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Stranger Things 5 Builds Vecna Mostly With Practical Effects

New behind-the-scenes reports detail a seven-hour prosthetic process that preserves Jamie Campbell Bower’s performance.

Overview

  • January 2026 coverage confirms that over 90% of Vecna’s on-screen look is physical makeup and prosthetics, not full CGI.
  • Each shoot day requires roughly seven hours to apply custom prosthetics to Bower’s face, head, shoulders and hands.
  • A purpose-built suit with added padding and subtle footwear lifts increases the character’s stature and provides a base for textures.
  • Selective CGI adds creeping vines, pulsating surfaces and other unnatural motions, complemented by upgraded animatronics for facial nuance.
  • Season 5 refines Vecna’s design with sharper, more organic growths, and viral behind-the-scenes clips have corrected assumptions about heavy CGI.