Stay With Me On This One, But I Think Vecna Is Basically Voldemort And Here's 15 Reasons Why

The tattoos really sold it for me, TBH.

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1. Origin stories

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Vecna and Voldemort have similar beginnings in that they were talented as young individuals, but they both sought more power than the ones training them. Both Henry/001 and Tom Riddle started out not knowing the limitations of their strengths and once they learned more, ultimate and endless power became their main goal.

2. Hive minds

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In Season 4 of Stranger Things, the audience learns that Vecna was behind everything, from the attacks and murders, to the vines in the Upside Down, and even the Demogorgon. Hive minds work collectively in different forms to gather intelligence and information. Similarly, Voldemort can use Harry Potter in this way. This is why Harry tries to remain cautious with his thoughts and what is portrayed. Harry does not want to reveal anything that could put him or his friends in danger due to the hive mind nature of Voldemort.

3. The Boys Who Lived

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Just as Harry Potter survived Voldemort's attack, Will Byers survived Vecna's assault through the Mind Flayer. However, each of the villains accidentally transferred a bit of themselves into the victims, Harry and Will. This can prove useful in getting to know the weaknesses of Vecna and Voldemort.

4. Killing others to grow stronger

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Both Vecna and "He who shall not be named" kill others to grow in power and continue their own survival. Much like a virus, they have to find a host in order to keep living. The more lives they take, the stronger Vecna and Voldemort become.

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5. Thirst tweets

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As odd and hilarious as this might be, there are definitely people out there who find both of these villains attractive. It may not always be in their veiny and missing nose or skeleton-like forms, but there are some serious thirst tweets out there for Vecna and Voldemort. Even jokes about letting Tom Riddle/Voldemort "Slytherin" to bed have gotten a little out of hand.

6. Superiority and bloodlines

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Something that Vecna and Voldemort share is their superiority complex. They both have this idea that they are exceptional and that they exceed everyone and everything else in the world, which is why they should rule it. Voldemort believes in keeping bloodlines "pure" and that "muggles" should not exist.

7. Altering images and memories

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One of the tactics that Vecna and Voldemort use to mess with their victims is by making people see things that are not necessarily there. Additionally, these villains will get inside the minds of others and manipulate their worst memories in order to create fear, panic, and worry.

8. Minions

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I'm not talking about the cute yellow ones that create chaos in a fun way. Just like many heroes need a trusty sidekick, it turns out that even the scariest of villains need a little help and protection too. For Vecna, it was the flesh eating bats, and for Voldemort it was the death eaters.

9. Family murders

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Vecna and Lord Voldemort were not just murderers of random victims, but began with those they knew well, such as their own families. Voldemort killed his father and grandparents to leave only himself as the last surviving member. Likewise, Henry Creel (Vecna) killed his mother and sister.

10. Significance of tattoos

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Tattoos play a significant role in Stranger Things as Dr. Brenner's test patients are numbered. Henry/Vecna has "001" tattooed on his wrist signifying that he was the first guinea pig of Dr. Brenner's experiments. Tattoos are also important for Voldemort as he branded the dark mark on his followers' inner left forearms as a sign of loyalty and as a means to summon them.

11. Scars/sensing feeling

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Harry Potter's scar on his forehead is just as infamous as the wizard himself. When Voldemort is near or plotting, Harry's scar begins to sting. Similarly, Vecna leaves something in Will Byers and he too has an eerie feeling that allows him to sense the villain's presence.

12. Trying to convince the opposer to join them

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Vecna knows just how powerful Eleven is and tries to manipulate her into joining him so that he can use her to destroy the world. Lord Voldemort attempts the same thing as he wants Harry to join him in fear that Harry will grow to be his ultimate demise.

13. The power of music/good memories

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One of the ways that Max tries to ward off Vecna is by listening to music and thinking of good memories rather than succumbing to the horrible ones that Vecna tries to use against her. Harry Potter does something similar when battling Voldemort. Although memories can be tampered with, Harry tries to focus on the good ones with his friends and those he truly cares about. Both Vecna and Voldemort are threatened by these happier thoughts and memories.

14. Childhood characteristics

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As kids, both Henry and Tom Riddle are introverts who did not have the best relationships with their families. They both felt misunderstood and that their families were holding them back from the true power or glory that they were capable of .

15. And Jamie Campbell Bower AKA Vecna was actually in Harry Potter

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If the previous reasons were not evidence enough, Jamie Campbell Bower, who plays Vecna, was actually a character in the Harry Potter series. He plays a young version of Gellert Grindelwald in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 and continues that role in Fantastic Beasts.

What do you think? Can you see the similarities between Vecna and Voldemort? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!

This post is an entry in BuzzFeed’s 2nd Annual Community Summer Writers’ Challenge, where you can earn $$$ for creating your own lists and quizzes published through September 15, 2022! Check out alllll the details here.

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