Updated by Shivam Gulati on May 27th, 2022: Since we've published this article, Netflix released Volume 1 of Stranger Things Season 4. New episodes reveal more about Vecna's powers and its real identity, so we've updated this post accordingly.
In the first few episodes of Stranger Things Season 4, we learn that Vecna possesses people who are traumatized by a memory. This evil entity resides in Upside Down, but he was once a normal human being who, in fact, was incredibly close to Eleven.
Vecna's real name is Henry Creel, and yes, he is the son of Victor Creel, the person who got arrested for the murder of his wife and daughter. It turns out that Henry manifested the supernatural powers after he arrived at the Creel House. As explained by Vecna, he used people's darkest memories to possess their minds, ultimately killing them in a most brutal fashion.
- More: Here's When Sonic 2 Might Release on Paramount Plus
Vecna is the Source of Eleven's Powers in Stranger Things
It was Henry who killed his mother and sister, only to frame his father for the murders. However, things turn ugly when Brenner kidnaps Henry to control his powers. Since Henry couldn't be tamed, Brenner used his blood to create other kids with similar powers. The doctor then suppressed Henry's abilities by injecting a device into his neck. So, for all these years, Henry was at the Hawkins lab as its staff, and he took the name, Peter Ballard. Yes, it's the same Peter who guided Eleven during her time at the Hawkins lab.
Peter always thought that Eleven was different, like him. So, he went out of his way to help Eleven, and he asked the girl to use a sad memory to trigger her abilities. Shockingly, Peter also helps Eleven escape the facility, but the naive girl decides to help the person who she thought was her guardian. Apparently, the device Eleven removes from Peter's neck only existed to suppress his abilities.
Well, after using Eleven to get free from Brenner's shackles, Henry goes on a killing spree, and he eliminates every child and staff member at the facility. However, he never imagined that Eleven would be the one to overpower him.
Eleven does think of a memory to trigger her powers, but it wasn't a bad one. Eleven remembers the time of her birth when she first saw her mother's face, and that's when things turn ugly for Henry. Interestingly, Eleven uses her powers to open a gate to the Upside Down, and she pushes Henry into this dark world. The lightning in this world burns Henry's skin, and he eventually becomes the entity that, after all these years, starts haunting the people of Hawkins.
Why do the Hawkins Kids Call him "Vecna"?
In Stranger Things, the kids often compare the creatures from Upside Down with characters from D&D based on their appearance and powers. Well, in D&D, Vecna is one of the most powerful villains. Initially, Vecna was a mighty wizard who was obsessed with becoming immortal. So, he went on to active the Undead and became one of the most powerful Liches in the universe of Dungeons and Dragons.
Now, this new entity from the other side seems to be the most potent enemy the Hawkins party has ever faced. He is even more strong than Demogorgon, so it's evident that the Stranger Things kids draw similarities between Vecna and the most powerful villains in their favorite game.