If you’ve watched ‘Stranger Things‘ season 5 and felt that Vecna seemed different this time, you’re not imagining it. Something about him in volume 2 feels more unsettling than before, even when he isn’t attacking anyone.
As it turns out, that change was very intentional. Jamie Campbell Bower has revealed that one of Vecna’s biggest influences this season came from a place no one would ever expect.
The ‘Stranger Things’ Season 5 Scene That Made Fans Doubt Vecna
In episode 5, “Shock Jock,” Max and Holly end up trapped inside Vecna’s mindscape with no clear way out. They believe the answer might be hidden in his memories, so they return to a moment when Vecna first encountered Holly, even though she didn’t know he was there at the time.
Related: Why Does Vecna Freeze At The Mysterious Cave In ‘Stranger Things’ Season 5?
Once Vecna realizes they’re inside his mind, things quickly change. His friendly Mr. Whatsit disguise no longer works on Holly, and viewers see him move through his different forms: Mr. Whatsit, Henry Creel, and then Vecna, as he walks down the stairs.
Bower explained that he spent time before filming practicing this exact sequence. He recorded himself trying different versions of the walk and made sure his movements matched up each time. He wanted the transitions to look smooth when everything was edited together.
How Mr. Rogers Became A Real Inspiration For Jamie Campbell Bower
In earlier seasons, Bower explored well-known horror influences. He shared that ‘The Shining‘ inspired Vecna’s intense stare, while ‘Funny Games‘ showed how still and unsettling the characters appear while doing terrible things. He openly credited those performances as part of Vecna’s early foundation.
In case you missed it: How ‘Stranger Things 5’ Vol. 1 Marks The Beginning Of The End For Hawkins Family
Season 5 pushed him in a new direction. Along with references like the film ‘Alone‘ and Van Johnson’s role in ‘The Pied Piper of Hamelin‘, Bower revealed that Fred Rogers from Mister Rogers’ ‘Neighborhood‘ became an unexpected reference.
He explained that Mr. Rogers was more important to him because of how friendly and reassuring he always seemed. Bringing that kind of energy into a villain made Vecna feel even more uncomfortable to watch. Bower doesn’t see Vecna as just a monster. He explained that Vecna comes from resentment and lost innocence, which is why memory plays such a big role in season 5.
