The credits rolled on “Stranger Things” Season 5 Episode 4, and social media exploded. Theories that seemed impossible suddenly looked inevitable. Will Byers (Noah Schnapp) had just demonstrated abilities that changed everything we thought we knew about the Upside Down connection—and the implications are massive.
The Moment
Stranger Things Season 5 Episode 4 titled “Dear Billy” ends with Will standing in Hawkins’ forest, facing three Demogorgons advancing toward Lucas and Max. For the entire episode, Will had been experiencing debilitating visions—Vecna attempting to control him through their psychic link. But instead of succumbing, Will does something unprecedented.
He raises his hand, closes his eyes, and the Demogorgons stop. Not because they’re commanded—because Will is literally feeling their minds and showing them memories of his time in the Upside Down. He’s communicating with them through shared trauma, and they recognize him as something neither fully human nor fully monster.
The scene’s final shot shows Will’s eyes opening—and for just a moment, they’re completely black before returning to normal. The implication is unmistakable: Will has developed abilities that mirror Vecna’s control over Upside Down creatures, but rooted in empathy rather than domination.
What Powers Exactly?
The Duffer Brothers haven’t explicitly confirmed what Will can do, but Episode 4 strongly suggests several abilities:
Psychic Communication: Will connects mentally with Upside Down creatures, sharing memories and emotions rather than giving commands. This represents a fundamentally different approach than Vecna’s forceful control.
Empathic Influence: The Demogorgons don’t obey Will—they choose to spare his friends because he shows them his suffering in the Upside Down. He’s creating understanding rather than domination.
Dimensional Sensitivity: Will can sense when portals to the Upside Down are opening nearby. He describes it as “feeling the air change”—suggesting his connection goes beyond psychic links to actual dimensional awareness.
Narrative Implications
This development transforms Will from victim to potential savior. The Stranger Things mythology has always suggested the Upside Down operates on different rules than our world—rules based on psychic energy and emotional resonance rather than physical laws. Will’s unique experience surviving there as a child without losing his humanity apparently gave him abilities that develop slowly over years.
Episode 4’s ending also raises questions about whether Will is becoming something new—neither human nor monster, but a bridge between dimensions. The black eyes suggest he’s channeling Upside Down energy directly, something only Eleven has previously done through her powers.
Fan Theories Confirmed
The reveal validates theories fans have speculated about since Season 2. Will’s “now-memories” (seeing the Upside Down while conscious) weren’t just trauma responses—they were his mind adapting to permanent dimensional connection. His ability to sense the Mind Flayer wasn’t passive detection—it was latent power developing over time.
Cast Reactions
Noah Schnapp posted cryptically on social media after Episode 4 released: “Finally.” That single word suggested his satisfaction at Will getting a powerful moment after seasons of suffering. Finn Wolfhard (Mike) commented on Schnapp’s post: “You earned this, brother”—acknowledging how long fans have waited for Will to be more than victim.
What’s Next
The Stranger Things Season 5 Episode 4 ending positions Will as crucial for the final battle against Vecna. If he can communicate with Upside Down creatures and potentially turn them against their master, that changes the strategic landscape entirely. Eleven provides raw power; Will provides psychological warfare.
Episodes 5-9 apparently explore Will learning to control these abilities while resisting Vecna’s attempts to corrupt him. The question isn’t whether Will has powers—it’s whether he can master them without losing himself to the Upside Down permanently.
Also Read: Will Byers Secret Weapon Against Vecna