Yes! Will Byers develops Vecna-like powers in Stranger Things Season 5. After four seasons of being connected to the Upside Down without understanding why, Will finally manifests telekinetic abilities, white glowing eyes, and the ability to fight Demogorgons telepathically.
His powers emerge at a crucial moment in the final season, transforming him from the group's most vulnerable member to potentially their most powerful weapon against Vecna.
How Will's Powers Manifest
Will's abilities are visually distinct from Eleven's:
White Eyes: When Will uses his powers, his eyes glow white—similar to Vecna's eyes when he attacks his victims. This visual connection reinforces the link between Will and the Upside Down's master.
Telekinetic Attacks: Will can psychically attack Demogorgons, essentially fighting them mind-to-mind. Unlike Eleven who uses physical force, Will's attacks seem to disrupt the creatures' connection to the hive mind.
Nosebleeds: Like Eleven, using powers causes Will to bleed from the nose. This confirms he's tapping into the same type of psychic energy, though from a different source.
Connection Sensing: Will can feel when Vecna is near or when gates are opening. His "sense" from previous seasons has evolved into something he can consciously use.
Where Do His Powers Come From?
Will's powers stem from his unique history with the Upside Down:
Season 1 Connection: When Will was taken to the Upside Down in Season 1, he was exposed to the dimension for far longer than any other human. Something changed in him during that week.
The Mind Flayer Possession: In Season 2, Will was fully possessed by the Mind Flayer. Though the entity was expelled, a residual connection remained—one that Vecna, as the Mind Flayer's master, could potentially access.
Vecna's Vessel: Season 5 reveals that Vecna didn't take Will randomly in 1983. He was looking for a "vessel"—a host who could be shaped into something useful. Will's survival of that first encounter was the beginning of a longer plan.
The Duffer Brothers' Vision: The showrunners have said Will's powers were planned from Season 1. The opening scene of the entire series—Will's bike ride and capture—was always meant to set up his final arc.
Is Will More Powerful Than Eleven?
The short answer: different, not necessarily more powerful.
- Raw telekinetic force
- Gate creation/closure
- Memory diving
- Trained from childhood
- Hive mind connection
- Sensing Upside Down activity
- Disrupting creatures' psychic links
- Emotional connection to Vecna's victims
Complementary Powers: The finale suggests Will and Eleven work best as a team. Where Eleven attacks with force, Will attacks the network itself. Together, they can do what neither could alone.
The Tragic Irony: Will spent years being the victim, watching Eleven save everyone. Now that he has powers, he may have to sacrifice himself to use them fully—becoming the hero he always wanted to be, at the ultimate cost.
What the Duffers Said About Will's Arc
The show's creators have been hinting at this for years:
On Will's Importance: "Will is the heart of the show. He's been through the most trauma, and Season 5 is about him finally having agency in his own story."
On the Powers: "We always knew Will would have a supernatural role to play in the ending. The question was when and how to reveal it."
On His Connection to Vecna: "Vecna chose Will for a reason. That reason becomes clear in the finale, and it recontextualizes everything that's happened."
Noah Schnapp's Preparation: Actor Noah Schnapp reportedly worked with the visual effects team extensively to sell the transformation scenes. His physical performance during the power sequences is praised by fans.
Ready to Play?
Experience all the Stranger Things challenges yourself.
Play All Stranger Things Games →