Mind-bending Murders: The Grisly Trail of Vecna in Stranger Things

Summary

Stranger Things

Each season of the show has witnessed a surge in its level of violence, illustrating the brutal demise of characters as a means to progress the storyline and deepen character growth. In season 4, Vecna, the primary antagonist, orchestrates the fatalities of hospital personnel, members of the Rainbow Room, and other blameless individuals, establishing a somber and foreboding atmosphere for the entire season.

The deaths of Jason Carver, Chrissy Cunningham, and Eddie Munson not only depict intense violence but also drive the main storyline forward and unite the remaining characters in their battle against Vecna. Stranger Things has always incorporated violence, but the revelation of Vecna as the primary antagonist takes it to a new level. Vecna's involvement stretches beyond the Mind Flayer, possibly even including Will Byers' abduction in season 1. In season 4, this formidable foe wreaks havoc, making him the most terrifying adversary the series has encountered thus far.

Every new installment of Stranger Things has become increasingly brutal. While Season 1 had a relatively low number of deaths, especially those of an especially gruesome nature, the level of violence surged as the series progressed. Season 3 took a dark turn by incorporating body horror as a major plot point, featuring the Flayed and the Mind Flayer. This trend persisted in Season 4 of Stranger Things, which commenced with a harrowing massacre. The responsibility for this carnage, as well as numerous other fatalities throughout the series, can be attributed to Vecna.

11 Rainbow Room Staff

Season 4 of Stranger Things kicked off with an intense and brutal start, leaving a devastating impact on the hospital staff at the Rainbow Room. Among those who fell victim to the horrifying events was the committed group of medical professionals who worked tirelessly in the facility. This facility had been home to Eleven since her birth, providing a nurturing place for her to develop and harness her formidable abilities. In an astonishing revelation during the highly anticipated season 4 of Stranger Things, it was unveiled that the tragic loss of lives among the hospital staff at Hawkins Laboratory was attributed to Vecna. One of the esteemed medical professionals who met an unfortunate fate was Dr. Ellis, who had been an integral part of the Rainbow Room facility.

10 Rainbow Room Siblings

Alongside the medical staff, the tragic event that occurred in 1979 also resulted in the loss of the lives of 15 youngsters. These individuals were Eleven's siblings, designated by numbers, and hailed from the Rainbow Room. Under the care and instruction of Dr. Martin Brenner, they were captured, nurtured, and trained. At this juncture in the series, Vecna, identified as Number 001, employed telekinetic abilities to assault and ultimately kill the remaining siblings. Undoubtedly, this chilling development served as a gripping prelude to the penultimate season of Stranger Things, effectively setting the tone for subsequent events.

9 Hospital Visitors

In Stranger Things season 3, episode 5, titled "Chapter Five: The Flayed," a pivotal battle unfolded between the residents of Hawkins and the sinister beings known as the Flayed within the town’s hospital. This significant encounter showcased the formidable threat posed by the Flayed for the first time. Amidst the intense struggle at the hospital, Stranger Things vividly depicted the devastating aftermath with lifeless hospital staff and visitors strewn about, revealing the extent of the havoc wreaked by these monstrous adversaries – a havoc that ultimately originated from Vecna.

8 The Flayed

The Flayed individuals were normal townspeople who had been taken over by the Mindflayer and infected to fulfill the monster's desires. Their role, however, extended beyond being mere servants. As the monster was evolving into the primary antagonist of Stranger Things season 3, it achieved this by mercilessly killing every person who fell under its control. The creature would stab its victims, absorbing their essence. Among these unfortunate individuals were newspaper employees like Bruce Lowe and Tom Holloway, as well as Doris Driscoll, who was one of the first individuals to notice that something was amiss in Hawkins. Notably, Billy was the only member of the Flayed who managed to avoid being absorbed during this period.

7 Jason Carver

Jason Carver's demise in Stranger Things season 4 was swift and gruesome. His disdainful treatment of the main characters made him far from beloved. During the season finale, Jason engaged in a violent brawl with Lucas. In a vulnerable moment, he found himself sprawled on the ground as The Upside Down began to rupture the fabric of Hawkins. The resulting dimensional fissure severed Jason's body in half, leaving a horrifying sight. Though his death was captured in a single camera pan and evoked little sympathy, it starkly portrayed the impending crisis looming over Hawkins.

6 Chrissy Cunningham

5 Alice and Virginia Creel

: Chrissy's demise proved to be a pivotal moment in the fourth season of Stranger Things. Not only did her character serve as the catalyst for the protagonists' discovery of Vecna's curse, but her untimely death also forged connections between both familiar and new faces. Throughout the season, Chrissy's haunting visions guided her towards Eddie Munson, as she sought solace in drugs to ward off the hallucinations. Unfortunately, their fleeting companionship ended in tragedy, with Chrissy meeting a gruesome end, her bones shattering as she mysteriously floated inside Eddie's trailer. While her passing may have initially lacked the emotional impact one would expect due to the limited knowledge the characters had of her, it nonetheless skillfully established the groundwork for the season's narrative arc.

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Before the revelation of the true identity of Henry Creel, Number 1, and Vecna, Stranger Things delved into the intricate backstory of this multifaceted character in a three-part narrative. Initially, the narrative did not disclose Henry's grim act of murdering his own family. However, when Vecna revealed his origin to Nancy, he took accountability for the brutal killings of both his mother and sister. His mother had sought psychological assistance for Henry after witnessing some deeply disturbing behavior, while his sister tragically became a witness to her own demise. To conceal his nefarious actions, both individuals had to be eliminated, enabling Vecna to cunningly implicate his father, Victor Creel, and successfully divert suspicion.

4 Fred Benson

Another casualty of Vecna's curse, Fred Benson tragically met his demise in episode 2 of Stranger Things season 4, titled "Chapter Two: Vecna's Curse." Fred initially appeared as Nancy's school newspaper colleague. Together, they embarked on a mission to unravel the truth behind Chrissy's disappearance. During Nancy's conversation with a witness' relative, Fred inexplicably vanished. Following the eerie toll of a nearby clock, which marked the onset of a curse, he became plagued by hallucinations and eventually perished while wandering aimlessly through the woods. Fred's untimely demise not only served as a catalyst for Nancy to join forces with the rest of the group but also fueled her determination to unravel the enigmatic puzzle at hand.

3 Bob Newby

Before Hopper, Joyce Byers had a boyfriend in Stranger Things season 2. Bob Newby proved his love for her as he stood by her side through Will's illness and possession, accepting the dark secrets of Hawkins. While trying to escape Hawkins Lab after discovering the Mind Flayer's control over Will, Bob was tragically killed by a Demodog. In season 4, it is revealed that Demodogs are controlled by Vecna, providing a deeper understanding of Bob's death two seasons later.

2 Billy Hargrove

Billy Hargrove’s demise during the third season of Stranger Things sparked controversy due to the juxtaposition of his dark character and the horrendous suffering he endured. Furthermore, his death had a profound impact on his step-sister, Max. Throughout season 3, Billy became a vessel for the Mind Flayer, overtaking Will's possession from the previous season. While under control, Billy coerced other townspeople into becoming servants of the Mind Flayer. In episode 8 of Stranger Things season 3, titled "Chapter Eight: The Battle of Starcourt," Billy valiantly sacrificed himself to shield Eleven, but met his demise after being impaled by numerous intestinal tendrils from the Mind Flayer. This moment marked a significant turning point in his character arc, despite ultimately leading to his demise.

1 Eddie Munson

Despite only appearing in season 4, Eddie quickly became a beloved character in Stranger Things. He held the position of leader in the Hellfire Club, the Dungeons and Dragons club at Hawkins High School. Eddie's connection to the Upside Down was established when he witnessed Chrissy's demise. Throughout the season, he developed a close friendship with Dustin. Tragically, Eddie sacrificed his life in the Upside Down to provide the group battling Vecna with crucial time. While there are theories speculating Eddie's potential return in the upcoming season 5 of Stranger Things, no official confirmation has been made yet.