A fast-growing TikTok theory is reshaping discussions around Stranger Things Season 5 Volume 2, with fans questioning whether Vecna has a hidden personal link to Joyce Byers.
The speculation, which has gained momentum in recent weeks, suggests that the villain's long-standing fixation on Will Byers may stem from more than supernatural strategy. With the final episodes approaching, viewers are revisiting earlier seasons in search of potential clues that could support the theory.
Memory Fragment Clue About Henry and Joyce
TikTok creators have pointed to a memory sequence featured in the wider Stranger Things universe, where a discarded theatre poster briefly appears alongside the name Henry Hopper.
The poster, which also features the name Joyce, is shown within Henry Creel's preserved memories. Fans argue that the placement suggests Joyce held some form of emotional significance for Henry before he became Vecna.
Because Henry's memories are depicted as curated and selective, theorists believe Joyce's presence is unlikely to be accidental. The detail has led some to speculate that this connection may explain why Will Byers was targeted in Season 1 and why Vecna continued to track him throughout the series.
Backstory in The First Shadow Adds Weight to the Discussion
The stage prequel Stranger Things: The First Shadow includes a detail that further fuels online debate. The story reveals that Henry once harboured feelings for a girl during his high school years, though her name is not directly stated. Viewers on TikTok and Reddit have linked this reference to Joyce Byers, suggesting she may have been the girl Henry admired before his transformation.
This reading of the backstory has prompted renewed analysis of Vecna's decisions in the series. Instead of killing Will when he was first taken into the Upside Down, Vecna appeared to keep him alive, using him as a vessel for information. Some fans interpret the decision as a sign of deeper personal motives, though there is no official confirmation from the show's creators.
Will and Vecna's Psychic Bond Examined Through a New Lens
One of the most discussed points in the theory centres on the unusual psychic link between Will Byers and Vecna. Throughout the series, Will has shown sensitivity to the Upside Down, responding to Vecna's presence and exhibiting symptoms that go beyond simple trauma. The connection persisted even after Will returned home, making him one of the few characters with ongoing awareness of the shadowy dimension.
TikTok theorists argue that this two-way link may suggest more than a parasitic hold. Some fans believe the bond mirrors shared origins or intertwined abilities, and they connect this hypothesis to the supposed past between Henry Creel and Joyce Byers.
Now, this has led to the more controversial claim circulating online that Will could be Henry's biological son, though this remains entirely speculative within fan communities.
Fan Reactions and Growing Anticipation for Season 5 Volume 2
The theory has generated extensive discussion across TikTok, X and Reddit, with viewers splitting between those who find the concept compelling and those who view it as unlikely. The speculation reflects the broader trend of fans attempting to decode the mysteries surrounding Will's powers, Vecna's motivations and Joyce's evolving role as the final season approaches.
Netflix has not commented on the theory, and no evidence has been released to confirm it. However, with the Duffer Brothers previously stating that Will Byers will be central to the show's concluding storyline, audiences expect Season 5 Volume 2 to explore his connection with Vecna in greater depth.
