Disclaimer: Spoilers ahead. Read at your own discretion.
There was much to process in the final two episodes of Stranger Things Season 4. Fans had to deal with those tragic Vecna-related deaths (which featured some incredible effects) even before Vol. 2 was released, and they were enough to make anyone cry. Additionally, Millie Bobby Brown noticed herself crying on the set as her character Eleven, who goes on a very emotional journey while destroying the evil that haunts Hawkins. Why is it though that Millie cried?
Even though Vecna and Eleven had a significant telepathic battle in Volume 1 of Stranger Things Season 4, it was nothing compared to their rematch in Volume 2! The fact that the teenager was now confronting the monster in his mutant form made it incredibly different. Actor Jamie Campbell Bower, who plays Vecna/001, in an interview with Variety said that Millie Bobby Brown sobbed when she saw him dressed as a creature. He quoted:
“They brought her up into a position where she’s bound. I walked up to her [as Vecna], and she burst into tears. She wouldn’t look at me, and she was visibly just disgusted by the whole thing.”
I’m not sure which is scarier, the character’s final appearance or his past. Fans discovered his identity was Henry Creel after Volume 1; he was a disturbed young child who killed his mother and sister. He would have taken his dad down if he had not gone into a coma. Dr Brenner (Papa) took possession of him when he awoke, making him his first test subject (001). The young man went on a killing spree at Hawkins Lab after tricking Eleven into removing a chip controlling his telepathic abilities. However, El defeated him and sent him to the Upside Down. He was struck by lightning there, which led to his physical disfigurement.
Vecna had been murdering teenagers by the time of the events of Season 4 to create a barrier between Hawkins and the Upside Down. Jamie Campbell Bower excels in the part and is aware of how spooky his persona is. Fortunately, Millie Bobby Brown could distinguish between the man and the monster.
Read More: How to Watch Stranger Things Season 4 Volume I & II on Netflix
“After she cried and I made it obvious that she knew it was me, one of the things she said was that, ‘I knew it was you when I could smell cigarettes,’ because I’m a smoker.”
Seeing the horrifying character in person would make anyone lose it, primarily if real effects were utilised to change the actor into Vecna. A medical adhesive was required to attach 25 pieces of silicone rubber and latex to the Sweeney Todd actor’s body. All but 10% of the vine extensions that were affixed to his body were computer-generated images. He would begin his day at three in the morning and spend seven and a half hours changing into Vecna. He would return to the makeup chair for an additional hour to have it all removed after recording his scenes for 10 to 12 hours. So much for commitment!
The final episodes provided an excellent opportunity to witness more of Jamie Campbell Bower’s creations. Unfortunately, until the release of the Stranger Things series last season, we won’t see any more of it. But the wait will be worthwhile since Bower and his co-stars will probably give it their all. The send-off will likely be emotional, and we could all end up sobbing Millie Bobby Brown.
To view Vecna’s look in all of its terrifying grandeur, watch the complete fourth season of Stranger Things on Netflix. Streaming now.
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