The fifth season of *Stranger Things* experienced several delays due to the pandemic, Hollywood strikes, and the Duffer Brothers taking a short break. However, this November, fans will finally have the chance to say goodbye to Hawkins and its beloved residents.
If you’re curious about what the show’s villain, Vecna, will be like in season 5, Matt Duffer drops an exciting teaser: he’s “like Freddy on steroids.” Many might argue that the Demogorgon from season 1 now seems like child’s play compared to Vecna’s terrifying presence in season 4.
Vecna, formerly known as Henry Creel and once Dr. Brenner’s test subject, left a chilling mark on Hawkins Lab with a deadly massacre. Eleven ultimately banished him to the Upside Down, where the toxic environment transformed him into the disfigured, vine-covered creature we know as Vecna. From there, he set out to wreak havoc on Hawkins.
In season 4, Vecna’s plan to break into the real world reached a terrifying climax when he murdered four trauma victims to open four portals. Now, with Vecna making his return to Hawkins in the season 4 finale, Eleven and her friends are faced with an enemy more powerful than ever—and they’re unprepared.
So, what can we expect from Vecna in season 5? If his bone-breaking and eye-gouging abilities while trapped in the Upside Down sent chills down your spine, imagine the nightmare of him roaming freely in Hawkins.
Matt Duffer revealed in an interview with *Empire* just how much more powerful and fearsome Vecna will be this season:
> “We’ve been calling him Vecna 2.0, because he’s changed. He’s stronger and scarier than ever, with new real-world abilities. In Season 4, he was deadly because he could infiltrate your mind and manipulate you in that manner. Now he can kick your ass in truly violent ways, like Freddy on steroids.”
Interestingly, *Empire* also notes that Henry Creel’s character draws inspiration from Freddy Krueger of *A Nightmare on Elm Street*. Given that *Stranger Things* often pays homage to ’80s films, it’s no surprise that Vecna shares many similarities with the metal-clawed villain. Both characters began as evil humans before transforming into grotesque, psychologically terrifying antagonists, making them frightening both visually and mentally.
With Vecna gaining terrifying real-world powers that can both psychologically and physically destroy his victims, fans are undoubtedly in for a wild and intense ride in season 5.
The excitement begins when the first four episodes of *Stranger Things* Season 5 premiere on Netflix on November 26th. Get ready to face your fears—Hawkins will never be the same.
https://www.comingsoon.net/tv/news/2045334-stranger-things-season-5s-villain-is-like-freddy-on-steroids
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