In an exciting reveal from the latest season of Netflix’s hit series “Stranger Things,” actor Noah Schnapp has shared that the inspiration behind one of the most intense scenes in season 5 volume 1 draws parallels from the beloved “Harry Potter” franchise.
Caution: Spoilers ahead for those who have not yet watched season 5 volume 1 of “Stranger Things.”
The climactic moment occurs when Vecna makes a dramatic appearance, emerging from the Upside Down to confront Will Byers. Vecna, with Will in his grasp, reveals his sinister intentions to manipulate the children of Hawkins to reshape the world—an idea that he claims Will showed him was possible years ago. After a tense standoff, Vecna releases Will before retreating, leaving Demogorgons sent to finish the job. However, in a stunning twist, Will channels his connection with Vecna to harness the villain’s powers, ultimately defeating the Demogorgons. This twist of fate illustrates how Vecna’s actions against Will in the past could lead to his own downfall.
Schnapp draws a compelling comparison between Will’s relationship with Vecna and that of Harry Potter and Voldemort, saying, “For Will, we start to learn the parallels between Will and Vecna, and it almost felt very Harry Potter to me that I had to go back and re-watch the movies.” This similarity suggests that as the series progresses, viewers can expect deeper exploration of these themes in the upcoming volume.
Fans have also noted that “Stranger Things” visually echoes the “Harry Potter” films. A recent Twitter post showcased a striking side-by-side comparison from an episode of “Stranger Things” and a scene from “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2,” underlining the influence of the wizarding world on the sci-fi series.
Much like Harry’s triumph over Voldemort by using the dark wizard’s powers against him, many speculate that Will may replicate this method in the series’ finale against Vecna.
“Stranger Things” season 5 volume 1 is now streaming on Netflix, with the highly anticipated volume 2 set to debut on Christmas Day. Fans can stay tuned for the ultimate showdown and uncover how these inspiring narratives intertwine. In the meantime, viewers can also explore other hit series available on Netflix.