Dedicated fans of the hit Netflix series Stranger Things believe they have uncovered a monumental spoiler for the show's fifth and final season, with actor Noah Schnapp appearing to confirm their theory in a recently deleted video.
The Radio Station Clues
In the lead-up to the final season's release, Netflix and Global Player brought the fictional Hawkins radio station, WSQK (The Squawk), to life. This station, used by characters Robin and Steve in the show, has been broadcasting with hidden clues. Sharp-eared listeners noted the peculiar names of the hosts: Mindy Flare and Vance Goodman.
Fans quickly realised these are anagrams for 'Mind Flayer' and 'Vecna' respectively. The dynamic between the hosts, where Mindy is portrayed as controlling and Vance seems eager to please her, led many to theorise this was a metaphor for the relationship between the two iconic villains.
The Major Theory Confirmed
The prevailing fan theory suggests that the Mind Flayer, the shadowy entity from earlier seasons, is the true mastermind and has been using Henry Creel, aka Vecna, as its puppet. This idea was bolstered by the play Stranger Things: The First Shadow, which hinted that a young Henry encountered the Mind Flayer in caves connected to the Upside Down.
This speculation turned into near-certainty when Noah Schnapp, who plays Will Byers, participated in the popular YouTube series Hot Ones. In a now-deleted segment, while recapping the series, Schnapp stated plainly: "Vecna is introduced. He's the big bad, who's controlled by the Mind Flayer."
Fan Reaction and Official Stance
Although the clip was removed, fans captured and circulated the revelation online. One viewer expressed disbelief, writing: "What do you mean they cut out Noah saying... vecna is controlled by the mind flayer."
When previously questioned about the connection between Vecna and the Mind Flayer, the show's creators, the Duffer Brothers, told Variety that this was "a question that will be answered in the final episode." Schnapp's apparent slip seems to have provided that answer ahead of schedule.
The final season of Stranger Things is being released in batches. The first four episodes are available now, with the next instalment due on Boxing Day and the grand finale scheduled for release on New Year's Day.
