The Stranger Things series concluded its primary narrative with its final episode on Wednesday, December 31, depicting the defeat of the antagonist Henry Creel, also known as Vecna. The finale integrated elements of Vecna's backstory, much of which aligns with information presented in the Stranger Things stage play, The First Shadow.
The First Shadow Prequel Play
The First Shadow is a prequel production that premiered on London's West End in December 2023. It is scheduled for a Broadway opening in April 2025. This play details Henry Creel's acquisition of powers and his development under Dr. Brenner's supervision. It also explores Creel's connections to the Abyss and the Upside Down, in addition to portraying the high school experiences of characters Joyce, Hopper, and Bob.
Vecna's Origin in the Series Narrative
Season 5 of Stranger Things revealed that Henry Creel obtained his powers after exposure to material from the Abyss within a Nevada cave. This connection to an alternate dimension led to his objective of utilizing children in Hawkins to merge the Abyss with the human world. The series protagonists ultimately foiled this plan, with Joyce delivering the decisive blow. A fan's explanation via the social media platform X in November indicated that the cave scene's context was expanded upon in The First Shadow, where a young Henry Creel was found with altered abilities after going missing.
Audience Response and Accessibility Concerns
Following the series finale, some viewers expressed a desire for The First Shadow to be available for streaming to provide additional context for the show's narrative. Comments on the social media platform X indicated that some felt the play's canon status to the series, without broad accessibility, presented a narrative context issue for viewers who had not seen the live production. Many users requested that Netflix stream the play.
Commercial Performance and Related Content
Stranger Things: The First Shadow is currently running at the Phoenix Theatre in London and the Marquis Theatre in New York City. The Broadway production achieved a new nine-performance house record for the Marquis Theatre, generating $2,510,948 for the week ending December 28. Jamie Campbell Bower, who portrays Vecna, made a cameo appearance as an older Henry during a December 19 Broadway performance. A documentary titled Behind the Curtain: Stranger Things The First Shadow, which chronicles the making of the play, is available for streaming on Netflix.