Stranger Things has been showing how dangerous it can be since the first season, when Will was kidnapped and pulled into the Upside Down. Throughout the show’s four seasons, things have only grown more harmful for the show’s main and supporting characters. Stranger Things has shown its willingness to kill integral supporting characters as a way to allow its central cast to move forward into the following season. However, as season five will be the final adventure for the series, Stranger Things has unlimited potential to do whatever it wants, and that means no one is safe.
Fans have been burned by Stranger Things before, especially as season four ended on a particularly devastating note. But, is anyone safe moving into the fifth season? Given the confirmation that the series will end with season five, it might be more likely that Vecna will meet his end as the series concludes. But, will he die alone? Eleven has been known to step up for final confrontations, and given how powerful Vecna is, Eleven’s life may be coming to an end in an epic sacrificial move. When it comes to the emotional or shocking deaths, viewers certainly fear the potential deaths of those like Steve, who has become a fan favorite over time.
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Steve has undergone one of the biggest character developments of the main characters since season one. Having gone on to become a protector of the younger teenagers, Steve has looked out for them and grown to care for them, seeing the group as his friends. Steve has been willing to put his life on the line if it meant protecting those closest to him, but since he was so beloved by fans, it is not necessarily surprising he has survived so long. But, if the show is going to end, it also may not be so shocking if Steve died sacrificing himself for his friends or as a tragic moment to be used as a catalyst for everyone else to step up and defeat the Upside Down.
Max Mayfield
Being brain-dead at the conclusion of season four, things are already not looking great for Max. However, since Eleven was able to keep Max alive, and Vecna had been attached to her, there is always a chance that Max could wake up but be possessed similar to how Will had been previously. While it would be cruel to wake Max up just to kill her, Max had achieved her hero moment for the series, being the most useful character of season four. Although Max’s future is uncertain, having her die in connection to Vecna is a possibility.
Eleven
Since Eleven tends to be at the center of the action, her death is not off the table either. Eleven’s life has been difficult and tragic given how she had only found true friends and happiness within the previous few years. However, finding something or someone worth dying for may be something Eleven believes in enough to give her life for. Eleven got a taste of what normalcy looks like, but tragically, it may not be meant to be. Eleven’s destiny, in whatever form it takes with her life, seems to be connected to Vecna and the Upside Down, and she may only be the only one who can stop a take-over by the Upside Down. If it takes her life to protect her friends, it may be worth it to Eleven.
Will Byers
Will has not had an easy run of things, especially as even a few years after initially being brought to the Upside Down, he still holds a direct connection to it. However, Will was fairly underused throughout season four, so season five needs to place him more in the forefront. Still, Will’s fate is certainly up in the air and could certainly lean toward death if his connection to the Upside Down and Vecna can not be permanently severed.
Vecna
As the villain, it is practically expected that Vecna would die to allow the remaining central characters to earn a content ending. Vecna will likely terrorize the group throughout season five, leading to a massive final confrontation, but he is probably not expected to win by the show’s final moments. What would all of Stranger Things mean if the series finale showed the Big Bad walking away with victory? What would have been the point of the show? For Stranger Things to have a satisfying conclusion as a series and for its characters, Vecna needs to die.
Jonathan Byers
Due to Jonathan’s abysmal use in season four, his death in season five would likely barely make an impact on anyone other than Will and Nancy. He is not emotionally connected to enough characters to make it a monumental death, especially given being sidelined all throughout the previous season. Even after living with Eleven, he seemed to be emotionally disconnected from her as well. Although the rest of the group would mourn Jonathan, and his death would likely be considered a catalyst for the rest of the group, if he did die, it may be to give the character a hero moment, earning him a heroic sacrifice rather than disappearing quietly.
Mike Wheeler
Similarly to Jonathan, Mike had almost no use throughout season four. However, Mike still holds several emotional connections to the rest of the group, most notably with Eleven and Will, who are likely to be at the center of the action. Mike’s death would be very massive for the group, and especially would cause Eleven and Will to make some big moves against Vecna if he were to die before the battle. Mike could even die in an act protecting Eleven or Will, saving their lives.
Murray Bauman
While Murray continued to be involved, his impact on the show is far less than many of the other central characters. He is mainly involved for research’s sake, but holds no emotional connections or ties with most of the group. So, is he doomed? Murray would not be the most devastating death Stranger Things could present, and he could easily fill the role of the beloved supporting character that usually dies in place of a series regular.
Hopper
Given Hopper has already nearly died at least once, a second time actually dying may not be the most out of reach possibility. While it may be less predictable since everyone has already grieved him, there is always a chance that Hopper could die in battle. But, while Hopper may not be the most likely to die, he is probably more likely than the remaining series regulars.
Robin Buckley
Robin has yet to have a hero’s journey or sacrifice, so this could be how she earns it. Robin’s death would be catastrophic for the group, as she has gained significant bonds with so many of them, especially her friendship with Steve. Robin’s death would certainly affect Steve and Nancy, as each of them have bonded with her. However, if Robin were to die in an epic self-sacrificial moment or hero’s move, it could certainly be a massive conclusion for the fan-favorite character.
