Noah Schnapp is opening up about one of the biggest twists of Stranger Things 5, Volume 1 — and fans are stunned. In a new interview, the actor revealed that Will Byers’ long-awaited secret power was actually hidden in plain sight on the official Season 5 poster, confirming that the clue was intentionally placed by the creative team.
Volume 1 ends with a dramatic cliffhanger in Episode 4, where Will discovers he possesses supernatural abilities similar to Eleven, complete with the recognizable nosebleed triggered while using his powers. The reveal comes at a high-stakes moment as Demogorgons threaten to kill Lucas, Mike, and Robin, forcing Will to unlock his strength and save his friends.
Poster Was a Hint All Along
Schnapp confirmed that the key art was designed to foreshadow Will’s transformation.
“Everything is very intentional that we do,” he told Glamour. The poster shows Will positioned above Eleven with a powerful, intense expression — a subtle signal of his role shift and growing strength.
Although fans noticed visual changes early on, the show deliberately avoided showing blood or more explicit visuals to preserve the twist.
How Will’s Powers Emerge
According to Schnapp, viewers are not supposed to fully understand the origin of Will’s power yet. Whether he has a number like Eleven, or whether the abilities came from his time in the Upside Down, remains an unanswered question moving into Volume 2.
“He just didn’t know how to get there,” Schnapp said, explaining that confidence and emotional clarity sparked the breakthrough moment.
Will’s arc resonates deeply with audiences who have watched him struggle with identity, trauma, and self-worth since Season 1. The once-frightened kid now steps into hero territory — a moment Schnapp described as “life-changing” for both the character and his portrayal.
Cast & Fan Excitement Builds
Schnapp said he learned about Will’s powers only days before the table read and reacted like a superfan:
“I just burst out of the shower and was like, ‘I have powers! Oh my God.’”
Volume 2 will debut three new episodes on Christmas Day, with the series finale arriving on New Year’s Eve. The finale will also premiere in select AMC Theatres, marking a first for the show. Schnapp said the cast plans to watch together:
“What a rare, special experience that will be.”
The actor also hinted that his favorite upcoming scene is in Episode 7 and described the finale as emotional and spectacular — although even he did not receive full scripts until late in production.
Themes of Growth & Identity
In discussing Will’s emotional journey, Schnapp emphasized the importance of representation and empowerment.
“This season, he rises up stronger than he’s ever been,” he said. “If he can do it… then I, too, can be my own superhero.”
As Stranger Things prepares for its final chapter, fans can expect massive battles, character-driven storytelling, and answers to long-standing mysteries — including the true extent of Will Byers’ powers.
