Fans of Stranger Things have been left stunned by the ending of the fourth episode of the new season, describing it as “mad” and the “wildest” TV cliffhanger of the year. The first four episodes of season five landed on Netflix on Thursday (27 November), and viewers have been reacting to the dramatic closing moments.
In the episode, Will Byers (Noah Schnapp) steals the power that Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower) has over the Demogorgons to save his friends, including Mike (Finn Wolfhard) and Robin (Maya Hawke). Will’s eyes turn white as he controls the creatures, and in the final shot, he wipes blood from his nose in a callback to Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown).
The moment is preceded by an emotional scene in which Robin, witnessing Will’s unrequited love for Mike, tells him to think back to his childhood to rediscover his self-worth. Mike also teases Will’s powers, calling him a “sorcerer” because his abilities are innate. Later, Vecna taunts Will, claiming he has been easy to control since being kidnapped in season one.
After seeing Mike about to be killed by a Demogorgon, Will recalls Robin’s advice and, flashing through childhood memories, realises his powers. However, the show’s creators, the Duffer brothers, have clarified that the powers are not within Will; he is channelling them from Vecna, “sort of puppeteering”.
Noah Schnapp told Variety he discovered the twist while reading the script in the shower. “I ran out of the shower screaming,” he said. “I wanted to tell everyone I knew. But, of course, I had to wait two years for anyone to see it. But: coolest thing ever.” Fans have praised the scene, with one calling it “pure madness” and another describing it as “a straight-up jaw-dropping TV moment”.
The next batch of Stranger Things season five episodes will be released on Boxing Day, with the finale arriving on New Year’s Day.
