Warning! This post contains SPOILERS for Stranger Things season 5, Volume 1

Stranger Things season 5 is finally here with the recent release of Volume 1, featuring some huge reveals, cliffhangers, and major mysteries ahead of Volume 2 and the finale. Clearly, the final season of Stranger Things is saving its craziest twists for last.

As the countdown to Volume 2 begins (releasing on Christmas Day), all kinds of theories are naturally running wild, and some we just can’t stop thinking about. Here are seven of the biggest Stranger Things season 5 theories heading into the final set of episodes.

Stranger Things Season 5 Is Building A Critical Roll

Obviously, there’s been a Dungeons & Dragons theme woven into Stranger Things from the very first season. As a result, there’s some pretty exciting math to be discovered as it relates to the characters who now have superpowers in season 5.

Eleven plus Eight equals 19. However, you then add the newly powered Will, who looks to be channeling the abilities of Vecna (One). That makes 20, just like the prized natural 20 critical role in D&D. In that vein, perhaps combining their powers will result in Vecna’s defeat, now that the party has the right “stats” to win.

Vecna Is Building A Wormhole To Travel Through Time

Mr. Clarke’s science lessons are often gold for foreshadowing, and his lecture in Erica’s class is no exception. After all, his Einstein-Rosen bridge diagram during his lecture about theoretical wormholes looked exactly like Will’s drawing of Vecna’s new lair filled with abducted kids. Coincidence? I think not!

If Vecna is trying to manipulate space-time, the question then becomes, why? Does he want to stop Eleven from ever gaining powers? Undo Brenner’s experiments? Prevent his own transformation into Vecna? There’s a lot of (dangerous) possibilities here.

Vecna Still Has Major Plans For Will Byers

Based on Stranger Things season 5’s opening flashback to season 1, Vecna was inside Will’s mind long before we knew his name. Their psychic connection remains stronger than any other character’s. Now, we’ve seen Will channeling Vecna’s power, likely thanks to this same connection.

The worry now is that Will is still part of a grander Vecna plan in the works. Perhaps Will is Vecna’s secret weapon, the way the Mind Flayer once attempted. It would be heartbreaking to see Will turning against his friends…but there’s a decent amount of evidence pointing in that direction.

The Cult of Vecna Will Rise In Volume Two

Stranger Things season 4 teased “The Cult of Vecna” through Eddie Munson’s Hellfire Club campaign. Now, season 5 may be bringing that idea into reality via all the abducted kids who are now trapped in Vecna’s mindscape, his “vessels.” After all, these children are likely being taken to become followers (or batteries), boosting Vecna’s powers beyond their limits.

The Mind Flayer Is Stranger Things Season 5’s True Big Bad

Vecna pulled the strings in Stranger Things season 4. But what if something far more powerful is pulling his strings now? The Mind Flayer has been strangely quiet this season (and that silence may be intentional).

The theory is simple: Vecna is the Darth Vader of Stranger Things, trying desperately to serve and/or perhaps surpass The Mind Flayer and his domination of the Upside Down/Dimension X. It would not be surprising to see the Mind Flayer return in the rest of Stranger Things season 5 as the true final boss.

Max Sacrifices Herself To Save The Kids

Episode titles do matter, and Volume 2’s opening “Escape From Camazotz” episode will likely be a big one. Camazotz is the sinister plane from A Wrinkle in Time, a fitting name given to Vecna’s mindscape by Holly and her love of the book.

Max Mayfield has already defied death once at the end of Stranger Things season 4. Rather than being killed, Max’s mind has been trapped within Vecna’s, just like Holly and all the other recently abducted kids. Keeping that in mind, it does feel tragically possible that Max might give her own life to ensure that the kids escape.

Hopper Survives (And Becomes Police Chief Again)

Recent set photos have confirmed that Hopper will be back in his chief uniform at some point in Stranger Things season 5, which is a pretty big deal. After all, Hopper hasn’t been in uniform or at his old job since Stranger Things season 3, before he ended up a prisoner in Russia.

Hopper is also seen talking with Mike Wheeler outside near the Hawkins theater, which looks to be screening Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989). Based on the movie release year, it does imply that we’re looking at an epilogue rather than a flashback, potentially confirming the fates of at least two of Stranger Things’ beloved cast.

Stranger Things season 5, Volume Two begins streaming on Netflix on Christmas Day. The finale drops on New Year’s Eve.