Stranger Things Season 4's Vecna vs. Mind Flayer: Differences Explained

Warning: Spoilers for Stranger Things season 4 volume 1

Stranger Things season 4 features an entirely new monster – here are the major differences between Vecna and the Mind Flayer and who would win in a Vecna vs. Mind Flayer deathmatch. The previous Stranger Things monster, the Mind Flayer, took over Hawkins by possessing Billy Hargrove and forcing the residents of the town to drink various chemicals to form a type of small Upside Down army. Stranger Things season 4's Vecna, on the other hand, is taking a completely different approach that's much more intelligently sinister and all-encompassing in scope. While both monsters are linked to the Upside Down, they have many significant and stark differences.

Stranger Things season 4 is the first to be released in two parts, with volume 2 releasing on July 1, 2022 after volume 1 arrived on May 27. The season's first part has set up enormous stakes, a globe-spanning story, and some big twists and reveals, such as Vecna being Hawkins Lab's Number One, a.k.a. Henry Creel. Stranger Things season 4 volume 1's ending saw Eleven possibly regain her powers, Hopper and Joyce finally reunite in Russia, and Nancy, Steve, Robin, and Eddie head into the Upside Down. Just as every previous Stranger Things season featured an Upside Down monstrosity as its main antagonist, season 4 is similarly centered around Vecna and his mysterious plan.

Several monsters have been introduced across Stranger Things’ first three seasons, named after creatures from Dungeons and Dragons by the series’ young RPG enthusiasts. After defeating a destructive Demogorgon in season 1, the main monster featured in both seasons 2 and 3 was called the Mind Flayer. The many-legged creature can manipulate people’s minds and control them in its attempts to reach the human world. The Mind Flayer causes irreparable damage to Hawkins in the process, but Vecna is even deadlier than his predecessor. Here's the major difference between Stranger Things' Mind Flayer and Vecna (and the results of that all-important Vecna vs. Mind Flayer face-off).

Vecna vs. Mind Flayer: How They're Different

The main difference between Vecna and Mind Flayer is that Stranger Things season 4's Vecna was once human. Unlike the Mind Flayer (presumably), Vecna has the ability to think critically and even speak. As a result, his motivations, whatever they may be, have the potential to be much more sinister and personal than that of a dimension-spanning monster who simply wants to dominate as many worlds as possible. Beyond this, Vecna is also a former human that Eleven already knows: Henry Creel, a.k.a. One. This marks another critical distinction to Stranger Things season 4's villain, although Vecna's past humanity doesn't make him any less chilling, as he was a murderous sociopath even before being corrupted by the Upside Down.

The Mind Flayer didn't have the ability of speech outright, using his voice through Billy instead (and even then, the monster didn't talk until a while into Stranger Things season 3). Likewise, the Mind Flayer needed to make a physical connection with his victims in order to control them, whereas Vecna can tap into people's trauma and kill them remotely. Finally, while it was a terrifying antagonist in its own right (and particularly gross during season 3), the Mind Flayer's straightforward goal of breaching Hawkins and taking over wasn't particularly skin-crawling. Vecna, on the other hand, is as psychologically disturbing as he is horrific to look at.

Vecna vs. Mind Flayer: Who Would Win?

Stranger things how Vecna Connected To The Mind Flayer

It's difficult to determine exactly who would win a Vecna vs. Mind Flayer fight in Stranger Things, but most signs seem to point to Vecna. While both are powerful beings from the Upside Down capable of taking over Stranger Things' lesser monsters like Demogorgons, Demodogs, and Demobats, the heightened intelligence and personal motivation Vecna possesses likely make him more dangerous. Likewise, his ability to operate and cause harm from a distance probably makes him more powerful than the Mind Flayer. The only catch would be the way Vecna and the Mind Flayer's powers operate; Vecna/One taps into the trauma of human brains to wreak havoc, but since the Mind Flayer doesn't have a human brain (and probably doesn't experience feelings and trauma), Vecna's powers might not work on it. Still, though, he could give the Mind Flayer a run for its money when it comes to tapping into the Upside Down's hive mind.

Does Vecna Control Mind Flayer?

It's worth wondering how Vecna and the Mind Flayer connect, since they are both very powerful Stranger Things antagonists from the Upside Down. Which villain is more powerful, and does Vecna control the Mind Flayer? Stranger Things hasn't really provided an answer to this question since the characters don't interact – and ultimately, Vecna doesn't have any need to control the Mind Flayer. Seeing as he can do plenty of damage on his own without even having to leave the Upside Down, it would be redundant and even a plot hole if Vecna was also controlling the Mind Flayer all along. Likewise, while the Mind Flayer was more about mind control, Vecna fully destroys the minds of his victims, so their powers and methods of operation don't really intersect. Future Stranger Things seasons could easily flesh out Vecna and the Mind Flayer's connection more, but for the time being it's not alluded to.

Next: Stranger Things 4 Volume 2 Release Date (How Many Episodes Are Left?)

Stranger Things season 4, volume 2 releases on Netflix on July 1 at 3AM EST.

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