After Stranger Things season 1 aired, Gaten Matarazzo sparked major fan conversation by revealing a theory that laid out Vecna’s backstory long before it was officially shown. This early speculation suggested the existence of other test subjects like Eleven, who were trapped in the Upside Down and transformed into monsters, a concept that later became a central twist in the series.
The cast of Stranger Things has often responded to fan theories since the show’s debut, but few predictions have been as accurate or surprising as this one. Matarazzo’s insight came at a time when the show’s universe was still mysterious, making his comments stand out as an unintentional spoiler that reshaped how fans viewed the story.
How Gaten Matarazzo Revealed His Theory During Season One’s Promotion
In an interview with the BUILD series eight years ago, while promoting Stranger Things season 1, the cast was asked about their wildest fan theories. Gaten Matarazzo’s response touched on a theory he found compelling, which quickly captivated audiences.
At that point, Stranger Things had only introduced viewers to Eleven, the Demogorgon, and the Upside Down, leaving many questions unanswered. Matarazzo explained a popular fan idea that suggested Eleven was not the first test subject. Instead, the theory proposed that there were others before her, known as test subjects one through ten.
“Other test subjects besides Eleven, like 1-10, he says that most of them are dead, but others were banished to the Upside Down, like they couldn’t get out. And because they were in the Upside Down for so long, and you can see that it had an effect on Will, it had an effect on them because they were in it for so long that they transformed into what was the monster. So the monster was a recent test subject.” —Gaten Matarazzo, Actor
Matarazzo elaborated that while many of these unknown test subjects had died, some had been trapped in the Upside Down, unable to escape. The damage caused by prolonged exposure to this alternate dimension, seen in Will’s condition, could have transformed those trapped into monsters.
This theory speculated that these former test subjects evolved into creatures like the Demogorgon, providing an origin story for the monsters seen throughout the series. Matarazzo’s comments, initially considered just fan speculation, appeared remarkably close to what would unfold in later seasons.
How Stranger Things’ Later Seasons Confirmed Matarazzo’s Early Spoiler
While fans sometimes accept minor spoilers, Matarazzo’s early comments unintentionally foreshadowed one of the biggest reveals in Stranger Things. Compared to Tom Holland’s well-known tendency to share spoilers about Marvel movies, Matarazzo’s one statement ended up revealing a far more significant plot line.
Season 4 of Stranger Things introduced Vecna, the main antagonist from the Upside Down, depicted as a humanoid figure with a tragic past. The show later disclosed that Vecna was actually test subject Number 1, who existed before Eleven and had a deep connection to the origin of the Upside Down’s monsters.
Vecna’s backstory showed that he had killed the other children Eleven was testing alongside and was subsequently banished to the Upside Down by Eleven herself. After years trapped in this hostile realm, he became disfigured and transformed into the terrifying villain viewers encountered.
Though there is no confirmation that the Duffer Brothers had planned this narrative from the start, the accuracy of Matarazzo’s theory is striking. His early prediction about previous test subjects turning into monsters aligns closely with Vecna’s revealed history, adding a layer of intrigue to the cast’s knowledge of the storyline at that time.
The Lasting Impact of This Theory on Stranger Things’ Future
This remarkable overlap between fan theory and official plot development raises questions about what other speculations might come true as Stranger Things approaches its final season. It highlights how closely fans, cast members, and creators engage with the evolving mysteries of the show’s universe.
As the series builds toward its conclusion, Premiering Stranger Things season 5 on November 26th on Netflix, viewers can expect more surprises. The fans’ role in theorizing about the show’s mythology continues to be vital, fueled in part by early revelations like Matarazzo’s unexpected spoiler.
