Who is Mr Whatsit in Stranger Things season 5? - The Mirror

Stranger Things season five has introduced a new character called Mr Whatsit and fans are keen to find out more about this mysterious figure

WARNING: This article contains spoilers from Stranger Things season 5, volume 1

Stranger Things season five has landed globally and with it comes the debut of a new character named Mr Whatsit, leaving fans puzzled about who this mysterious figure actually is, reports the Mirror US.

In the opening instalment of the latest series, Netflix viewers meet this entity, who turns out to be Holly Wheeler's (portrayed by Nell Fisher) imaginary mate, alongside some of the other youngsters in Hawkins, including Derek Turnbow (Jake Connelly).

However, as viewers will soon find out, Mr Whatsit isn't exactly make-believe and he's considerably more terrifying than your typical "imaginary" pal in classic Stranger Things style.

Holly, Nancy Wheeler's (Natalia Dyer) little sister, is certain Mr Whatsit is real, despite her mother, Karen Wheeler (Cara Buono), trying to convince her he isn't.

In one sequence featuring Mr Whatsit, Holly is laying the table when she points to an unknown presence outside the window.

This represents audiences' first proper glimpse of Mr Whatsit, although they've still to learn his real nature.

Later in the episode, Holly is seen chatting with Mr Whatsit by the school fence, but when her teacher turns up, no one is there.

Who is Mr Whatsit in Stranger Things?

The spine-tingling villain of Stranger Things, Mr Whatsit, also known as Vecna/Henry Creel/One (Jamie Campbell Bower), is revealed during a hospital scene involving Holly and Nancy's mum, Karen. A demogorgon spirits away Holly into the Upside Down, leaving Nancy and Mike (Finn Wolfhard) in a frantic race to uncover Mr Whatsit's true identity in a desperate attempt to save the young girl.

Karen also becomes a target of an attack, leading the pair to sneak into her hospital room for clues. However, a severe throat injury leaves her unable to speak.

Despite her predicament, Karen manages to communicate to the teens that Mr Whatsit is a tall, seemingly gentle and kind figure with a pocketwatch and hat. She also jots down that the imaginary friend's real name is Henry, a name viewers recognise as one used by Vecna.

It's speculated that Vecna uses the alias Mr Whatsit to worm his way into the minds of Hawkins' younger inhabitants, drawing parallels with a character named Mrs Whatsit from the popular novel, A Wrinkle in Time. This cunning ruse makes it easier for the children to drop their guard, making them vulnerable to the monster's manipulation.

In the novel A Wrinkle In Time, Mrs Whatsit is depicted as a kind-hearted, almost divine being who assists the book's characters. Once a star, Mrs Whatsit sacrificed herself in a battle against darkness, and she possesses the ability to travel across various planets and transform her appearance.

These references to the novel are frequently seen in the early episodes of Stranger Things season five.

Interestingly, these characteristics aren't too dissimilar from Vecna, who can also shape-shift and journey between dimensions, although his intentions are far from benevolent. The creators of Stranger Things, the Duffer Brothers, are renowned for incorporating elements of pop culture and other science fiction and fantasy stories into their show as a homage, with Dungeons and Dragons being a significant influence.

Holly, Derek and other children repeatedly discuss this figure, which jogs Mike's memory when he sees a copy of A Wrinkle in Time at the hospital, prompting him to delve deeper into the mystery surrounding Mr Whatsit.

However, fans will have to wait until Boxing Day (26th December) to discover Vecna's plot involving the children of Hawkins and his ongoing manipulation of the character Mr Whatsit.

Stranger Things season 5, volume 2 is released on Netflix UK and Ireland on Boxing Day (December 26) at 1am