Stranger Things season 5’s episode titles have been revealed, but there’s one that’s being kept as a partial secret – and there’s enough evidence to believe that episode is about the disappearance of Holly Wheeler. After four seasons of twists, shocking reveals, and heartbreaking moments, Stranger Things is ending with its fifth season. Stranger Things’ final season has a lot to cover and solve after the massive cliffhanger at the end of season 4, and the first teases for season 5 have now been released, despite production still not being over.
In November 2024, Netflix released the first teaser for Stranger Things season 5, in which it revealed the episodes’ titles. In addition to that, the teaser confirmed the long-rumored time jump in season 5, though it’s not a big one as many speculated. Instead, Stranger Things season 5 will be set in the fall of 1987, and it will consist of eight episodes. Of course, speculation on what every title could be referring to has begun even if they don’t reveal much (and the show could end up twisting the title’s meanings), but one, in particular, is surrounded by mystery.
Stranger Things Season 5’s Episode Titles Are Hiding “The Vanishing” Character
The Hawkins Crew Is About To Face Another Character Disappearance
The second episode of Stranger Things season 5 is titled “The Vanishing Of _____”, with half the title redacted. It had been previously revealed (not officially, that is) that the title of the episode is “The Vanishing Of [SPOILER] Wheeler”, fueling theories about the possible disappearance and death of either Mike (Finn Wolfhard) or Nancy Wheeler (Natalia Dyer). Given the events of the ending of Stranger Things season 4, it doesn’t come as a surprise that there will be the disappearance of a character – what could be surprising is who it will be.
Nancy has big chances of being targeted by Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower) in Stranger Things season 5 given their very close encounter in season 4. Vecna even gave Nancy horrifying vivid visions of not just his past but her potential future, with Nancy saying she saw her whole family dead. Given the relationship between Eleven and Mike, the latter could also be a target, thus leading to his disappearance, but set photos have already hinted at who will be the Wheeler that will “vanish” – and it’s not Mike nor Nancy.
Stranger Things Season 5 Already Teased Holly Wheeler’s Disappearance
Holly Wheeler Might Be Vecna’s Next Target
It’s highly likely that the Wheeler family member who will disappear in the second episode of Stranger Things season 5 is Holly Wheeler (now played by Nell Fisher). Holly is the youngest child of the Wheeler family, and she has mostly been by her mother’s side in her appearances on the show. The last time the audience saw Holly she was looking through the window when the Upside Down’s spores began to rain over Hawkins. Holly called her mom as she thought it was snowing, but Karen (Cara Buono) seemed to feel something was wrong.
Holly being taken by Vecna fits with Nancy’s vision, but that also means the Wheeler family could be about to face a tragedy.
Leaked photos from the set of Stranger Things season 5 showed Vecna in his human form meeting Holly Wheeler. This hints at Vecna getting close to Holly through dreams or visions, which is his preferred method to trap his victims. Another batch of leaked set photos showed Holly riding her bike with Mike and Will, reminiscent of Will riding with his friends on the night of his disappearance in season 1. Holly being taken by Vecna fits with Nancy’s vision, but that also means the Wheeler family could be about to face a tragedy.
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2 Dark Stranger Things Season 5 Theories Get A Big Boost From Set Photos
A new member of the Hawkins team in Stranger Things season 5 supports two very dark theories, both connected to Vecna and his plans.
Vecna going after Holly is actually a smart (though absolutely cruel) move, as she’s still very young, so taking her would be devastating for the Wheelers and further destabilize Hawkins. Holly’s disappearance would also make Mike and Nancy’s fight against Vecna even more personal, which could lead to another tragedy if one of them doesn’t survive the final battle against this villain.
Why Stranger Things’ Final Season Is Repeating “The Vanishing Of Will Byers”
Stranger Things Is Bringing Everything To A Full Circle
The “vanishing” of Holly Wheeler is reminiscent of that of Will Byers in Stranger Things season 1, which was the event that kickstarted the show. The Duffer Brothers had previously teased that Stranger Things season 5 will go back to the show’s roots, so it makes sense that the show will close with another disappearance – which, hopefully, will lead Eleven and the Hawkins crew to finally defeat Vecna and destroy the Upside Down.
Unlike what happened during Will’s disappearance in Stranger Things season 1, the Hawkins crew will now know what to do and where to look for Holly (or whoever is the mysterious character who will vanish), making the parallel between both disappearances a lot more interesting. Holly Wheeler being the character who will vanish in Stranger Things season 5 makes sense and would add more drama to the final episodes, but the show could still have one final surprise with the reveal of the character who will disappear.
Inspired by 80s pop-culture and elements of Stephen King’s works, Stranger Things is a supernatural action-drama TV series set in the fictional town of Hawkins, Indiana.
When a young boy goes missing, his group of friends stumbles upon a young girl with telekinetic powers who recently escaped from a mysterious facility. They soon realize that she may be their only chance at stopping an impending doom that threatens to engulf Hawkins whole.
- Cast
- Finn Wolfhard , Joe Keery , Jamie Campbell Bower , Brett Gelman , Caleb McLaughlin , Maya Hawke , David Harbour , Matthew Modine , Priah Ferguson , Gaten Matarazzo , Winona Ryder , Charlie Heaton , Sadie Sink , Millie Bobby Brown , Joseph Quinn , Dacre Montgomery , Natalia Dyer , Noah Schnapp
- Release Date
- July 15, 2016
- Showrunner
- Matt Duffer , Ross Duffer