Stranger Things The season 5 episode titles have been revealed, but there is one that is being kept partially secret – and there is enough evidence to believe that this episode is about the disappearance of Holly Wheeler. After four seasons of twists, shocking revelations and heartbreaking moments, Stranger Things is ending with its fifth season. Stranger ThingsThe final season has a lot to address and resolve after the huge cliffhanger at the end of Season 4, and the first teasers for Season 5 have already been released, despite production not yet wrapping up.
In November 2024, Netflix released the first teaser for Stranger Things 5th season, in which he revealed the episode titles. Additionally, the teaser confirmed the much-talked about time jump in Season 5, although it’s not as big as many have speculated. Instead of, Stranger Things Season 5 will be set in the fall of 1987 and will consist of eight episodes. Of course, speculation has begun about what each title could be referring to, even if it doesn’t reveal much (and the show could end up distorting the title’s meaning), but one, in particular, is shrouded in mystery.
Stranger Things Season 5 Episode Titles Are Hiding “The Vanishing” Character
Hawkins’ crew is about to face the disappearance of another character
The second episode of Stranger Things Season 5 is titled “The Disappearance of _____”with half of the title redacted. It had already been previously revealed (that is, unofficially) that the title of the episode is “The Vanishing Of [SPOILER] Wheeler”, fueling theories about the possible disappearance and death of Mike (Finn Wolfhard) or Nancy Wheeler (Natalia Dyer). Given the events at the end of Stranger Things In season 4, it’s no surprise that there will be a character’s disappearance – what may surprise is who it will be.
Nancy has a high chance of being targeted by Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower) in Stranger Things Season 5, due to their very close encounter in Season 4. Vecna even gave Nancy horrific, vivid visions of not only her past but her potential future, with Nancy saying she saw her entire family dead. Given the relationship between Eleven and Mike, the latter could also be a target, leading to her disappearance, but photos from the set have already hinted at who the Wheeler will be who will “disappear” – and it is not Mike or Nancy.
Stranger Things season 5 has already teased the disappearance of Holly Wheeler
Holly Wheeler could be Vecna’s next target
It is highly likely that the Wheeler family member who will disappear in the second episode of Stranger Things season 5 is Holly Wheeler (now played by Nell Fisher). Holly is the youngest daughter of the Wheeler family and has mostly been by her mother’s side in her appearances on the show. The last time audiences saw Holly, she was looking out the window when spores from the Upside Down began raining down on Hawkins. Holly called her mom because she thought it was snowing, but Karen (Cara Buono) seemed to sense something was wrong.
Holly being taken by Vecna fits Nancy’s vision, but it also means the Wheeler family could be about to face tragedy.
Leaked photos of the set Stranger Things Season 5 showed Vecna in her human form meeting Holly Wheeler. This suggests that Vecna approached Holly through dreams or visions, which is his preferred method of capturing his victims. Another batch of leaked photos showed Holly riding her bike with Mike and Will, reminiscent of Will riding with his friends on the night of his disappearance in season one. Holly being taken by Vecna fits Nancy’s vision, but it also means the Wheeler family could be about to face tragedy.
Vecna going after Holly is actually a smart (although downright cruel) move since she’s still very young, so Taking it would be devastating for the Wheelers and would further destabilize Hawkins. Holly’s disappearance would also make Mike and Nancy’s fight against Vecna even more personal, which could lead to another tragedy if one of them doesn’t survive the final battle against this villain.
Why Stranger Things’ Final Season Is Repeating “The Vanishing Of Will Byers”
Stranger Things is completing everything
Holly Wheeler’s “disappearance” resembles that of Will Byers in Stranger Things Season 1, which was the event that started the show. The Duffer brothers had already teased this Stranger Things Season 5 will return to the show’s roots, so it makes sense that the show would end with another disappearance – which will hopefully lead to Eleven and the Hawkins team finally defeating Vecna and destroying the Upside Down.
Unlike what happened during Will’s disappearance in Stranger Things season 1, the Hawkins crew will now know what to do and where to look for Holly (or whoever the mysterious character is that will disappear), making the parallel between the two disappearances much more interesting. Holly Wheeler being the character who will disappear in Stranger Things Season 5 makes sense and would add more drama to the final episodes, but the series could still have a final surprise with the reveal of the character who will disappear.