Stranger Things made a huge reveal about Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) in season 5 that has raised many questions and made way for various theories, but it might also reveal why Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower) chose a surprising new victim. After the cliffhanger ending of Stranger Things season 4, the fifth and final season has a lot to cover and solve, along with all the mysteries and trouble this season brings. The biggest questions ahead of Stranger Things season 5 are about Vecna’s whereabouts and Max’s (Sadie Sink) fate, but another mystery has now been added.

After spending the entirety of season 4 separated into groups in Hawkins, California, and Russia, Eleven and the rest of the main characters reunited at the end of season 4. It was expected that they would spend season 5 or most of it together like in the first season, but that won’t be the case. Eleven has been revealed to have disappeared, though it’s unclear at what point in Stranger Things season 5. However, this reveal might explain why Vecna is targeting a much younger character who has been a silent one so far.

Stranger Things Season 5 Poster Reveals Eleven Is Missing (But Not Why)

Stranger Things Season 5 & The Mystery Of Eleven’s Disappearance

Custom image by Ana Nieves.

Plot details about Stranger Things season 5 are still a mystery, but Netflix revealed the first poster for it and it came with a huge surprise. As it turns out, Eleven is missing, and “missing” posters have been released in Hawkins. The posters show Eleven as “Jane Hopper”, with details about her physical appearance, the clothes she was wearing, and where she was last seen. The posters offer a reward for anyone with information that can lead to Eleven’s location or that of her body, and include a number that fans can actually call.

Of course, the reason why Eleven is missing is a mystery, but there are already theories about what could have happened to her. The most popular and believable theory is that the military, specifically Colonel Sullivan (Sherman Augustus), is looking for her. Sullivan went after Eleven in season 4 and attacked the Nina Project facility as he saw Eleven as a criminal, and he got a taste of how powerful she can be. Sullivan would have strong reasons for still wanting to capture and neutralize Eleven, and he could be the one behind the search for her.

Eleven could go into hiding, meaning she won’t be able to freely continue the search for Vecna.

Sullivan would be using Hawkins’ residents to his benefit by having them find Eleven for him, obviously without disclosing the real reasons for his search. As a result, Eleven could go into hiding, meaning she won’t be able to freely continue the search for Vecna and more, and that’s exactly why Vecna could be going for an unlikely victim.

Vecna Targeting Holly Wheeler Might Be A Way To Lure Eleven In

Set Photos Show Vecna With Holly Wheeler

One of the biggest reveals from the set of Stranger Things was Vecna, in his human form, meeting Holly Wheeler, Mike and Nancy’s youngest sister. In season 4, Vecna tortured Nancy with horrific vivid visions of death and destruction, including a vision of all of her family dead. Nancy, Steve, and Robin later went after Vecna in the Upside Down and attacked him in hopes of killing him, but he was still able to escape. With this and Eleven’s presence, Vecna has reasons to go after the Wheeler family, but targeting Holly is surprising.

Kidnapping Holly would be devastating for the Wheelers, more so as Nancy and Mike know what Vecna can do and that the only one who can help them is Eleven.

Holly is still too young to join her siblings in their many adventures through Hawkins, and she has been a character left aside for four full seasons. Surely, Holly is now older, but it’s still cruel to have her as a target of Vecna. Choosing an innocent soul as Holly could be part of Vecna’s plan to get Eleven’s attention, especially if she’s hiding from Sullivan and the rest of Hawkins. Kidnapping Holly would be devastating for the Wheelers, more so as Nancy and Mike know what Vecna can do and that the only one who can help them is Eleven.

Other Reasons Eleven Is Missing In Stranger Things Season 5

There Are Some Theories About Eleven’s Disappearance In Season 5

If Colonel Sullivan and his people aren’t the ones looking for Eleven in Stranger Things season 5, there are other theories about what could have happened to her. Eleven could be hiding, as she did in season 2, though why she would do that this time is unknown. Another possibility is that Eleven left to find Kali, her Hawkins Lab sister who was introduced in season 2. Eleven could need the help of another superpowered kid to face Vecna, and Kali and her powers could be very useful in the final battle.

Eleven’s disappearance will surely be a triggering event in Stranger Things season 5, and it could even influence Vecna’s next moves.

Eleven could also be missing due to time travel, which has been heavily theorized to be used in season 5. Instead of being lost in a physical space, Eleven could be lost in time, and finding her isn’t going to be easy. Last but not least, Vecna could have kidnapped Eleven and taken her to the Upside Down, keeping her trapped and forcing Hopper and the rest to launch a search for her. Eleven’s disappearance will surely be a triggering event in Stranger Things season 5, and it could even influence Vecna’s next moves.