Jamie Campbell Bower, the actor portraying Vecna in "Stranger Things 5," shared his inspirations for the character's portrayal. For earlier seasons, he drew from Dracula and "The Shining." For the latest season, Bower cited the horror film "Alone," actor Van Johnson in "The Pied Piper of Hamelin," and notably, Fred Rogers from "Mister Rogers' Neighbourhood," as well as Tom Hanks' portrayal of Rogers in "A Beautiful Day In the Neighborhood." Bower also described Vecna as a manifestation of resentment or "vine around love."