Stranger Things has made a name for itself as Netflix’s resident family-friendly sci-fi/horror series. The show has enjoyed astronomical success since its launch in 2016, having quickly become a flagship for the streamer, and has developed a robust fan base as a result. That fan base has developed a complex network of theories, fan works, and speculation – all aimed at figuring out the series’ endgame.
Fans have particularly been concerned about the safety of some of their favorite characters. With season five being the last season of the series, anyone’s fair game. Any member of the series’ considerable ensemble cast is now in danger – with the stakes having never been higher, fans are convinced the series must lose a member of its principal cast in order to come to a satisfying conclusion.
Although fans have clamored for some deceased characters to return to life, a common criticism of the series is that its writers seem reluctant to officially kill off a member of the series’ original cast. There have been several fake-outs and misdirects, which has resulted in critics pointing out that the series has become formulaic in its insistence at only killing its newcomers, some of whom may have been interesting additions to future seasons. Thus, the final season is the Duffer Bros. last chance to address this criticism (and perhaps rectify it).
While it’s unlikely that the Duffer Bros. will have the season turn into a bloodbath, it is entirely likely that the showrunners might decide to kill off a few characters for emotional impact. The emergence of the Upside Down in Hawkins does mean that the characters are in more danger than ever, and, for the finale to have stakes, it might just be necessary to kill off a character or two. With that in mind, here’s five characters that might not make it out of the fifth season alive:
Karen Wheeler (Cara Buono)
It’s true that Karen Wheeler hasn’t had a huge presence on the series before now. While Buono was credited as a main cast member for the first three seasons, Mrs. Wheeler has mostly existed on the periphery. One of her most prominent individual storylines was a near-tryst with Billy (Dacre Montgomery) – a plotline which fizzled out relatively quickly in the third season, and which hasn’t been brought up since. Mrs. Wheeler has mostly been relegated to a support role in Nancy’s (and, to a lesser extent, Mike’s) storyline, and has also largely served as an oblivious bystander to the events in the series. Despite having come close to the Upside Down many times, in some cases being within mere feet of a strange occurrence, she remains unaware about her children’s extracurricular activities.
That’s why season five is the best opportunity to bring Mrs. Wheeler into the action. Mike (Finn Wolfhard) and Nancy (Natalia Dyer) are perennially moody teenagers towards their mother, but it’s clear that they still care a great deal for her. In fact, Nancy is nearly driven into a meltdown when Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower) threatened to kill Mrs. Wheeler and Holly Wheeler (Anniston and Tinsley Price). He claimed that this was a vision of the future, but it’s unclear how literal he was being. And Mrs. Wheeler is now in imminent danger because of Vecna’s focus on her.
Stranger Things has commonly dealt with feelings of grief and familial loss in the past, but has not touched upon the grief of losing a parent. Though Hopper (David Harbour) was thought dead in between seasons three and four, he was actually alive, and reunited with his adopted daughter Eleven at the end of the season. Mrs. Wheeler’s death could be an extremely emotional event, and her character might not make it out of season five alive.
Murray Bauman (Brett Gelman)
Gelman has consistently shone as secondary character Murray Bauman. The character is introduced in season two as a lovable-but-rough (yet surprisingly patriotic) conspiracy theorist who seeks to uncover the truth about Hawkins, Indiana. The character was actually originally conceived for the first season; he exists all the way back in the series bible for Montauk, Stranger Things‘ creative predecessor. But Gelman brought him to life: the character is easily one that might have been too acrimonious and even annoying in the wrong hands, and Gelman still manages a perfect balance between ornery and helpful that keeps the character from becoming a gimmick.
All that to say: Murray Bauman has become a dark horse character. Sure, he’s mostly relegated to comic relief, but comic relief is a necessary ingredient of the show. He may not be the deepest character, or the most developed, but he’s become a consistent part of the show that fans can rely on.
Ripping out one of those reliable pillars from under the audiences’ feet could be the kind of shock the fifth season needs to make its mark. Bauman is also a reliable adult whom provides the younger characters with a sense of protection – removing one of the adults-in-the-know strips them of one more ally and makes the situation more difficult. Murray’s death could pack just the right punch and, if done right, could be an iconic moment all on its own.
Eleven/Jane Hopper (Millie Bobby Brown)
Eleven is probably the closest thing to a main character the series has. Millie Bobby Brown’s performance has become iconic, and Eleven’s look is still a popular Halloween costume. Even non-fans would likely recognize Brown and know where the character is from. Ending the series with her death could lead to a feeling of finality – but, more importantly, if certain theories are true, it might be the only way to end the threat of the Upside Down.
See, Eleven’s consistently framed herself as the ‘monster’ of the story. She even point-blank tells Mike this in season one, and it’s later revealed that Eleven is the one who began to transform Vecna into his current form. The nature of what the Upside Down is has yet to be disclosed, but some think that the place is actually Eleven’s mindscape, scarred by years of trauma and abuse. Others still think that Eleven is the key component that keeps the two dimensions intertwined, which means that Eleven will have to sacrifice herself to separate them permanently.
And it would be devastating. Fans would be heartbroken, especially since Hopper would lose his second daughter. In fact, that might be Eleven’s saving grace: the Duffer Bros. do not write cruel twists and endings into Stranger Things. Forcing Hopper to go through that same grief once again would be immensely cruel. There’s also the fact that Eleven had a “death” scene in season one; a second one might be repetitive.
Max Mayfield (Sadie Sink)
Max is currently in a very precarious situation. The Kate Bush-loving teen sought to fight back against Vecna’s plans, which involved the direct weaponization of Max’s trauma. Though she decided to work through her issues and fought valiantly, Vecna ended up causing her great harm, and Max was last seen in a coma, her consciousness gone for unknown reasons (it may be she’s simply received brain damage, but some think she’s stuck in Vecna’s mindscape).
A failure to save Max, and accept that she’s gone, could be in the cards for season five. This may, however, tread on her season four plotline: after all, Max’s story was all about moving on despite the hardships that life provides. Her death would undermine that plot, making it seem as though her struggle was for naught. It would be a touch less inspiring, to be honest.
And, if Max was to die, she likely would have died in season four. Another “death” scene for her is, again, repetitive, and it would be a waste of Sadie Sink’s talents to bring her back just to play a comatose Max. Max’s situation is a dangerous one, however, and Vecna has a direct line to her mind. Her chances of survival are murky at best, unfortunately.
Steve Harrington (Joe Keery)
Steve Harrington is the resident den mother. He’ll put his life on the line for anyone on Stranger Things, no question about it. That’s what may be his undoing. How many times has he been beaten, maimed, or otherwise harmed throughout the series thanks to his desire to protect?
Steve originally slated to die in season one, but Keery’s performance endeared him to the Duffers so much that they decided to keep him on. The result? Some of the best character development on Netflix. Steve’s gone from a spoiled, rich kid to a bonafide hero. His death scene would be heartwrenching, and fans would never forget it. Plus, he’s in a love triangle with Nancy and Jonathan (Charlie Heaton). There are few ways that can end happily.
On the other hand, Dustin’s (Gaten Matarazzo) loss of Eddie (Joseph Quinn) appeared to have a profound effect on him. It’s possible that Dustin could be Steve’s savior – he might do anything to keep his older brother figure safe. Should Steve come to harm, the situation would be an immensely stressful one for a variety of characters, most of whom Steve has (surprisingly) come to be close with.
Fans have a while to wait yet. Shooting for season five of the hit series has yet to begin, and the recent WGA strikes have shut down production of the series as negotiations for better conditions and pay have forced the hands of writers within the community. Until Stranger Things returns, speculation continues.