Jamie Campbell Bower as Mr. Whatsit in Chapter 5 of 'Stranger Things.'Image via Netflix
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Michael Block
Published 46 minutes ago
Michael Block is a 14 time GLAM Award nominated writer, producer, and host of the podcast Block Talk. Throughout his time in the entertainment industry, he has worked on and off Broadway as a stage manager, written several produced plays, critiqued hundreds of theatrical performances, drag and cabaret shows, and has produced events randing from drag competitoons to variety concerts!
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In his free time, he makes one-of-a-kind jewelry and gift baskets with his mom. He is a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community.
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Editor's note: The below contains spoilers for Stranger Things Season 5 Vol. 1.
Stranger Things boasts a fantastical sci-fi world that the Duffer Brothers have created for its heroes to explore in hopes of defeating the evils of the Upside Down. With Jamie Campbell Bower'sVecna serving as the story's ultimate villain, we've already witnessed his strengths and power, but in its fifth and final season, Stranger Things tapped into more shades of the monster, including one that takes on a surprisingly endearing human form.
As much as fans love seeing the extraordinary prosthetic work of our favorite Stranger Things baddie — and it wasn’t until the bitter end of Episode 4 that Vecna returned in all his glory — the show's initial return also gave Bower the chanceto play more than a dominating presence with supernatural powers. By ditching the prosthetics, Bower showcased just how sinister he could be through the guise of softness.
Jamie Campbell Bower's Range Is on Display in 'Stranger Things' Season 5
Vecna is an extraordinary supernatural presence, but there may be nothing more terrifying than watching innocent kids be lured to impending doom by a nice man claiming to be their friend. In Volume 1 of Stranger Things' Season 5, viewers were enlightened even further about the power that Vecna contains. The primary conflict of the first four episodes revolves around Holly Wheeler (Nell Fisher) being kidnapped to the Upside Down by a Demogorgon. While her parents and teacher believed she was just talking to an imaginary friend they could not see, the reality was that Holly was really communicating with Vecna, aka One, aka Henry Creel, posing as his newest alter ego, Mr. Whatsit.
With Bower mostly appearing as Mr. Whatsit so far this season, it has allowed him to showcase his full range as an actor. The name, lifted from Madeleine L'Engle's 1962 novel A Wrinkle in Time, is one that Vecna adopts for his human, seemingly friendly form, which also serves as proof of how much grasp he has on the entire town of Hawkins. While this persona all but screams the cautionary warning “don’t talk to strangers,” Mr. Whatsit's bright facade ultimately serves as a trap. Surprisingly, Holly places more trust in him than even Max Mayfield (Sadie Sink), someone who is literally her brother’s friend.
Through his skill for emotional manipulation, Mr. Whatsit can control kids' minds by luring them with kindness, while adults believe him to be an imaginary construction. Part of why Mr. Whatsit is so alluring, however, is Bower’s strong performance out of makeup. There is an ease to his performance, where the softness he exudes stands in contrast even to that of Henry Creel. Bower previously told Deadline that he referenced Mister Rogers as an influence for his portrayal of Mr. Whatsit — and to be frank, it makes perfect sense.
Jamie Campbell Bower Shows There's More to 'Stranger Things' Main Villain
Vecna has the upper hand on Will in Stranger Things 5.Image via Netflix
Stranger Things' Vecna is one of the most extraordinarily brilliant monsters to appear on horror television, with Bower delivering a captivating yet terrifying performance behind layers of makeup and prosthetics. However, many of the most iconic villains only become truly diabolical when they're capable of wearing multiple faces. Vecna's transformation into Mr. Whatsit — a friend to some, a villain to others — is just further confirmation of his extensive power, and pulling off Vecna's mask has also allowed Bower to show more of what he's capable of as an actor.
As Volume 1's final scene reveals, Vecna is back and stronger than ever, especially now that he has given some of that power to Will (Noah Schnapp), but the fact that he is equally threatening in human form is why he is such a masterful villain. Previously, the Duffers revealed a direct connection between Season 5 and the stage play Stranger Things: The First Shadow, and since Louis McCartney, who originated the role of young Henry on both Broadway and the West End, will not be returning, it could allow Bower to fill those gaps, with the show reliving Henry Creel's memories. Ross Duffer has already teased that Volume 2 will have even more Easter eggs, but what if those peeks into Henry's past lead to crucial information about how to ultimately defeat Vecna?
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Posts By Amanda M. Castro 4 days agoVecna's Multiple Identities on 'Stranger Things' Bring the Best Out of Jamie Campbell Bower
Jamie Campbell Bower As Henry Creel In Stranger Things In The Rainbow RoomImage via Netflix
Although Bower has had one of the most difficult tasks in Stranger Things' ensemble by playing four characters in one, he's pulled off the transition rather seamlessly. They may all be one and the same, but each persona couldn't be more different. Depending on the vantage and the individual, it's difficult to say which out of the four — Vecna, Henry Creel, One, or even Mr. Whatsit — is the most villainous, but using Bower without any makeup at all may have been one of the show's best decisions yet.
However, it's very likely that Mr. Whatsit will be retired in the back half of the season. Since he was initially created as a friendly face that could be used to kidnap the children of Hawkins, he may no longer be necessary with that plot now foiled. That means, outside of flashbacks or references to Henry's memories, it might very well be all Vecna for the rest of the series — but no matter how the story ends, we have to give flowers to Stranger Things' best villain and the MVP behind the role. Whether he's wearing Vecna's otherworldly guise or the friendlier face of Mr. Whatsit, Bower has cemented himself as a chilling presence onscreen, and one we won't be able to look away from as Stranger Things heads toward its ultimate finale.
Stranger Things is available to stream on Netflix.
Stranger Things
Like TV-14 Drama Mystery Horror Science Fiction Release Date 2016 - 2025-00-00 Network Netflix Showrunner Matt Duffer, Ross Duffer Directors Matt Duffer, Ross Duffer, Andrew Stanton, Frank Darabont, Nimród Antal, Uta Briesewitz Writers Kate Trefry, Jessie Nickson-Lopez, Jessica Mecklenburg, Alison Tatlock
7 Images
Eleven looking into an opening of the Upside Down with pink light in Stranger Things season 1
Jim Hopper (David Harbour) grabbing Jonathan's (Charlie Heaton) shoulders in Stranger Things season 1©Netflix/Courtesy Everett Collection
Eleven with cables all over her head in Stranger Things season 4
Vecna looking towards Will in the trailer for Stranger Things season 5 (2025)
Max and Eleven in Stranger ThingsNetflix
Stranger Things season 2, episode 2 "Trick or Treat, Freak".MovieStillsDB
The Upside Down in Stranger Things season 5Courtesy of Netflix Close
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