While awaiting the return of Stranger Things on Netflix, one fan posted a theory on Reddit they came up with while rewatching the series, and based on it, there may be more to the Demogorgon than previously realized. The theory is that the Demogorgon is actually a warped version of Will Byers who has been corrupted by the Mind Flayer in order to assist in its plans to take over the world.

The theory starts with the notion that the Upside Down is not just a parallel dimension, but an actual parallel universe. The theory pushes this idea further by suggesting that the parallel universe of the Upside Down does not exist in the exact same time period of the current Hawkins.

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Instead, the Upside Down is a parallel version of Hawkins in the future. It would explain why the Upside Down has buildings and infrastructure without there being clear creator behind them or need for buildings like this. If the Upside Down is Hawkins in the future, then the Demogorgon from that universe could potentially be Will all grown up and fully transformed.

The theory explains that the Mind Flayer intends to terraform Hawkins, and by extension, the rest of the world to create a new world in which to live. It uses Will because of the connection Will has to Eleven, who would be able to open further gateways to parallel universes so the Mind Flayer would be able to continue this cycle nearly indefinitely.

As the Redditor continues, it becomes clear why Will could be the Demogorgon. First of all, it would explain why the Demogorgon snatched Will despite him not bleeding. Most victims, like Barb, attracted the Demogorgon because they were bleeding prior to the attack. Will, on the other hand, was stalked along the road and snatched in his shed seemingly unprovoked. It implies that he was specifically targeted as opposed to hunted opportunistically like Barb and the others. Furthermore, Will was not killed right away like other characters; he was even left alive and given a chance to escape.

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Also, the Demogorgon has a clear hunting ground that is seemingly centered on the Byers house. It is odd that the Byers house is the only one that has the Demogorgon pushing against the walls from the Upside Down. There were no weird, on screen occurrences like this at Steve's house, where Barb was taken. Furthermore, it would make more sense for the Demogorgon to target Mike's House since Eleven was hiding there most of Season 1. Its familiarity with Hawkins and connection to the Byers house further strengthen the theory that the Demogorgon is Will since the monster focuses on areas Will is most familiar with.

In Season 2, the evidence continues to build in favor of this theory as Will describes his visions as memories, but also not his memories. Perhaps they feel like memories because they are from the parallel universe version of him that has become the Demogorgon. This would explain why everything feels familiar yet distant to him.

Also in Season 2, Will says that the Mind Flayer does not want to kill him. This is worth noting because the Mind Flayer wants to kill everything, but if it does not want to kill Will, it must have another plan for him. Perhaps that plan is transform him into the Demogorgon; however, by the end of Season 2, Will has been "exorcised" of the evil of the Upside Down, meaning that this universe's Will may no longer become a Demogorgon.

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Billy in Stranger Things

In Season 3, instead of Will becoming a Demogorgon, the Mind Flayer turns its sights on Billy. Billy, ironically, is a more vulnerable victim to the theoretical Demogorgon transformation process than Will because of his lack of a positive support system, lack of knowledge of science-fiction and his natural inclination towards aggression. The Demogorgon evolving from Will or Billy also explains its humanoid shape.

The theory admits there are some gaps in its reasoning, specifically in regards to the infinite loop of universes for the Mind Flayer to terraform. That being said, the theory is compelling and does make sense. The Demogorgons in Stranger Things seem to be corrupted versions of something found in or around Hawkins, so the main Demogorgon from Season 1 could theoretically be a corrupted, future version of Will.

Created by the Duffer Brothers, Stranger Things stars Winona Ryder, Millie Bobbie Brown, David Harbour, Finn Wolfhard, Gaten Matarazzo, Caleb McLaughlin, Noah Schnapp, Natalia Dyer, Charlie Heaton, Joe Keery, Priah Ferguson, Cary Elwes, Jake Busey and Maya Thurman-Hawke. The first three seasons are currently available on Netflix, and Season 4 has yet to receive a release date.

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