When Stranger Things: The First Shadow debuted, fans were practically bursting with excitement. A stage adaptation of the beloved series set in the eerie Upside Down? It had all the ingredients for a smash hit. Tickets sold faster than you could say 'Dungeons & Dragons,' and the buzz was palpable. But after the final bow, it was not the whole show that left fans cold, it was one chilling element: the portrayal of one iconic character. Everything else hit the mark, but one glaring misstep overshadowed the experience.

The rest of the play? A triumph. Fans loved the atmosphere, the nostalgia, and the way the show captured the essence of the Stranger Things universe. But then came Vecna, and suddenly, the terror turned to disappointment. Instead of the chilling mastermind we all feared in Season 4, this version felt more like an understudy with a bad costume. Fans had hoped for a real villain, but they were left wondering what happened to the heart-stopping menace.

On stage, Vecna was about as menacing as a cardboard cutout. In Stranger Things Season 4, he was an evil mastermind, bending reality and breaking minds with ease. But on stage, Vecna was like a ghost of his former self, unable to evoke the same terror. Fans were waiting for the moment when the horror would hit, but instead, they were left hoping for a stronger presence, one that could make them fear the darkness once again.

2025’s Biggest Netflix Exits: Complete List of Netflix Shows Canceled and Ending in 2025

When your theater villain makes people miss the bone-snapping days, something has clearly gone sideways.

Fans of Stranger Things: The First Shadow were enchanted by Hawkins’ theatrical transformation, until Vecna showed up with a victim complex and dramatic lighting. The rest of the show had flair and fanfare, but audiences quickly realized something was off when one viewer flatly declared, "Not every character or villain needs a sad backstory." Another nailed the issue with, "He can be controlled by the mindflayer and still be a bad person," as if the Mind Flayer had started a redemption tour.

Many compared this softened stage Vecna to Season 4’s ruthless Henry Creel, an unapologetic psychopath with a god complex, not a kid who tripped into evil. "If Vecna is just Darth Vader the ending will suck," warned one concerned fan, referencing the exact pitfall they hope the Duffer Brothers avoid in the final season. Director Shawn Levy recently mentioned how Stranger Things taught him to keep Star Wars: Starfighter under tight wraps, something fans now hope the Duffers apply to keeping Henry’s villainy intact. Because if Season 5 turns Vecna into a misunderstood space wizard, audiences may just side with the Upside Down.

'Stranger Things' Sadie Sink Serves in Ralph Lauren Fashion Show, Leaving Fans Gasping

Do you think Vecna should stay pure evil, no tragic backstory required? Tell us what side you are on!