Winona Ryder Captured Joyce’s Climactic Stranger Things Scene in Just Two Takes
Winona Ryder shares how she brought raw emotion to Joyce Byers’ unforgettable showdown in the Stranger Things season 5 finale, revealing why she avoided rehearsals and how the cast made the moment truly authentic.
Joyce Byers’ pivotal moment in the Stranger Things season 5 finale stands out as one of the show’s most intense scenes, with Winona Ryder at the heart of the action. When it came time for Joyce to finally confront Vecna, Ryder made a deliberate choice to keep the performance as spontaneous as possible. She believed that capturing the scene’s emotional weight required a fresh, unrehearsed approach.
Reflecting on the experience, Ryder shared her thoughts about working with Jamie Campbell Bower, who plays Vecna.
“I love Jamie so much,” Ryder said. “I remember when he was in that position and we were talking about bands, and he's the most lovely person. I came in that day just for that. You can't rehearse a scene like that. You just have to sort of save it for the take. I think I only did it twice.”
Behind the Scenes of the Final Battle
The climactic showdown unfolded after the group known as The Party, along with their friends, managed to defeat the Mind Flayer in the Upside Down. The Hawkins crew then gathered inside the creature’s body to support Eleven, played by Millie Bobby Brown, as she faced off against Vecna. Using her telekinetic abilities, Eleven managed to impale the villain, but it was Joyce who delivered the decisive blow with her ax, all while the group remembered those they had lost throughout their long struggle.
Ryder’s decision to limit the number of takes was rooted in her desire to keep the emotions raw and unfiltered. The cast and crew understood the significance of the moment, and Ryder’s approach helped ensure that the scene felt genuine and powerful on screen.
Joyce Byers: The Heart of Hawkins
Ross Duffer, one of the show’s co-creators, described Joyce as the group’s protector and maternal figure. He explained that the brutal act of beheading Vecna was a fitting way for Joyce to bring closure to the years of trauma the characters had endured. The moment served as a cathartic release, both for the characters and for viewers who had followed their journey from the beginning.
With Stranger Things now streaming, fans can revisit the emotional highs and lows of the series, including Joyce’s unforgettable stand against Vecna. For those looking for more insight, reviews and breakdowns of the season 5 finale offer a deeper look at how the story came to a close.