PHOTOSMr. Whatsit Unmasked: The Dark Truth Behind Holly's Imaginary Friend in 'Stranger Things' Season 5
'Stranger Things' Season 5 introduced Mr. Whatsit as Holly's imaginary friend. But who exactly is the character?
Dec. 9 2025, Published 6:00 a.m. ET
Season 5 of Stranger Things is back, and it's packed with intrigue!
Volume 1 premiered on Netflix on November 26, plunging fans back into the eerie town of Hawkins, Ind. Amidst the chaos, viewers meet the mysterious Mr. Whatsit, an enigmatic character with ties to the show's deadly antagonist, Vecna.
*Warning: Spoilers ahead for Stranger Things Season 5.*
As the core group continues their search for the elusive Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower), something peculiar unfolds: little Holly (Nell Fisher) from the Wheeler family forms a bond with her "imaginary friend," Mr. Whatsit. But is he really just a figment of her imagination? The answer might shock you!
Who Is Mr. Whatsit in 'Stranger Things' Season 5?
In the season premiere, "The Crawl," Holly excitedly introduces Mr. Whatsit, revealing his name is a playful nod to Madeleine L'Engle's classic fantasy novel, A Wrinkle in Time, where a girl is guided on a cosmic adventure by the benevolent Mrs. Whatsit. We even see Holly reading the book!
Holly chats happily with her new companion outside her school, and fans catch a fleeting glimpse of him in a vintage brown suit. However, her older brother Mike (Finn Wolfhard) isn't convinced. He knows Hawkins isn't a safe place for "imaginary friends."
Still, Holly reassures him, saying, "He's only trying to help. He says there are monsters in Hawkins, and they like to eat kids like me." And as fate would have it, trouble arrives soon after.
How Is Mr. Whatsit Connected to Vecna?
In a not-so-surprising twist, Mr. Whatsit is revealed to be Vecna in disguise, specifically as Henry Creel, the telepath who also endured cruel experiments under Dr. Brenner (Matthew Modine). After Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) banishes him to Dimension X, he transforms into the menacing Vecna we know.
In this guise, Vecna attempts to manipulate and lure the children of Hawkins, presenting himself as a guardian while infiltrating their minds, drawing them toward danger. Holly becomes ensnared, and as the second episode progresses, a Demogorgon abducts her after injuring her parents, Karen (Cara Buono) and Ted (Joe Chrest).
Holly wakes up in the Upside Down, believing she's safe inside the Creel house — a cozy, well-lit home. However, she soon encounters Max Mayfield (Sadie Sink), who has been in a coma since the Season 4 finale. Max explains to Holly that they are trapped in "Vecna's prison," a chilling revelation that ties back to Mr. Whatsit's true identity.
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What Does Mr. Whatsit/Vecna Plan for the Kids?
Will Byers (Noah Schnapp), connected to the Upside Down's hive mind, gets a glimpse of Vecna's sinister intentions. Realizing that Derek Turnbow (Jake Connelly) is next in line for an abduction, Will's crew saves him from a Demogorgon. But their reprieve is short-lived; by the end of "Sorcerer," Vecna sheds the Mr. Whatsit disguise, arriving in Hawkins with a horde of Demogorgons to kidnap more children.
Before retreating to the Upside Down, Vecna unveils his grand scheme to Will, aiming to reshape the world using 12 children he deems '"perfect vessels.'" This chilling plan connects back to Will's abduction in Season 1, revealing that Vecna has been plotting for years.
Where Can I Watch 'Stranger Things'?
Stranger Things Season 5, Volume 1 is now available for streaming on Netflix. Get ready, as Volume 2 lands on Christmas Day, and the highly anticipated series finale, "The Rightside Up," premieres on New Year's Eve, with theatrical screenings in over 500 locations across the U.S. and Canada.
