The devil is literally in these details for the villainous Vecna of ‘Stranger Things’

Barrie Gower confesses he was quite anxious before the Season 4 release of ‘Stranger Things.’ The special makeup effects department head had a lot riding on the premiere: His team had been tasked with bringing to life the series’ villain Vecna. He needn’t have worried. Their efforts earned them an Emmy nomination.

But before molds were poured and adhesive dried, in developing the monster, show creators Matt and Ross Duffer drew inspiration from iconic villains of their childhood. Pinhead, Pennywise and Freddy Krueger among them.