Understanding Mr. Whatsit: A Stranger Things Allusion to A Wrinkle in Time Explained

The eagerly anticipated fifth season of Stranger Things has commenced, releasing its first four episodes on Netflix, where viewers are introduced to a new enigmatic character known as Mr. Whatsit. This article contains major spoilers, so proceed with caution.

In the season opener, Holly Wheeler, portrayed by Nell Fisher, is seen engaging in conversations with her imaginary friend, Mr. Whatsit. This peculiar behavior culminates in trouble for her at school when she is spotted talking to what appears to be thin air.

Hints of Mr. Whatsit’s connection to the Demogorgon arise when Holly glimpses a slender, gray figure peering at her through a window. During a private chat with her brother Mike, played by Finn Wolfhard, she shares that Mr. Whatsit has warned her about the monsters lurking in Hawkins. This leads to a curious question: If the Demogorgon only expresses itself through terrifying screams, who exactly is Mr. Whatsit, and how does this tie into the allusion to A Wrinkle in Time?

Unveiling Mr. Whatsit’s Identity: A Connection to Vecna

Jamie Campbell Bower as Mr. Whatsit/Vecna in Stranger Things Season 5 — Netflix

In the episode titled “The Vanishing of Holly Wheeler, ”Mike and Nancy (Natalia Dyer) manage to connect with their critically injured mother in the hospital, seeking answers about Mr. Whatsit. Their mother reveals that Holly describes the figure as tall and well-dressed.

This revelation is accompanied by a visual sequence showcasing a human version of Vecna, played by Jamie Campbell Bower, as he strolls with Holly in an idealized Hawkins. He guides her to a pristine version of the Creel house, offering reassurances that he will protect her friends from the monsters.

To Holly, this place seems like a sanctuary from evil forces. Meanwhile, Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) and Hopper (David Harbour) embark on a journey through the Upside Down in search of Holly, ultimately stumbling upon a vast, impenetrable wall that may well separate the perfect Hawkins from the horror of the Upside Down. This draws an intriguing parallel to the influence of A Wrinkle in Time.

Mr. Whatsit: A Subtle Nod to A Wrinkle in Time

Reese Witherspoon as Mrs. Whatsit in A Wrinkle of Time — Disney

Reese Witherspoon portrayed Mrs. Whatsit in the 2018 adaptation of A Wrinkle in Time.

Within the narrative of A Wrinkle in Time, Mrs. Whatsit is depicted as a being made from stardust, possessing the ability to shapeshift—transforming into a centaur upon visiting the planet Uriel, which acts as a refuge from malevolent forces. Her humble abode resembles Vecna’s territory within the Upside Down.

Moreover, Mrs. Whatsit exhibits telepathic abilities, showcasing an uncanny knack for guessing items in the Murry household’s fridge. This mirrors a moment in the third episode of Stranger Things Season 5, where Vecna notes that Holly enjoys blackberries and predicts that her classmate Derek has a preference for chocolate chip pancakes.

The intriguing connections continue, particularly considering that the primary antagonist in A Wrinkle in Time is a disembodied brain known as IT—far distinct from Stephen King’s villainous creation, Pennywise. This brain manipulates inhabitants on the planet Camazotz in a parallel to how Vecna exerts control over individuals in the Upside Down. Coincidentally, the sixth episode of Stranger Things Season 5 is titled “Camazotz, ”reinforcing the idea that the Duffer Brothers are paying homage to A Wrinkle in Time. However, enthusiasts will need to wait for Volume 2 to unravel further mysteries.

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