Stranger Things creators explain difference between Will and Eleven as new season confirms fan theory

Warning: This article contains spoilers for the new season of Stranger Things.

The creators of Stranger Things have explained the difference between Will and Eleven after that finale.

When the first volume of the new season finally dropped last week, it confirmed a major fan theory about Noah Schnapp’s character. But it also drew comparisons to Millie Bobby Brown’s role.

That’s because at the truly epic end of episode four, we watch a major battle with the forces of the Upside Down as a rather snatched Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower) enters the real world.

And just as it seems that the Demogorgons are about to end it all for Robin (Maya Hawke), Mike (Finn Wolfhard), and Lucas (Caleb McLaughlin), Will taps into himself and finds he has powers. An iconic Stranger Things moment with some real similarities to Eleven.

The fan theory

It’s long been thought by fans that Will has a greater tie to Vecna than just having been captured and corrupted by him. He’s always been getting those staple goosebumps or occasionally having visions, but it’s always been believed he’s capable of more.

And the Volume One finale confirmed this, with fans absolutely loving it.

“Will tapping into his powers finally I used to dream about days like this god that was epic,” one wrote on X.

Others agreed ‘it’s about time’, as another penned: “That moment when Will basically became The One was in-f*cking-credible. Bro is finally off the bench and I can’t for him to tap into his hive mind potential.”

The epic finale revealed Will's powers. (Netflix)

What have the Duffer Brothers said?

The creators of Stranger Things, the Duffer Brothers, have since cleared up that while they may have presented similarly in the finale, Will’s powers differ from those of Eleven.

Ross Duffer told Variety that the powers he has are different, in that he’s able to channel Vecna’s.

“But they’re all related,” he added. “Vecna and Eleven, their powers are similar. The powers aren’t within him. He’s able to channel these powers from Vecna and use it, sort of puppeteering.”

And Matt Duffer explained that Will ‘taps into the hive mind’, allowing him to ‘manipulate anything within the hive’.

“You’ll see how far he can take it as you continue to watch,” he continued. “But that’s how he’s able to manipulate the monster. So he can’t open a door, because the door is not part of the hive mind.”

The brothers also explained that Will’s power is ‘proximity based’, meaning he needs to be close to the hive mind. They also clarified it ‘never would’ve happened’ if he wasn’t taken to the upside Down way back when.

“So it’s very different from Eleven in that regard,” Matt clarified.

Schnapp wanted to change the physicality. (Netflix)

What do Millie Bobby Brown and Noah Schnapp think?

Speaking to Deadline, the pair of ‘best friends’ agreed their characters ended up being ‘so similar’.

“It’s very interesting,” Brown said. “I really love what Will’s powers do.”

She admitted that it would be ‘so inconvenient’ if their characters both had the ‘same powers’ and that it wasn’t ‘needed’.

“I made sure,” Schnapp added, “I talked to the Duffers about – because it was originally supposed to work in the same way that Eleven’s powers do [he gestured with his hands].

“As you read the scripts in Volume Two, it comes in a different way than hers, so making sure that the physicality of that shows that it works differently.”

Brown said that her co-star made it his own as she said: “And by the way, they’re just two completely separate abilities. Eleven can go into people’s minds and obviously move things and fly, she’s also more used to her abilities.”

Stranger Things 5 Volume One is now streaming on Netflix.