger over the years."

The filmmakers felt strongly that Vecna had crossed many moral boundaries. His actions throughout the show included killing innocent souls and attempting to end entire communities in Stranger Things Season 5 finale. The Duffer Brothers recognized that a sudden change of heart would undermine the weight of these crimes.

They wanted the Stranger Things Season 5 finale to pay homage to the gravity of Vecna's evil deeds. The performer Jamie Campbell Bower's acting in the final sequences conveyed the complexity of a character struggling with internal conflict. Yet, even those subtle moments of humanity could not justify a complete redemption.

Also See: Who died in the Stranger Things Season 5 finale? Every significant loss that shook Hawkins, explored


The mysteries remaining for the future plot in Stranger Things Season 5 finale

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While the Stranger Things Season 5 finale answered many questions, The Duffer Brothers intentionally left some conclusions for viewers to interpret. The mysterious rock that infected Henry with the Mind Flayer remains unexplained. The creators of this element will be explored in the forthcoming spinoff. They stay heavily involved in developing this new project, but will not serve as showrunners. The spinoff promises entirely different mythology while connecting to the former series.

Meanwhile, an animated show called Stranger Things: Tales from 85 is expected to be released this year. It takes place between the second and third seasons of the main show. These upcoming productions ensure that the Stranger Things Universe continues to grow beyond its memorable conclusion in Stranger Things Season 5 finale.

The Duffer Brothers made the correct choice in keeping Vecna's redemption under wraps, honoring his intense journey and the emotional conflicts in Stranger Things Season 5 finale.

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Edited by Nimisha