Stranger Things 5: Who Vanishes?

The second episode's foreboding mystery.

One of the biggest mysteries of Stranger Things 5 is the second episode's title. The episode has been teased numerous times as "The Vanishing of..." without revealing who actually vanishes. The Duffers seem dead set on keeping this a secret to the point that I don't think we're actually going to see who vanishes until we click on the episode. Plenty of people have theorized online as to who actually vanishes, and I am joining that discussion with my guesses as to who it could be.

5. Henry Creel

Could this hint towards Vecna's true origin?

Now, I know this seems like a confusing pick, but hear me out: we don't really know that much about Vecna's childhood. Yeah, we got bits and pieces from Victor Creel and Vecna himself, but we don't truly know how he got his powers or how he ended up falling into Brenner's hands. This is, I believe, what The First Shadow explores, and I feel like some of that could end up in this season. I don't think people would be expecting this to be the title of the episode, so it would automatically subvert expectations and complicate Stranger Things's ultimate antagonist.

4. Max Mayfield

She's vanished from her own mind

In a way, Max has already vanished, but we don't know where she's gone. Her role is one of the most mysterious aspects of season five. We have no idea how she's going to factor in. Is she stuck in Vecna's mind? When will she wake up? Will she even wake up? Maybe this episode gives us some of those answers. Much like episode one of season four teased Hopper's connection to Russia and then answered what happened with that in episode two, maybe they will do the same thing with Max. Again, this would subvert expectations, but it'd definitely be interesting.

3. Jane Hopper

The first poster for Stranger Things 5 teased Eleven going missing

The first ever marketing that we received for season five was a missing poster for Eleven. The poster even had a phone number you could call that led you to a phone line where you'd receive a message from the Hawkins military. From what the marketing has shown us, it does not seem like Eleven will actually vanish from our main group, but she could vanish in the eyes of the military. Maybe this episode is majorly focused on Linda Hamilton's character and Jack Sullivan searching for her. Again, it seems like a bit of a stretch based on the marketing and the rumors, but it could be really, really interesting.

2. Will Byers

Maybe the true look at Will's time in the Upside Down

This seems like one of the two truly viable options on this list. It'd be poetic for season five to open in the same way as season one. It's all but confirmed that we are going to see what happened to Will in the Upside Down this season...so what if this entire episode is dedicated to that? This episode could just be The Vanishing of Will Byers again, but this time, we get it from Will's perspective. That could lead to some major plot and character reveals, and it'd make for one hell of a second episode.

1. Holly Wheeler

Pretty much everyone's theory as to who vanishes

However, none of those characters above are as likely as baby Holly. Holly Wheeler is confirmed to have an upgraded role in this season. As soon as Evil Dead Rise star Nell Fisher was cast as the youngest member of the Wheeler family, it seemed like she was going to be an important piece of the season. Trailers have shown her in peril. There are set photos of her with Jamie Campbell Bower (who plays Vecna). And almost every rumor or supposed leak points to her being the one that vanishes. I don't know why. I don't know how. And I think that's exciting. If, before the season, you told me that Holly Wheeler was going to play a major role here and be the big mysterious vanishing, I would be surprised and very, very intrigued. So here I am, surprised and very, very intrigued.