Does This Popular 'Stranger Things' Fan Theory Really Hold Water?
By Andrew Sanford | News | October 31, 2025
The Monster’s Timeline in Hawkins
One of the highlights of the fourth season of Stranger Things was how it connected past storylines. The season smoothly integrated the main antagonist, Vecna, into earlier events. This villain, initially appearing new, actually shares a history with Eleven and all the Hawkins kids. We had unknowingly seen him before, but in different forms. The reveal felt almost like a clever trick.
A villain we thought had just been introduced had a past with Eleven, and all the kids of Hawkins, for that matter, and we had already seen him in different forms.
Retconning or Intentional Planning?
Some elements seem like retroactive changes—Vecna is described as a projection of a smaller monster, with mindless servants carrying out his evil deeds. Notably, this villain is responsible for the darkest acts, not the Demogorgon that terrorized Hawkins in the first season. This distinction remains unconfirmed by the show's creators but has sparked significant fan speculation.
Fan Investigation and Theories
Fans have revisited the first episode, piecing together clues that hint this new interpretation might hold weight. One standout event is Will Byers’ disappearance, a crucial plot of season one. He is abducted by a shadowy figure and taken to the Upside Down. Initially, many assumed it was the Demogorgon, but the figure’s behavior differs notably from later depictions of that monster—it moves stealthily and deliberately.
Will Byers’ disappearance is the most important story of season one. He’s abducted by a shadowy figure and taken to the Upside Down. At the time, we could have assumed it was the season’s frightful Demogorgon. However, it behaves much differently than we see them do in later seasons.
Summary
Whether these connections result from careful foresight or last-minute changes remains open to debate, but the theory adds a new layer to the show's mythology.
Author’s Conclusion
This evolving fan theory reshapes our understanding of the monsters in Hawkins, enriching the series with deeper mysteries and intertwined pasts.