Stranger Things 5 has officially arrived on Netflix, with the first four episodes of the final season now available for viewing. Within these four episodes, a lot goes on with the residents of Hawkins – particularly those close to the main characters.
One such character who appears to be stepping into a more prominent role is Mike and Nancy’s younger sister, Holly Wheeler. Although Holly seems to be accompanied by a strange imaginary friend dubbed ‘Mr. Whatsit’. If you’re curious about who this mysterious individual or entity is, this guide has all of the information you’ll need.
SPOILER WARNING: This guide covers content that may be considered spoilers for Stranger Things Season 5. Proceed with caution.
Who is Mr. Whatsit in Stranger Things Season 5?
In Stranger Things Season 5, Mr. Whatsit is the mysterious imaginary friend of Mike and Nancy’s younger sister, Holly Wheeler. However, right from the first mention of this character, something doesn’t quite seem right. First of all, Holly appears to have now well grown out of the usual imaginary friend age.
In addition to this, she is seen from the very start of the Season with clear fears/anxieties about the state of Hawkins with everything that has been going on. However, she seems confident that Mr. Whatsit will protect her from any incoming dangers. At the same time, Holly’s parents seem concerned about her intense fear of monsters and the involvement of an imaginary friend, putting a heavy strain on the family.
Unfortunately, Holly’s fears end up being for good reason. Eventually, the Demogorgon shows up at their house, kidnapping Holly and severely injuring both Mr. and Mrs. Wheeler in the process. Luckily, Nancy arrives back home in time to find her mother and rush her parents to urgent medical care.
However, Nancy and Johnathan manage to dig deeper for answers in search of the now missing Holly. Once Mrs. Wheeler wakes up in the hospital, they are able to communicate with her by writing on a notepad, asking questions about Holly’s imaginary friend – does she know what he wears? How he acts? and then lastly…if Mrs. Wheeler recalls Mr. Whatsit’s ‘real’ name.
At this point, she scribbles down “HENRY”, confirming that Mr. Whatsit is not an imaginary friend at all, but instead Henry Creel, AKA Vecna himself.
Following this reveal, Mr. Whatsit’s face is now revealed. As expected, it’s none other than Henry Creel, all dressed up in his vest, suit, and hat, complete with the pocket watch.
The very last scene of Episode 2 sees Holly and Henry walking up the stairs to his house and entering, after Holly is told that breakfast is ready. Holly asks if Mr. Whatsit will save her family too, and he responds, telling her, “First your friends, and then your family”, giving the first indication that Henry may be planning something sinister with the younger children of Hawkins – not an unusual pattern in the story, all things considered.
As for where Holly actually is, following her kidnapping, it appears that she is now right in Vecna’s headquarters (his home) within the Upside Down. However, she appears to be seeing through an altered reality, or memory of time, hence the apparent lack of danger and the whimsical appearance of this world, full of bright colors and, well, Pancakes for breakfast.
To say the least, it’s a hand-crafted/carefully selected memory made to look safe and enticing to someone such as Holly. This concept of memories and altered reality is expanded further in the next two episodes, when Holly comes face to face with a very unexpected, yet familiar face.