The Stranger

The Stranger (credited as the "Flamethrower Guy", real name Jack), was a hermit that lived on Blackwood Mountain, hunting and trapping the Wendigos that inhabited it. He was voiced and motion captured by writer and actor Larry Fessenden.

Full Name
Jack Fiddler

Nickname
Flamethrower Guy

Actor
Larry Fessenden

Gender
Male

Age
Early 50s

Hair
Grey Balding

Eye Color
Blue

Complexion
Bisque

Outfit
Green winter coat, sweater, khaki pants

Accessories
Beanie, goggles, bandana

Debut
Prologue

Occupation
Wendigo Hunter

Family
Father Grandfather

Death
Chapter 8

Cause of Death
Decapitated by a Wendigo

Status
Deceased

The Stranger has long neck-length, greying hair, and a scar over his right eye, likely acquired from a Wendigo. He wears thick clothes to protect himself from the elements, and when wielding his flamethrower, he dons a bandana and goggles as protection against the flames' heat.

Personality
Despite outward appearances, he is not a malevolent character. He is charitable and tells the survivors about the Wendigos despite having a vendetta against the Washington Family.

He is adept at hunting the creatures, which he devoted his life to. He is also savvy in hand-to-hand combat and wielding weapons as he is able to disarm Chris or Mikewith ease.

Biography
The Stranger lives as a solitary hermit on Blackwood Mountain, spending his life hunting and trapping the Wendigos that inhabit it, much like his grandfather, who was unable to capture the fiercest of the Wendigosand died while attempting to trap it.

One Year Ago
On the night of Hannah and Beth's disappearance, the Stranger had finally tracked down the Wendigo that killed his grandfather. After noticing the girls, he realized they were being chased by it, and tried to save them. Unfortunately, he was too late as they fell off of a cliff while trying to escape the Wendigo. Stricken with grief and anger, the Stranger killed the monster, avenging the girls and his grandfather at the cost of releasing its spirit.

Chapter 1
Before the chapter opens, Sam will be seen listening to a radio podcast, where the Stranger is mentioned by Sheriff Annie Cline, who describes him as "a person of interest" regarding the disappearance of the twin sisters. He had warned the family about pursuing their construction project on the mountain, claiming the land was sacred to his forefathers.

The Stranger watches Sam from a distance as she gets off of the bus. Based on the human-like vision and breathing that make up the alternate camera angles along the path to the cabin and outside of the cabin itself, he is likely watching from the woods as the main characters arrive. At the end of the chapter, he can be seen riding up to Blackwood Pines in the cable car.

Chapter 2
The Stranger follows Jessica and Mike up to the cabin. He can be seen behind Mike after he starts up the generator and when he jumps into the mines after Jessica. He is also seen watching Matt and Emily as they search for her bag.

Chapter 3
The Stranger is mentioned on the back of a Native American Letter by Melinda Washington, who recalls seeing a "crazy guy" hanging around the generator shed.

Chapter 4
After Mike chases after Jessica's attacker in the mines, he sees the Stranger walking out of the mines and toward the Sanatorium. Mike attempts to shoot him, thinking that he had killed Jessica, but his gun will jam, regardless of previous usage of the gun.

Chapter 5
Mike follows the Stranger to the Sanatorium and watches him head inside. Mike continues to follow him and sees him inside the locked Chapel. After Mike finds a key card to the Chapel, he watches him disappear through a gated door and follows him yet again.

Chapter 7
As Emily makes her way through the mines, the sounds of the Stranger's flamethrower and a Wendigo screeching can repeatedly be heard. After she finds her way to the top of the caverns, she notices him standing around the corner. She attempts to run away from him but hits a dead end, where the Stranger confronts her.

Chapter 8
The Stranger hands Emily a pack of flares and tells her to get out of the mines. Soon afterwards, he manages to escape the mines and heads to the lodge. After entering through the front door and disarming either Chris or Mike of a gun, he orders the remaining survivors to listen to what he has to say. He explains that the mountain is cursed, and anyone who succumbs to cannibalism will unleash the spirit of the Wendigo and transform into one. He tells them to find somewhere safe to wait until dawn. This prompts Mike to remember that he left Josh tied up in the shed. The Stranger tells them that Josh will already be dead, but Chris insists on going after him. The Stranger tells Chris that going alone outside is suicide and offers to come with him. The Stranger conversing with Chris. The Stranger and Chris walk to the shed and find that Josh has already been taken away by the Wendigo. As the Stranger warns Chris to get back to the lodge immediately, he discovers that a Wendigo has tracked them. At first, the Stranger tells Chris to stand still. Regardless whether Chris moves or not, the Wendigo notices both of them. The Stranger tries to burn the Wendigo but it dodges the attack. Knowing they are out in the open, the Stranger frantically tells Chris they must get out of here. Before the Stranger could act, the Wendigo decapitates him. The Stranger's death. Back at the lodge, the survivors find the Stranger's belongings. Among them is a map of Blackwood Pines and a journal detailing his experiences with the Wendigo. The journal tells the survivors that the Wendigo can only see people when they move, the only sure way to kill them is with fire, they can imitate people's voices, their bites are not infectious, and that whenever possible, they should be captured, not killed.

Chapter 10
Sam and Mike find the Stranger's body hanging from the cavern ceiling on their way to find Josh. If Josh survives until dawn, he will become trapped in the mines and eat the Stranger's decapitated head, for survival purposes.

Death
Shortly after leaving the shed with Chris, they are attacked by a Wendigo. In an attempt to defend himself and Chris, the Stranger then fires his flamethrower, which the Wendigo dodges. It then flies toward him swiftly, thus decapitating his head, and killing him instantly.