What Henry Creel found in the briefcase in Stranger Things 5 explains his entire origin story

Stranger Things 5 is packed with blink-and-you’ll-miss-it details, and one thing that left loads of people confused in season five, volume two, was the briefcase Henry Creel finds in the mineshaft during his memories, and what was inside it.

At first, it feels like a classic mystery setup. A wounded scientist, a heavy briefcase, a violent moment, and then smoke pouring out when Henry opens it.

So, what was actually inside that briefcase?

via Netflix

The briefcase is not random. The Stranger Things stage play, The First Shadow, actually explains what’s going on. According to Deadline, the briefcase contains stolen technology from a secret experiment that accidentally opened a gateway to a place called Dimension X.

In other words, that briefcase isn’t just suspicious, it’s dangerous.

The experiment sent a group of men into Dimension X, and one of those men was Dr Brenner’s father. That detail is important, because it explains Brenner’s lifelong obsession with Henry, his powers, and the Upside Down.

So, what happens when Henry opens it?

via Netflix

When Henry opens the briefcase in the mineshaft, the technology inside activates and transports him to Dimension X. This moment completely changes his life.

Henry returns with a “unique blood type”, a different personality, and powerful new abilities. In simple terms, this is the moment Henry stops being a normal child and starts becoming something else entirely. It’s also the true beginning of his transformation into Vecna.

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The briefcase isn’t just a random plot device; it’s the key to Henry’s entire origin story. It explains where his powers came from, why Brenner became obsessed with him, and how the Upside Down became connected to the human world in the first place.

Without that briefcase, there’s no Vecna, no experiments, and arguably no Stranger Things as we know it.

Stranger Things 5 is available to watch on Netflix now. For all the latest Netflix news and drops, like The Holy Church of Netflix on Facebook.