If you have Netflix, you know the most popular show right now is Stranger Things. After three years of waiting, Season 4 has finally been released, and, in my opinion, it was well worth the wait.
However, fans are left waiting after the seventh episode of Volume 1. There are tons of fan theories swirling around, and today I thought I’d talk about some of the most popular ones. Warning: major spoilers ahead!
1. Ms. Kelly is an Ally to Vecna
There seemed to be a pattern in every victim of Vecna’s: they all had something “haunting” them. Also, all of his victims were visiting the school counselor, Ms. Kelly. Fans have noticed that Ms. Kelly wears a gold, key-shaped necklace at all times. Some fans speculate it could fit into the grandfather clock that every victim is shown before Vecna strikes. It is possible that Ms. Kelly could be giving this intel to Vecna to help him choose his next victim.
2. 001/Vecna is 11’s Father
This one seems a little far-fetched, but fans have theorized that 001, who is later revealed to be Vecna, is 11’s father. A strong connection is shown between the two, and he is made out to be a sort of father figure to the young 11. He tells her how he thinks they are similar, and even feels such a strong connection with her that he offers to help her escape from the lab. Dr. Brenner was able to recreate 001’s powers with many of the children, but there hasn't been anyone as strong as 11 or 001.
3. 008 Returns
It has recently been discussed on social media that 008 might make a return in Season 4 of Stranger Things. The one episode where we met her in Season 2 seemed a bit random to most fans, too random to leave by itself. If we know one thing about Stranger Things, it’s to expect the unexpected. Fans think that the Duffer Brothers wouldn’t have put this episode in the season if it didn’t have a bigger purpose. 011 will likely need help if she is going to take on Vecna, especially considering her recent loss of powers. Is it possible that 008 could return to help her?
4. Will is the Real Villain
Another theory that seems a little bit strange and unbelievable, but some of the evidence lines up. A big mystery within Season 4 is Will’s painting. It has been mentioned and spotted in several different instances, but we still don’t know what’s in the painting. It’s become a sort of mystery, as well as Will’s character. He hasn’t played a large role yet in Season 4, and considering his past trauma, this is sort of strange. Fans also noticed that when Victor Creel was describing his son who turned out to be Vecna, it oddly aligned with the way Joyce describes Will in Season 1. Due to Will’s previous connection with the Upside Down, it is believed that Will still shares these memories with Vecna and that when he loses them, he will die. This theory also stems from the fact that Noah Schnapp will be attending college during the show's final season, Season 5.
5. Steve Dies
As heartbreaking as it is to imagine, the most popular fan theory has to do with Steve’s death. He is one of my favorite characters, along with many other Stranger Things fans. Considering none of the main characters have died yet in the show, it’s inevitable that a significant death will unfold in the last two episodes. Season 4 seems to be glorifying Steve and painting him as a hero. He has also been seen rekindling his romance with Nancy, which fans took as a hint that he may ultimately be killed off, but at least given a happy ending where he famously “wins the girl.”
Though there are many more all over social media, those are a few of the most popular Stranger Things fan theories. The last two episodes of the season come out on July 1st, and I hope you are just as excited to watch as I am!