Stranger Things fans are buzzing after star Noah Schnapp revealed that the intense connection between Will Byers and Vecna in Season 5 Volume 1 was inspired by one of the most iconic rivalries in pop culture: Harry Potter and Lord Voldemort. According to Schnapp, the dynamic between the two characters mirrors the magical bond between Harry and Voldemort in the Harry Potter film series, and now viewers can’t unsee the similarities—especially after a viral side-by-side shot surfaced online.
A Dramatic Confrontation With Major Potter Parallels
In the jaw-dropping final scene of Season 5 Volume 1, Vecna steps out of the Upside Down and confronts Will directly in Hawkins. He lifts Will into the air and reveals his sinister plan to reshape the world by taking control of Hawkins’ children. Vecna reminds Will that their connection began during the very first abduction in 1983—suggesting that the bond between them may ultimately be Vecna’s downfall.
After Vecna vanishes back into the Upside Down, leaving Demogorgons to kill Will and his friends, Will channels his emotions and uses their psychic connection to unleash Vecna’s power himself—destroying the creatures in a scene reminiscent of Harry turning Voldemort’s magic against him.
Speaking with Deadline, Schnapp said the parallel is intentional:
“It almost felt very Harry Potter to me… the Harry-Voldemort relationship felt very close to Will and Vecna. I had to rewatch the movies while preparing,” he explained, adding that viewers will understand the similarity even more clearly in Volume 2.
A Viral Visual Comparison
Fans quickly picked up on the reference. A side-by-side comparison posted on social media shows an almost identical framing between a scene in Stranger Things Season 5 Episode 4 and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2, where the young wizard confronts Voldemort. The comparison has now gone viral, with fans calling it “uncanny” and “intentional foreshadowing.”
With Will now able to channel Vecna’s abilities through their shared connection, speculation is mounting that he may defeat Vecna exactly as Harry defeated Voldemort—by turning the villain’s own power against him.
What Comes Next in Volume 2
Stranger Things Season 5 Volume 2 will arrive on Christmas Day, promising the final showdown that fans have waited years to see. Whether Will will be the one to end Vecna once and for all remains the burning question.
The Duffer Brothers have already hinted that Volume 2 will be the darkest and most emotional chapter in the series. If Harry Potter’s ending offers any clues, the final battle could reshape everything we know about the Upside Down and the fate of the original Hawkins crew.
For now, fans can stream Volume 1 on Netflix and revisit connections and clues leading into the grand finale.
