Skip to main content
Join The Community
- Join our community
11
Premium Benefits
24/7
Access Available
21K+
Active Members
Commenting
Join the discussion
Exclusive Articles Coming Soon
Member-only articles
Weekly Newsletters
Weekly gaming & entertainment news
Member Badges
Earn badges as you go
Exclusive Competitions
Members-only prize draws
Curated Deals Coming Soon
Tech and gaming deals worth grabbing
GET COMMUNITY ACCESS QUICK
For the quickest way to join, simply enter your email below and get access. We will send a confirmation and sign you up to our newsletter to keep you updated on all your gaming news.
By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
FIND OUT ABOUT OUR MAGAZINE
Want to subscribe to the magazine? Click the button below to find out more information.
Find out more
GET Community ACCESS QUICK

Join the GamesRadar community for quick access. Enter your email below and we'll send confirmation, and sign you up to our newsletter.

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

Background
Welcome to GamesRADAR+ Community !
Hi ,

Your membership journey starts here.

Keep exploring and earning more as a member.

MY ACCOUNT

Badge picture
Earn your first badge
Read 1 article to unlock your first badge.
Keep earning badges
Explore ways to get more involved as a member.
Latest Games News

Latest Games News

Breaking gaming news and updates

Read Now
Latest Games Reviews

Latest Games Reviews

Expert verdicts on the newest releases

Read Now

See what you’ve unlocked.

Explore your membership benefits.

Explore
Member Exclusives

Stay Ahead with GamesRadar+

Get the biggest gaming news, reviews, and releases straight to your inbox.

Explore

Sign Out
GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+
US EditionUS CA EditionCanada UK EditionUK AU EditionAustralia
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Games
    • Game Insights
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • Big Preview
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
    • Genres
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
    • Franchises
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
  • Hardware
    • Insights
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Buying Guides
    • Computing
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
    • Accessories & Tech
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Video
    • Video
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
  • home
  • Games
    • View Games
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • Big Preview
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • View Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • View Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • View TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • View Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • View Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • View Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
  • Hardware
    • View Hardware
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Buying Guides
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • View Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Video
    • View Video
    • Video
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
Trending
  • Best Netflix Movies
  • Movie Release Dates
  • Best movies on Disney Plus
  • Best Netflix Shows
Don't miss these
Sam Witwer as Maul in Maul – Shadow Lord
Star Wars TV Shows Maul – Shadow Lord ending explained: who dies, that major cameo, what happens to Devon, and more
Gideon Adlon's Devon Izara and Sam Witwer's Maul clashing lightsaber blades in Maul – Shadow Lord
Star Wars TV Shows After 27 years, Maul – Shadow Lord finally gives us one of the most anticipated Star Wars showdowns, but with a twist
Darth Maul and Inquisitor Marrok in a lightsaber battle in Maul – Shadow Lord
Star Wars TV Shows You almost definitely didn't spot this seriously impressive Darth Vader Easter egg in Maul – Shadow Lord
Antony Starr as Homelander in The Boys season 5 trailer
Superhero Shows Homelander star teases his victory in The Boys series finale, and an unused shot from the trailer seems to back it up
Maul lit red by his lightsaber in Maul – Shadow Lord
Star Wars TV Shows The Maul – Shadow Lord finale features a sneaky Luke Skywalker Easter egg
John Lithgow as Professor Albus Dumbledore in HBO's Harry Potter TV show
Fantasy Shows The wands are on lockdown: HBO's Harry Potter TV show is having to microchip props in order to track them
The Witcher season 4 ending
Fantasy Shows The Witcher season 5 release date speculation, story, and everything we know about the final season so far
Stranger Things: Tales From '85
Sci-Fi Shows Stranger Things: Tales From '85 review: "Makes you nostalgic for the early days of Stranger Things"
Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley in HBO's Harry Potter TV show
Fantasy Shows HBO's Harry Potter TV show has already been renewed for season 2, adapting Chamber of Secrets
Antony Starr as Homelander in The Boys season 5
Superhero Shows Ahead of The Boys series finale, Homelander star seeimignly shades Stranger Things' low-stakes final episode
Mark Grayson (Steven Yeun) and Omni-Man/Nolan (J.K. Simmons) posing on the poster for Invincible season 4
Superhero Shows Invincible season 4 episode 8 ending explained: who dies, where are the Viltrumites and will there be a season 5?
Harry Potter
Fantasy Movies The best Harry Potter movies ranked from worst to wand-erful
Antony Starr as Homelander in The Boys season 5
Superhero Shows Who will kill Homelander in The Boys season 5?
Eleven in Stranger Things: Tales From '85
Animated Shows Stranger Things: Tales From '85 ending explained – Does Nikki die? Where did the monsters come from?
Antony Starr as Homelander in The Boys season 5
Superhero Shows The Boys season 5 features the "craziest line" the writers could think of, but someone beat them to it in real life
Sign up for the Total Film Newsletter

Bringing all the latest movie news, features, and reviews to your inbox


By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

You are now subscribed

Your newsletter sign-up was successful


Join the club

Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards.


An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
  1. Entertainment
  2. TV
  3. Sci-Fi Shows
  4. Stranger Things

Stranger Things star says Vecna and Will's relationship mirrors that of Harry Potter and Voldemort, and the side-by-side shot is uncanny

News
By Megan Garside published 28 November 2025

Stranger Things season 5 may just be Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows part 3

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Will Byers and Vecna in Stranger Things season 5
(Image credit: Netflix)
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Pinterest
  • Flipboard
  • Email
Share this article
0
Join the conversation
Follow us
Add us as a preferred source on Google
Subscribe to our newsletter

There's no doubt that the final scene of Stranger Things season 5 volume 1 had all of our jaws on the floor, but star Noah Schnapp says that the inspiration behind that tense showdown actually came from Harry Potter movies, and we can really see it.

Warning: major spoilers follow for Stranger Things season 5 volume 1, so turn back now if you haven't seen it, and check out our Stranger Things season 5 volume 1 review.

At the end of volume 1, Vecna finally made his dramatic entrance when he stepped out of the Upside Down into Hawkins. He holds Will in the air and tells him of his plan to take the children of Hawkins and use them to "reshape the world," and that Will showed him it was possible all those years ago (for more on that, read our Stranger Things season 5 volume 1 ending explained). Vecna then drops Will and goes back into the Upside Down, leaving the Domogorgons to finish off Will and his friends.

Latest Videos From
You may like
  • Lucas, Dustin, Will, and Mike in Stranger Things: Tales From '85 Stranger Things: Tales From '85 gives us the epic final showdown we deserved in season 5 – and there's not even a Demogorgon in sight
  • Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter in HBO's Harry Potter TV show Harry Potter HBO trailer is "uncanny" and " looks like a live action version of a live action movie," reactions say
  • Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter in HBO's Harry Potter TV show Harry Potter TV series release date, cast, trailer, plot, and more news

However, through channeling his emotions, Will is able to harness Vecna's powers via their connection and kill the Demogorgons. It becomes clear that what Vecna did to Will when he kidnapped him in 1983 may be the very thing that ends him. In this sense, Will and Vecna's relationship sure does have a familiar feeling, and that is no mistake, as star Noah Schanpp says that it is akin to that of Harry Potter and Lord Voldemort in the Harry Potter film series.

"For Will, we start to learn the parallels between Will and Vecna, and it almost felt very Harry Potter to me that I had to go back and re-watch the movies, because the Harry Potter-Voldemort relationship felt very close to Will and Vecna," said Schnapp to Deadline, adding that the similarities between the two will become clearer in volume 2. "So just kind of exploring those parallels and what that means."

Not only does Stranger Things reflect the fantastical hero and villain duo in the writing, but it looks like the Harry Potter series inspired the sci-fi show visually, too. One fan took to Twitter to share a side-by-side from episode 4 and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2, and the side-by-side shot is uncanny. Check out the post below.

Noah Schnapp teases that the connection between Will and Vecna mirrors Harry Potter and Voldemort, and it will be more obvious in Volume 2. pic.twitter.com/2fZqtUDy3TNovember 28, 2025

As we know, in the final Harry Potter film, the young wizard is able to use Voldemort's powers against him, finally killing him. We have a feeling that Will may just do the same to Vecna in the Stranger Things season 5 finale.

Sign up for the Total Film Newsletter

Bringing all the latest movie news, features, and reviews to your inbox

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

Stranger Things season 5 volume 1 is out on Netflix, with volume 2 set to arrive on Christmas Day. See our Stranger Things season release schedule for exact timings. For more, check out our list of the best Netflix shows to stream right now.

CATEGORIES
Netflix Streaming Services
Megan Garside
Megan Garside
Social Links Navigation
Junior Social Media Editor, GamesRadar+

I'm the Junior Social Media Editor here at GamesRadar+, handling all of Total Film's social platforms. However, I also write, covering all things film and TV for the site's entertainment section. I joined GamesRadar+ in 2023 and have been here ever since. I previously worked in communications after graduating with an MA in journalism. In my spare time, you can find me binging horror movies or getting lost in a cosy little game on my Switch.

You must confirm your public display name before commenting

Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.

Read more
Lucas, Dustin, Will, and Mike in Stranger Things: Tales From '85
Animated Shows Stranger Things: Tales From '85 gives us the epic final showdown we deserved in season 5 – and there's not even a Demogorgon in sight
 
 
Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter in HBO's Harry Potter TV show
Fantasy Shows Harry Potter HBO trailer is "uncanny" and " looks like a live action version of a live action movie," reactions say
 
 
Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter in HBO's Harry Potter TV show
HBO Harry Potter TV series release date, cast, trailer, plot, and more news
 
 
Antony Starr as Homelander in The Boys season 5
Superhero Shows Ahead of The Boys series finale, Homelander star seeimignly shades Stranger Things' low-stakes final episode
 
 
Caleb McLaughlin as Lucas, Sadie Sink as Max, Noah Schnapp as Will, and Gaten Matarazzo as Dustin in Stranger Things season 5
Sci-Fi Shows Stranger Things season 5 Netflix views are behind season 4, with no real chance of overtaking
 
 
Nikki, Mike, Eleven, and Mrs. Baxter in Stranger Things: Tales From '85
Animated Shows New Stranger Things: Tales from '85 trailer is giving us serious Scooby-Doo: Monsters Unleashed vibes
 
 
Latest in Sci Fi Shows
Ahsoka
Star Wars TV Shows Dave Filoni gives Ahsoka season 2 update and says he's "not really worried" about rumor it will end with season 2
 
 
Maul (Sam Witwer) in a hood, using the force, with his dual lightsaber drawn in Maul – Shadow Lord
Star Wars TV Shows Maul – Shadow Lord episode 8 doesn't stick exactly to canon, but star Sam Witwer says it was done with intention
 
 
Katee Sackhoff as Kara "Starbuck" Thrace, aiming a gun, in Battlestar Galactica.
Sci-Fi Shows Paramount Plus just added the best sci-fi show of the 2000s to its library
 
 
Maul lit red by his lightsaber in Maul – Shadow Lord
Star Wars TV Shows The Maul – Shadow Lord finale features a sneaky Luke Skywalker Easter egg
 
 
The Boroughs
Sci-Fi Shows New trailer for Stranger Things creators' next Netflix sci-fi show teases monsters in a community for senior citizens
 
 
Ewan McGregor in Obi-Wan Kenobi episode 4
Star Wars TV Shows Star Wars fans are seeing how "powerful" Obi-Wan is after the Maul - Shadow Lord finale
 
 
Latest in News
Elena looks concerned in Uncharted 4
Action Games Uncharted 4 dataminer uncovers lost version from Amy Hennig with new cutscenes, more Elena
 
 
Subnautica 2
Survival Games Subnautica 2 hit 5 million Steam wishlists days before early access launch, so everyone gets a gift
 
 
Mouse: P.I. For Hire
FPS Games Mouse: P.I. for Hire made all its money back in a month, selling 730,000 copies
 
 
Diablo 4 Lord of Hatred
Diablo First Diablo 4 Lord of Hatred patch nerfs the Butcher, makes charms easier to find, and plenty more
 
 
The GameSir G7 Pro 8K PC Aimlabs Edition in a marketing image
Gaming Controllers GameSir officially launches the PC version of its G7 Pro controller, unlocking a ludicrous 8,000Hz polling rate for less than $100
 
 
Link is shocked in The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD.
The Legend of Zelda WWE Champion Cody Rhodes "got a cease and desist from Nintendo" over using Zelda's Triforce on his gear
 
 
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. Matthew Rhys as Tom Loftis in Widow's Bay.
    1
    Apple TV's new horror comedy is so charming and evocative, it's the sort of show you want to live inside
  2. 2
    Uncharted 4 dataminer uncovers lost version from Amy Hennig with new cutscenes, more Elena
  3. 3
    Subnautica 2 hit 5 million Steam wishlists days before early access launch, so everyone gets a gift
  4. 4
    Mouse: P.I. for Hire made all its money back in a month, selling 730,000 copies
  5. 5
    GameSir officially launches the PC version of its G7 Pro controller, unlocking a ludicrous 8,000Hz polling rate for less than $100

GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • Terms and conditions
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Accessibility statement
  • Careers
  • About us
  • Advertise with us
  • Review guidelines
  • Write for us

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...