"It f----s me up"- Jamie Campbell Bower on Playing 'Stranger Things' Vicious Vecna And Its Pitfalls

As Jamie Campbell Bower bids adieu to Stranger Things with its fifth and final season, he is ready to wish fans a slippy fairy tale ending—and honestly, who can blame him? After years of lurking in the Upside Down, terrorizing teens, and snapping limbs like twigs, even the most dedicated villain needs a break. Bower is eager to shed Vecna’s sinister persona and explore new roles, proving there is life beyond the shadows of Hawkins' most feared monster.
Even for Jamie Campbell Bower, it takes a toll to snap limbs and haunt Hawkins. He is more than eager to move on as Stranger Things comes to a close.
The effects of scaring Hawkins on the mind: Jamie Campbell Bower talks
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Campbell Bower revealed the emotional toll of playing villains during his appearance at MegaCon Orlando. The Stranger Things star, who portrays Vecna (also known as Henry Creel), admitted that portraying such dark characters has a significant impact on him, stating that it "f---s me up." At 34 years old, Bower expressed his desire to move away from playing villainous roles, highlighting the emotional challenges associated with embodying such a sinister character in the hit Netflix series.

Bower spoke up to a coworker about the difficulties of portraying Vecna in Stranger Things. He also talked about his need for privacy and his choice to stay away from playing a villain. He recognized the amazing experience of being a member of a cherished series and joining the show in season 4. Bower sarcastically stated that he is ready to "hang up the foam latex" and say "slippery farewell" to Vecna, despite the fact that the experience was rewarding.
Images from the Stranger Things season finale set on X indicate that the Hawkins team intends to eliminate Vecna, which mirrored Jamie Campbell Bower's previous comments regarding the retirement of his malevolent character following a gruelling voyage.
Vecna's final chapter: The real and reel farewell
A few set pictures from the Stranger Things season finale surfaced on X recently, showing the Hawkins group planning to take down Vecna. However, an eerie and hard-to-miss detail suggests more than just a battle ahead. It seems that Jamie Campbell Bower, who plays Vecna, may not only want to retire from villainous roles but also draw a parallel to his character's departure from Hawkins. Just as Bower moves on, Vecna’s time in Hawkins might also come to a close—though Vecna may never truly leave.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad

A dramatic conclusion to Vecna's rule is hinted at in the upcoming Stranger Things season finale, where the Hawkins team gets ready for a final fight. Fans may question whether Vecna's eerie presence in Hawkins is really over, though, as Jamie Campbell Bower's wish to leave villainous roles reflects the possible resolution of Vecna's story.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
What do you think about Jamie Campbell Bower quitting villain roles after slaying Vecna? Let us know in the comments below!
ADVERTISEMENT
Edited By: Hriddhi Maitra
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT