Sun Nov 30 14:20:00 UTC 2025: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

‘Stranger Things’ Season 5 Deepens Lore With Prequel Play Connection

HAWKINS, INDIANA – Die-hard “Stranger Things” fans are buzzing after the first four episodes of Season 5 revealed a significant connection to the prequel play, “The First Shadow.” The showrunners, the Duffer Brothers, confirmed that the mysterious cave where Max Mayfield is hiding within Vecna’s memories is indeed the same cave featured in the play.

In the series, Max’s consciousness is trapped inside Henry/Vecna’s memories, specifically taking refuge in a cave that Henry appears terrified of and refuses to enter. Variety spoke to Matt and Ross Duffer about the first four episodes of the final season, and asked if the cave is a reference to The First Shadow (the Stranger Things prequel play)— where young Henry encounters a cave in Nevada connected to the Upside Down. According to Matt, Max’s cave is, in fact, the same one. As he put it, When we were working on the play with Kate Trefry, we had Henry’s backstory worked out. There was always a balance that we had to find in terms of how much we were going to put in the play. [The director] Stephen [Daldry] and [the produce] Sonia [Friedman] were always pushing for more and we were pushing back and saying, ‘Well, we have to wait to reveal that in the show.’ You’ll see, especially as you reach the final episode, there’s more overlap with the play.

According to the Duffer Brothers, the connection is intended as an Easter egg for dedicated fans, assuring viewers that prior knowledge of the play is not required to understand the show. However, they hint at further overlaps between the play and the series as Season 5 progresses, particularly in the final episode.

This revelation adds another layer to Vecna’s origin story and deepens the mythology of the Upside Down, leaving fans to speculate on the cave’s significance and its role in the series’ conclusion. The Duffer Brothers hint that Vecna’s fear of the cave is linked to his origins, but audiences will have to wait and see what secrets it holds.

Stay tuned for more “Stranger Things” updates as the final season unfolds.

Read More