How Stranger Things 5 Delivered Its Massive Volume 1 Twist — And Executed the Series’ Biggest Set Piece as [SPOILER] Confronts [SPOILER]

SPOILER WARNING: This story discusses major plot points from the first four episodes of Stranger Things Season 5. Do not continue unless you have finished Vol. 1.

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The Duffer brothers are no strangers to dramatic cliffhangers, but Season 5 sets an even higher standard. Volume 1 not only concludes with one of the most ambitious action sequences they’ve ever attempted, but it also drops one of the most shocking twists in the entire series: Will Byers develops telekinetic abilities.

“It’s the most complicated thing we’ve ever tried to execute,” Matt Duffer tells Deadline, describing the massive battle inside the Hawkins MAC-Z complex that ends Episode 4.

A Set Piece Years in the Making

The episode, titled “Sorcerer,” centers on the Hawkins team’s mission to rescue children being detained by the military inside MAC-Z. Both sides are trying to protect the kids, but only the main characters fully understand the threat of Vecna—and they fear the military is completely unprepared, especially with the only remaining portal to the Upside Down located inside the facility.

When Joyce, Mike, Lucas, and Will are caught attempting to free the children, they try to warn the soldiers—but the warning comes too late. Will is hit with another terrifying hive-mind vision at the same moment that Demogorgons begin flooding the complex.

According to Matt Duffer, one of the biggest production challenges was the sheer number of child actors involved. Because minors cannot film late into the night, the team had to break their “oner” — a long take that appears to be a single continuous shot — into four separate parts seamlessly stitched together.

Ross Duffer adds that the team spent half the day shooting on soundstages and the other half on the MAC-Z set, slowly piecing together the sequence over many exhausting nights. What began as an exciting challenge eventually pushed the whole crew to their limits.

Weeks of Rehearsal for a ‘One-Take’ Illusion

Although the final scene isn’t technically shot in one continuous take, it required weeks of rehearsal to mimic the flow of a true oner. Noah Schnapp explains that the VFX team animated a pre-visualization of the entire sequence, while the stunt crew recorded their own rough version to help map the camera movement. On shoot day, they performed it as if it really were one uninterrupted shot.

The sequence also marks the first time the Hawkins team comes face-to-face with Vecna since the Season 4 finale. It’s also the first time Will has seen him since he was taken in Season 1—an encounter foreshadowed in the opening minutes of Season 5.

A Reunion Years in the Making

Jamie Campbell Bower, who plays Henry Creel/Vecna, says he and Noah Schnapp had never deeply discussed their characters’ connection before filming. But the moment Vecna steps through the gate in MAC-Z, it’s clear he’s far more powerful and ruthless than before. He annihilates nearly everyone in the compound before calling Will to him.

Bower recalls their confrontation being filmed at sunrise, with only minutes left before the light changed. He describes the scene as one of those rare artistic moments where everything goes silent and the actors are fully immersed.

Will’s Power Awakens

Vecna traps Will in a telekinetic hold and taunts him, revealing that he targeted Will years ago because he believed him to be weak and easy to manipulate. He claims he is now preying on other vulnerable children, intending to bring them back to his “world” and mold them into perfect vessels—much like Max and Holly.

But Vecna miscalculates. Will recalls Robin’s earlier advice about finding inner strength, paired with childhood memories first shown back in Season 2. The Duffers hadn’t originally planned to connect those moments, but realized they created the perfect emotional bridge.

As Will focuses, the Demogorgons charging toward his loved ones suddenly freeze in mid-air. With a single motion, he destroys every one of them. When he collapses afterward, blood dripping from his nose, he finally understands what he has become.

Noah Schnapp says he was thrilled when he first read the scene. “I wanted to screenshot it and post it immediately,” he admits.

A New Kind of Superpower

Millie Bobby Brown emphasizes that although Will displays telekinetic abilities, his powers differ significantly from Eleven’s. Schnapp explains that the hardest part of playing the role was figuring out how Will’s powers evolve, especially because the season was filmed out of order.

The revelation comes after years of fan theories and after Mike repeatedly insists that Will has untapped potential. Finn Wolfhard jokes that Mike’s reaction would basically be: “I told you so.”

A Massive Set Piece Anchored by Emotion

The Duffers say they only create huge action sequences when the emotional arcs demand it. They liken “Sorcerer’s” climax to “Dear Billy,” where character development intersects with spectacle.

The brothers also reveal that the decision to split Season 5 into three parts was planned from the start—unlike the pandemic-driven split of Season 4. They always intended for Volume 1 to end with Will’s full-circle moment.

“Right away, we knew the big turning point had to center on Will,” Matt Duffer says. “Volume 1 and Volume 2 are like two massive standalone movies, each building toward their own climaxes.”

As for what comes next?

Matt laughs. “You’ll have to… click on it to find out.”

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