Stranger Things has delivered plenty of terrifying moments throughout its seasons, but few characters have terrified both fans and the cast more than Vecna. Millie Bobby Brown, who plays Eleven, recently shared how much Jamie Campbell Bower’s performance as the character had a nightmare on set. Despite getting to know her off camera, Brown found that she was genuinely nervous about her transformation.
In a candid interview, Brown discussed how Bower’s portrayal of Vecna induced genuine fear during his scenes. His dangerous transformation with full prosthetics and terrifying appearance took Brown by surprise, blurring the line between actor and character. While filming their intense confrontations, the combination of Bower’s acting and the eerie setting made it hard for Brown to tear himself away from fear.
She admitted that Bower’s appearance, once in full Vecna makeup, instilled in her childhood fear of masks. The role demanded emotional vulnerability from Brown, but Vecna’s presence heightened that emotional tension. She joked that even though Bowser is a good friend, she could not get over his transformation into “a gremlin that lives in my closet”, referencing how unstable he appears in full character.
Brown also highlighted Bower’s dedication to his performance, often staying in character between takes to maintain Vecna’s dangerous aura. This added authenticity to the horror on set, with even experienced crew members admitting that Vecna’s presence made them nervous. The makeup team’s detailed work on Bower’s appearance was another factor that made her appearance so terrifying that fans feared her.
Although Stranger Things is full of imaginary horrors, the real fear experienced by Millie Bobby Brown while acting with Jamie Campbell Bower’s Vecna shows the power of performance and transformation. As the show nears its final season, fans can expect even more intensity, with Vecna likely to bring more terrifying moments. Brown’s ability to imbue that genuine fear into his character promises an emotional and dramatic conclusion to Eleven’s journey.
Also read: Throwback: When Millie Bobby Brown called then-boyfriend Jake Bongiovi her ‘partner for life’
