With the highly anticipated final season of Stranger Things currently streaming, Jamie Campbell Bower, the actor behind the formidable villain Vecna, has opened up about his return to the series. Bower's portrayal of Vecna has been a chilling highlight since his introduction in season 4, and his insights into the character's mindset and evolution are creating a buzz among fans.
Bower revealed that Vecna has "unfinished business" with Will Byers, played by Noah Schnapp. He hinted at a different approach to the character this season, emphasizing the idea of Vecna presenting a carefully constructed persona. “This is not Henry in real life, because there is no Henry in real life now. So this is very much like, how much of myself can I show you, and be nice with you, in order to win?” Bower told RadioTimes.com. This suggests a manipulative and strategic side to Vecna, who is now targeting the children of Hawkins, starting with Holly Wheeler.
In an interview with ScreenRant, Bower touched upon his initial concept for Vecna and how the villain has transformed since he first took on the role. He mentioned being given sides from Clive Barker's Hellraiser adaptation and Primal Fear during his audition, which helped shape his understanding of the character. Bower created a concept book for Vecna, even before knowing who the character was, showcasing his dedication to the role.
Bower also discussed the creation of Vecna's distinctive voice, noting that it's "actually more relaxed than it is stressful" to create, which allows him to "breathe better" and reach lower notes. He credited Doug Bradley's performance as Pinhead in Hellraiser as a key influence on Vecna's voice. "That's where I was like, 'I'm going to start there, and then make sure that I can put all my emotions, feelings, and resentments into that,'" Bower explained.
Bower teased that Vecna has shifted his focus from teens to younger kids, echoing Will Byers’ disappearance in 1983. Holly Wheeler plays a key part this season, uncovering pieces of Vecna's human side, Henry, which adds new questions about why he chooses his victims.
Bower also offered advice on how fans should approach Volume 2. “They should feel like what they're doing is holding onto their chairs going, 'No, no, no,' that's how I want them to feel, particularly with what I'm up to".
The Duffer Brothers, creators of Stranger Things, had Bower watch the neo-noir science fiction film Dark City as part of his preparation for season 5. He also listed Jack Nicholson's Jack Torrance in The Shining as a significant influence for Vecna/Henry in the new season.
The final season sees Vecna regaining his power after being defeated by Steve, Nancy, Robin, and Eleven. He intends to attach a certain number of children to his hive mind to transform the real world into the Upside Down.
Many fans have developed theories about the plot, and Bower has confirmed that some are "scarily close" to the truth. As the final episodes approach, audiences are bracing themselves for a high-stakes conclusion to the Stranger Things saga.
