Vecna was originally supposed to have a Star Wars inspired ending on Stranger Things finale. Here's what changed things

For a hot moment, the Stranger Things finale almost gave Vecna a redemption arc straight out of Star Wars. As Season 5 peels back more of Henry Creel’s past and his connection to the Mind Flayer, the show briefly flirts with the idea that he might turn back, toying with the idea of a last minute moral awakening; A Darth Vader style rejection of the darkness.

Speaking to Tudum, Ross Duffer spoke about how they discussed giving him a redemption arc as he told the outlet,

"We did discuss with the writers’ room if he could have a Billy [Dacre Montgomery] moment where he turns against the Mind Flayer [in a] Darth Vader-type situation."

But that version of the ending never made it to the screen as the writers ultimately decided Vecna was too far gone to justify a sudden change of heart. Duffer added,

"But the more we talked about it with the writers and with Jamie [Campbell Bower], he’s gone so far at this point to get here, he has to justify everything he’s done. And the only way to justify that is to go, “I chose this, and I believe in this still.” Even though he is shaken by seeing this memory, he’s too far gone at this point to turn against the Mind Flayer. "

He then continued to talk about how the final decision on his choice and morality truly lies with the audience as he said,

"We wanted to leave it up to the audience in terms of whether young Henry did choose this or whether it was simply the Mind Flayer controlling him from beginning to end. But ultimately, in terms of where Henry goes, it doesn’t matter because he chooses the side of the Mind Flayer at the end of the day."

What happens to Vecna at the end of Stranger Things Season 5?

At the end of Stranger Things Season 5, the finale reveals more of Henry Creel’s inner world, including the moment he was first exposed to the Mind Flayer. Will suggests that Vecna was manipulated, that he might still be a victim rather than a villain. Vecna rejects that outright. He insists that everything he became was his choice. And that reframes him as someone who actively embraced destruction and justified it to survive his own guilt.

During the final battle, Vecna is weakened by Eleven and Kali’s combined assault. Will confronts him directly, forcing him to face the fear and isolation he once tried to bury. Vecna chooses the Mind Flayer again, confirming that he believes in the world he helped create.

Eleven ten drives Vecna’s body into a spire, leaving him critically wounded. But the final blow comes from Joyce Byers. With an axe, she decapitates Vecna, killing him outright and ending the supernatural threat that has haunted Hawkins since Season 1. “You f**ked with the wrong family” she tells him.

Trending

Stranger Things is available to stream on Netflix.

×

Was this article helpful?

Thank You for feedback