Jamie Campbell Bower is used to playing the big bad — whether his name is Vecna, One or Henry. But in Volume 2 of “Stranger Things,” he takes the character a step further into possibly his creepiest yet, a cult-leader-like performance as Mr. WhatsIt.

The Duffer Brothers have long been criticized for refusing to kill off their core cast members, but in the lead-up to the series finale, it's becoming clearer why now isn't the time to back down.

While the Mindflayer gave Stranger Things a major dose of cosmic horror, the introduction of Vecna gave the show something it seemingly needed: a Big Bad that our characters could talk to, one with his own sinister mind and motivations.

Kali is back in a big way in Stranger Things season 5 volume 2. Find out more about his character and whether or not she’s secretly a villain.

Netflix's hit sci-fi horror drama, Stranger Things Season 5 dropped three episodes of Volume 2 on December 25, 2025.

As Netflix's meghit series comes to an end, Sink is filled with all the emotions as she closes this chapter with her character Max. She's also ecstatic about what's next.

Netflix has ruined another once-great TV show with an absolutely abysmal batch of new Stranger Things 5 episodes.

Start the day smarter. Get all the news you need in your inbox each morning. It's a hugely cathartic moment for Will, who has been carrying a secret he believes the series' villain Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower) can use against him.