Stranger Things Season 5 Premiere Reveals Will’s Terrifying Origin Story at Netflix TUDUM

Netflix has finally unveiled the first five minutes of Stranger Things Season 5. The exclusive clip premiered during the global TUDUM fan event. It was shown at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood on November 6, 2025.This long-awaited preview provides a chilling look at the final season’s opening. It directly answers a major mystery from the show’s first year. The scene is described as one of the series’ most brutal sequences yet.

A Harrowing Flashback to 1983

The premiere scene is a flashback to 1983. It shows Will Byers immediately after his abduction by the Demogorgon. According to Reuters, the sequence takes place entirely within the Upside Down.A young Will is seen waking up disoriented in the eerie forest. He hears the distinct growl of the Demogorgon approaching. The creature quickly attacks, forcing Will to run for his life.He grabs a gun and fires a futile shot at the monster. Will then scrambles up a tree in a desperate escape attempt. The Demogorgon follows, causing Will to fall and lose consciousness.

Vecna’s Sinister Introduction

The unconscious Will is dragged to a new location by the Demogorgon. There, he is presented to Vecna. The scene confirms Vecna’s early involvement in Will’s ordeal.Vecna’s tentacles grab Will and press him against a wall. The villain then delivers a sinister monologue. He tells Will, “At long last, we can begin.”Vecna elaborates on his dark plans for the young boy. He states, “You and I, we are going to do such beautiful things together, William.” A tentacle then attaches itself to Will’s mouth, ending the clip. This moment re-contextualizes Will’s entire connection to the Upside Down.The scene powerfully sets the tone for the final season. It suggests the show will revisit its original mysteries to provide conclusive answers. The cast’s previous warnings about a brutal season now seem fully justified.

Cody Johnson’s ‘Travelin’ Soldier’ Studio Version Drops After 3-Year Fan Campaign

This opening sequence masterfully bridges the show’s past and present, establishing Stranger Things Season 5 as a direct and terrifying conclusion to Will Byers’s long-running trauma.

Thought you’d like to know-

When does Stranger Things Season 5 take place?

The main narrative will continue from the end of Season 4. However, the opening scene is a flashback to 1983, right after Will’s initial disappearance.

What did the TUDUM event reveal about the plot?

It revealed that Vecna was directly involved with Will from the very beginning. This connection will likely be a central focus of the final season’s storyline.

Is there a release date for Season 5?

Netflix has not announced an official release date yet. Filming is ongoing, with a premiere expected in 2026.

How does this scene change our understanding of Will’s character?

It explains the source of his enduring connection to the Upside Down. Vecna’s early influence provides a new lens for understanding Will’s struggles in later seasons.

Will the entire final season be this dark?

Cast members have consistently described Season 5 as intense and brutal. The opening scene strongly supports those claims, setting a grim tone.