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
      • The Big Preview
      • On The Radar
      • Indie Spotlight
      • 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
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Hardware
    • Insights
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
    • 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
    • Game Deals
    • Tech Deals
    • TV Deals
    • Buying Guides
  • Video
    • Video
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
    • Total Film
  • home
  • Games
    • View Games
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • The Big Preview
      • On The Radar
      • Indie Spotlight
      • 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
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Hardware
    • View Hardware
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • 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
    • View Deals
    • Game Deals
    • Tech Deals
    • TV Deals
    • Buying Guides
  • Video
    • View Video
    • Video
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
    • Total Film
Trending
  • Best Netflix Movies
  • Movie Release Dates
  • Best movies on Disney Plus
  • Best Netflix Shows
Don't miss these
The Boys season 5
Superhero Shows The Boys season 5: 5 things to remember ahead of the final season
Homelander smiling smugly in the Oval Office of the White House
Superhero Shows The Boys season 5 release date, cast, plot, trailer, and more news
Homelander smiling smugly in the Oval Office of the White House
Superhero Shows Who will kill Homelander in The Boys season 5?
Daredevil: Born Again
Marvel TV Shows New Daredevil: Born Again season 2 trailer introduces a copycat Bullseye – and fans have a theory
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
The Rose clutching a rose in his fist
Marvel TV Shows Daredevil: Born Again could be hiding a hint about Wilson Fisk's supervillain son The Rose in plain sight
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
Cyberpunk Edgerunners
Anime Shows Cyberpunk: Edgerunners season 2: Everything we know about CD Projekt Red's anime
Rosario Dawson in Ahsoka
Star Wars TV Shows Newly spotted Clone Wars Easter egg in Ahsoka season 1 might be a huge hint at the season 2 plot
Liam Hemsworth as Geralt in The Witcher season 4.
Fantasy Shows Netflix confirms The Witcher season 5 is coming in 2026 and releases the official synopsis for the final installment
Daredevil: Born Again
Marvel TV Shows Daredevil: Born Again showrunner has "mixed feelings" about season 2's timely political focus
Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Valentina in Thunderbolts
Marvel TV Shows Daredevil: Born Again season 2 connects Valentina and Kingpin, with possible ramifications for the Thunderbolts
Resident Evil timeline - Resident Evil: Code Veronica
Resident Evil Resident Evil Requiem suspiciously references Dreamcast classic Code: Veronica as remake rumors continue
Fallout season 2
Sci-Fi Shows Fallout season 3 release date speculation, cast, news, and everything else we know
Jazz Sinclair as Marie Moreau in Gen V season 2
Superhero Shows Gen V season 3: Everything we know so far about the third season of The Boys spin-off
  1. Entertainment
  2. TV
  3. Sci-Fi Shows
  4. Stranger Things

Stranger Things fans spot hidden clue about season 5 in show’s poster

News
By Fay Watson published 19 July 2022

Could this reveal more about Vecna’s past?

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

Eleven in Stranger Things season 4, episode 9
(Image credit: Netflix)
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Pinterest
  • Flipboard
  • Email
Share this article
Join the conversation
Follow us
Add us as a preferred source on Google
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.
Subscribe to our newsletter

**Warning: This article contains spoilers from Stranger Things season 4, Volume 2.**

Stranger Things season 5 theories have been swirling around social media ever since the Volume 2 finale aired on Netflix. Fans have been predicting everything from major characters returning to a new villain from the Dungeons and Dragons universe making their debut. While a new theory suggests a major reveal about Vecna’s past could feature in the upcoming season.

In Stranger Things season 4, part 1's finale we learned that Vecna was actually both Number 001 in Dr. Brenner’s experiments, as well as being Henry Creel, a young boy implicated in the murder of his family. Now, some fans have spotted a clue there could be even more twists about his family on their way.

Article continues below
You may like
  • Finn Wolfhard as Mike and Millie Bobby Brown as Eleven in Stranger Things season 5 New Stranger Things documentary confirms season 5 could have ended very differently
  • Stranger Things Stranger Things' Conformity Gate continues with its wildest theory yet, and it's all about Balatro for some reason
  • Finn Wolfhard as Mike Wheeler in the Stranger Things season 5 finale Stranger Things fans crash Netflix waiting for non-existent secret final episode, as Conformity Gate comes to an end

This theory, which has been circulating on TikTok, revolves around a season 4 poster. Netflix releases posters for each of the main characters ahead of the series release. For the latest season, this included a selection featuring locations linked to each of the characters’ storylines.

Eleven’s poster featured the lab, Will’s has California, Hopper’s has Russia, and Steve’s has Vecna’s house in Hawkins. Given season 4’s trajectory, these all make sense. However, it was the poster for Mike’s mother Karen Wheeler that left some viewers perplexed. Not only is she one of the few "side characters" to get her own poster, but her background also features Vecna’s house.

Karen Stranger Things poster

(Image credit: Netflix)

This has spawned a theory that she could actually be Henry’s sister Alice Creel. We briefly met Alice as a young girl in flashbacks with her family. She was seemingly killed by Henry, but some viewers still think she could make a return. 

One viewer suggested: "I think this will be in season 5." While a second pointed out Karen's reaction at the end of episode 9 when the Upside Down particles were descending on Hawkins. They commented: "I feel like that is a true theory because, in the last scene of episode 9, Alice said: 'Mommy look it’s snowing.' And Karen knew something." While a third added: "I’m still so confused on why she had a poster. Even Enzo had more screen time but he didn't get one."

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.

Of course, we saw Alice was killed by Henry in the flashbacks at his house so it would take some explaining to see how she survived this. Although, this wouldn’t be the first time a dead character has returned to Hawkins...

We’ll have to wait until the fifth and final season to see if any of these theories have any merit. In the meantime, check out our breakdown of the Stranger Things season 4, Volume 2 ending, including who died and all of the Easter Eggs we spotted.

CATEGORIES
Netflix Streaming Services
Fay Watson
Fay Watson
Social Links Navigation
Deputy Entertainment Editor

I’m the Deputy Entertainment Editor here at GamesRadar+, covering TV and film for the Total Film and SFX sections online. I previously worked as a Senior Showbiz Reporter and SEO TV reporter at Express Online for three years. I've also written for The Resident magazines and Amateur Photographer, before specializing in entertainment.

Read more
Finn Wolfhard as Mike and Millie Bobby Brown as Eleven in Stranger Things season 5
Sci-Fi Shows New Stranger Things documentary confirms season 5 could have ended very differently
 
 
Stranger Things
Sci-Fi Shows Stranger Things' Conformity Gate continues with its wildest theory yet, and it's all about Balatro for some reason
 
 
Finn Wolfhard as Mike Wheeler in the Stranger Things season 5 finale
Sci-Fi Shows Stranger Things fans crash Netflix waiting for non-existent secret final episode, as Conformity Gate comes to an end
 
 
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 One Stranger Things actor only rated the season 5 finale 3.5 stars on Letterboxd
 
 
Winona Ryder as Joyce and Noah Schnapp as Will in Stranger Things season 5
Sci-Fi Shows Stranger Things documentary director suggests season 5 theory is "wishful thinking," and no secret episode 9 is coming
 
 
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
 
 
Latest in Sci Fi Shows
Maul (Sam Witwer) in a hood, using the force, with his dual lightsaber drawn in Maul – Shadow Lord
Star Wars TV Shows When does Maul – Shadow Lord take place in the Star Wars timeline?
 
 
Maul and Rook Kast standing together in Maul – Shadow Lord
Star Wars TV Shows Maul – Shadow Lord becomes one of the highest rated Star Wars projects on Rotten Tomatoes
 
 
Mass Effect Mass Effect TV show goes through rewrites to appeal to "non-gamers," but I'm hoping it follows Fallout's lead
 
 
An alien turning into a human
Sci-Fi Shows Sinners director Ryan Coogler is executive producing an Animorphs show because hell yeah
 
 
A Grogu mini Loungefly backpack beside a crossbody bag on a gray background
Toys & Collectibles Get an exclusive first look at new Star Wars Loungefly bags inspired by The Mandalorian, Grogu, Darth Maul, and more
 
 
Maul holding his lightsaber in Maul – Shadow Lord
Star Wars TV Shows Star Wars: Maul - Shadow Lord is officially renewed for season 2 before season 1 has even premiered
 
 
Latest in News
GTA 4
Open World Games Fans think they've found the protagonist of Rockstar's canceled spy epic in GTA 5 source code leak
 
 
Peter Claffey as Dunk in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms
Fantasy Shows A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms star Peter Claffey says the in-production season 2 "incredible"
 
 
Crimson Desert open world gameplay showing the dragon mount flying above Pywel
Open World Games Crimson Desert's map is so big that you can go to space and look down at Pywel from the stars
 
 
Exit 8
Live Action Movies Exit 8 director took inspiration from The Shining for the upcoming horror movie's unique sound design
 
 
Kliff resting by a stream in a forest in Crimson Desert
Action RPGs Crimson Desert players are literally running out of enemies to fight
 
 
Nvidia DLSS 5 example featuring Grace Ashcroft from Resident Evil 5 with right side showing DLSS "On" and left side showing DLSS 5 off.
Games Publisher head says "it doesn't matter" how many of us hate gen AI, Pandora's box has opened
 
 
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. GTA 4
    1
    2 years after the GTA 5 source code leak, fans think they've found the protagonist of Rockstar's canceled PS3 spy epic buried in the files
  2. 2
    A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms star Peter Claffey "didn't think we'd be able to ever hit the level of quality of season 1," but season 2 is "incredible"
  3. 3
    Exit 8 director took inspiration from The Shining for the upcoming horror movie's unique sound design: "I think [it] gets under our skin and kind of like mentally corners us"
  4. 4
    Crimson Desert's map is so big that you can go to space and look down at Pywel from the surprisingly detailed stars
  5. 5
    Crimson Desert players are literally running out of enemies to fight after blasting to the endgame: "Pearl Abyss needs to address the map"

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
  • Accessibility Statement

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

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...