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Will Byers’ powers introduce a significant development in Stranger Things season 5 Volume 1, shifting his position within the narrative as the conflict with Vecna intensifies. The season’s first four episodes, released on November 26, 2025, lead to this turning point.
In the final scene of episode 4, Will (Noah Schnapp) demonstrates new abilities that allow him to stop several Demogorgons and enter Vecna’s (Jamie Campbell Bower) mind. He removes Mike, Lucas, and Robin from immediate danger and gains control of multiple creatures from the Upside Down. These actions confirm the presence of an active connection between Will and the hive mind.
The events in episode 4 establish a new direction for the storyline as Volume 1 comes to a close.
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Disclaimer: This article contains major spoilers. Read at your own discretion.
What is Will Byers' role in Stranger Things season 5?
Will returns to Hawkins at the start of Stranger Things season 5, and his presence strengthens the lingering connection he has carried since his time in the Upside Down. The season opens with a flashback to 1983 that shows his early contact with Vecna. This moment reinforces how long the link has existed and why it remains active when Will returns home.
Throughout Stranger Things season 5, Will senses Vecna’s presence when threats grow close. His reactions show that the connection never faded, and his proximity to the Upside Down’s influence increases his awareness. This link becomes a major part of the season’s plot, guiding many of the group’s decisions. Will provides warnings, interprets signals, and identifies danger through the hive mind.
The Duffer brothers explain that they centered Stranger Things season 5 on Will because his journey began in season 1. They shaped the new storyline around his emotional development, inner conflict, and growing understanding of the Upside Down.
Will’s conversations with Joyce (Winona Ryder), Jonathan (Charlie Heaton), and Robin (Maya Hawke) help him process unresolved fears. These interactions prepare him for the moment when he uses abilities tied to Vecna’s power.
By the middle of the season, Will becomes a key figure in the fight against the villain. His role expands beyond the boy taken in the first season. He becomes the character who can read the hive mind, interpret the signals, and understand Vecna’s movements. As the season progresses, this connection transforms from a liability into a tool that the group needs.
How did Will activate his new powers in Stranger Things season 5 Volume 1?
The twist in episode 4 occurs when Vecna attacks multiple locations in Hawkins. Mike (Finn Wolfhard), Lucas (Caleb McLaughlin), and Robin each face separate Demogorgons. Will senses the danger through the hive mind and taps into his connection. He then channels telekinetic force to stop and kill the creatures.
His eyes turn white, just like Vecna's do when he uses power. Will also has a nosebleed, which is similar to what Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) goes through physically after using her powers. These visual clues show that Will is not using independent powers. Instead, he uses the hive mind to channel Vecna's powers and operate as a conduit.
The Duffer brothers explain that the hive mind is proximity-based. Will can only access these abilities when he is close enough to its source. The power does not originate from him. Instead, he uses the “signal” of the hive mind to manipulate creatures within it. This includes Demogorgons and any other life form that Vecna controls.
This moment changes the direction of Stranger Things season 5 as it shows that Vecna’s own network can be used against him. It also illustrates that Will's emotional growth enables him to utilize the connection instead of being afraid of it. His acceptance of himself and his past is a significant factor in why the power works when he needs it.
How Robin and Mike’s “sorcerer” theory connects to the twist
Earlier in Stranger Things season 5, Robin and Mike discuss Will's unusual reactions. Robin suggests that Will acts like a receiver, similar to a radio that picks up stronger signals when it moves closer to a broadcast tower. She connects this idea to the hive mind, implying that Will becomes more aware when the Upside Down’s influence is near.
When Mike calls Will a "sorcerer," he adds to the idea. He says that Will and Vecna are alike because they can both feel and understand the hive mind's moves. His comment is presented lightly, but it foreshadows the events of episode 4.
Later, Will remembers the conversations. He also recalls his younger self in flashbacks, which helps him understand that strength comes from accepting who he really is. This realization turns out to be significant. He calls on the confidence he built up over the season, and with the help of Mike and Robin, he stops the Demogorgons.
Volume 1 of Stranger Things season 5 is now streaming on Netflix. The next episodes will release on December 25, followed by the series finale on December 31.
