Hold on to your hats, Stranger Things fans, because a major spoiler might have been staring you right in the face this whole time! Noah Schnapp, the actor who brings Will Byers to life, has revealed that the Season 5 poster subtly hinted at a mind-blowing twist regarding Will's powers.
Yes, you read that right: powers!
Schnapp pointed out that Will's placement above Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) in the poster wasn't just a random artistic choice. It was a deliberate clue foreshadowing Will's latent abilities, which finally surface in the mid-season finale. Talk about a sneaky Easter egg!
"It’s always supposed to kind of feel the vibe of the season and give an essence of where everyone’s characters stand in that era and chapter of our story," Schnapp told Glamour. "So yeah, you can see a strength in him on there. And obviously, they didn’t want to spoil it with any blood or anything, but as close as you can get. Everything is very intentional that we do."
And this is the part most people miss... the poster doesn't just tease Will's powers; it also speaks to his overall importance in the final season. Remember, Will was the catalyst for everything that's happened in Hawkins since his disappearance in Season 1.
The big reveal comes in the final moments of Stranger Things Season 5, Vol. 1. With Demogorgons running amok at the military base, and Eleven occupied in the Upside Down, things look dire. But then, BAM! All the Demogorgons freeze in mid-air and start to crumble. The reason? Will is telekinetically controlling them!
The episode ends with Will wiping blood from his nose, a clear parallel to Eleven's power-induced nosebleeds. It's a powerful visual confirmation of what's been hinted at for seasons: Will is more than just a victim; he's a force to be reckoned with.
Schnapp previously discussed the episode’s conclusion with Deadline, shedding light on Will's inner strength: “I think people mistake fear for weakness. Will has had a lot of fear through the years, because of what he’s had to endure, but that doesn’t mean he’s weak,” he explained. “He’s pushed through that and come out stronger, and he does it scared every time. He always comes back, and he never crumbles. So that is his strength, and I think he shows that in the end, that he is stronger than we all think.”
Co-creator Matt Duffer echoed this sentiment, emphasizing Will's significance in Season 5: "When we first started talking about Season 5, we started talking about Will. He was a little bit more out of the picture in Season 4, but he’s a central character. He’s the character who kicked it all off, and a lot of this season was about going full circle and going back to the beginning, which raised questions about how he vanished and whatnot."
Duffer added, "But more than that, this was about Will’s journey in terms of finding out really who he was, and coming to terms with that. So we liked the idea of tying that into some of the more supernatural elements, that in order to become his most powerful self, he had to also really come to terms with who he is.”
But here's where it gets controversial... Does Will's newfound power mean he'll become a rival to Eleven? Or will they work together to defeat the ultimate evil? It's a question that's sure to spark debate among fans.
The first four episodes of Stranger Things Season 5 are currently available on Netflix. Get ready for more thrills and chills as the next three episodes drop on Christmas, followed by the epic finale on New Year’s Eve.
Now, it's your turn! What do you think of Will's powers? Were you surprised by the reveal, or did you see it coming? And more importantly, how will his abilities impact the final battle against the Upside Down? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
