Netflix drops a chilling opening scene that rewinds to 1983 and rewrites the mystery of Will’s disappearance.

A Dark Return to 1983

November 7, 2025: The opening five minutes of the fifth and final season of Stranger Things transport viewers back to November 12, 1983 — the day after young Will Byers vanished. We find him alone in the eerie version of Hawkins known as the Upside Down, hiding inside his makeshift fort “Castle Byers” and softly singing The Clash’s “Should I Stay or Should I Go” to calm himself.

Terror in the Trees

As the unsettling forest closes in, a Demogorgon suddenly bursts through the darkness. Will sprints into the trees, jumping between branches as he desperately tries to escape. But fate draws him back to the Upside Down’s twisted version of Hawkins Public Library, where he becomes entangled in the monstrous vines — consumed by the darkness surrounding him.

The True Villain Emerges

In a chilling twist, Vecna appears behind Will, whispering: “At long last, we can begin. You and I, we’re going to do such beautiful things together, William.” A vine snakes into Will’s mouth, filling him with dark particles — revealing that his season 1 disappearance was far more deliberate and sinister than fans ever imagined.

Why It Matters

This haunting opening reframes the entire Stranger Things mythology. Will wasn’t just a random victim — he was targeted. The unsettling connection between Vecna and Will suggests a deeper storyline that may have been brewing since the beginning. It sets the stage for an emotional and intense final season that ties together every unanswered mystery from Hawkins to the Upside Down.

What to Watch For

Will the bond between Will and Vecna hold the key to saving — or destroying — Hawkins?

How will this revelation change the relationships among the core group?

As the story returns to where it all began, will the final battle finally end the Upside Down’s reign?

The preview confirms that Stranger Things 5 is gearing up for a powerful conclusion — one that will challenge everything fans thought they knew about Will Byers and the horrors lurking beneath Hawkins.