Stranger Things season 5 has been such a long time in development that there is more speculation than ever about the fates of the characters. The Netflix phenomenon initially focused on a group of young friends, but has become increasingly complex as they’ve grown up. Each season of Stranger Things has become darker, with season 4 being the grimmest yet. Stranger Things season 5 is thought to include a time jump to account for the ages of its core cast, and this will allow the series to continue with its heavier themes as it wraps up the story.
Stranger Things season 4 ended on a cliffhanger, with Eddie Munson dead, Max comatose, and Vecna breaking through to the real world. Though Vecna took an incredible amount of damage, he appears to have survived, meaning that there is still at least one major battle to go. Stranger Things creators, the Duffer Brothers, have teased some major character deaths in season 5. As some of the Stranger Things main characters spent season 4 wrapping up their storylines, some appear more likely to meet their end than others. Here are some of the likely fates of Stranger Things‘ heroes.
14Erica Will Become A Rogue
A Time Jump Would Show An Older, Wiser Erica
Stranger Things could build on its themes by setting up younger characters with exciting new character traits. Stranger Things is heavily inspired by Dungeons and Dragons, with many of the lead characters’ fighting styles correlating to characters classes from the role-playing game. Erica began Stranger Things with disdain for nerdy pastimes but ends up joining the Hellfire Club as a half-elf Rogue character. Rogues are known for tricks and sneaky combat, which Erica excels at, despite constantly being underestimated.
If Erica still has the Rogue’s talent for avoiding harm that she showed in season 4, she is likely to survive the coming conflicts.
If there is a Stranger Things season 5 time jump, Erica will become wiser and more formidable as a character. Dustin has already noticed that she is a math whiz and a political junkie with an interest in Russia, and these skills will almost certainly be crucial in season 5. If Erica still has the Rogue’s talent for avoiding harm that she showed in season 4, she is likely to survive the coming conflicts.
13Joyce Will Get Her Happy Ending With Hopper
Stranger Things Must Give Joyce A Moment’s Peace
Joyce Byers has been one of the most tortured characters in the Stranger Things universe, going from a mother in turmoil looking for her son to an active part of the battle against Vecna. Still, Joyce has barely known a moment that somebody she loves is not in danger, so it is likely that Joyce will lose somebody close to her in Stranger Things season 5. However, it’s also likely Joyce herself and Hopper will likely survive together.
Hopper and Joyce’s relationship timeline has been complicated at times, but Stranger Things season 4’s ending made their relationship official. Joyce already lost Bob Newby in Stranger Things season 2, so it looks unlikely that Stranger Things will repeat this storyline and forcing Joyce to cope with losing Hopper too. The pair are formidable when they fight as a team, and season 5 will probably explore this new dynamic, further empowering Joyce.
12Dustin Will Survive To See Suzie Again
Dustin Actor Gaten Matarazzo Has Hinted That His Character Will Survive
Dustin quickly became a fan-favorite character in Stranger Things, and may actually be one of the most likely to survive the show. While most actors have kept quiet about the plans for their characters, Gaten Matarazzo has offered Dustin fans some hope for his future. Matarazzo addressed Dustin’s season 5 ending, saying that it will be a bookend that will wrap up his story nicely. As Dustin began Stranger Things being bullied, it seems possible that he will become a character to rally around, continuing Eddie Munson’s legacy.
As covered by Screen Rant , Dustin’s romance with Suzie was established in season 3, leading to a viral moment where the pair sang a song from The Neverending Story together.
Dustin is the character likeliest to have a happy ending, having found love with his fellow nerd Suzie, inspiration from Eddie, and popularity among his friends. It has often been Dustin, rather than Will, who has become the heart of the group. As Matarazzo has also mentioned the possibility of a Dustin spin-off when he is in his 30s, his future appears more optimistic than most.
11Lucas Will Avenge Max
Lucas’s Personal Storyline Should Continue With A Revenge Mission
While Lucas was always a core member of the group, his storyline didn’t feel as developed as the other characters until Stranger Things season 4. Lucas’s low-stakes storyline, in which he felt torn between his new friends and old friends, became a powerful performance as he tried to help Max through her grief for Billy. Lucas’s scene as Max seemingly dies is one of the most heartbreaking in Stranger Things. Whether or not Max recovers or not, Lucas has a score to settle with Vecna.
In the Stranger Things Dungeons and Dragons group, Lucas is established as a Ranger early on, which means that he is often the last line of defense. Rangers, like Lucas, protect a group or person from dangers coming from outside, which is exactly what happens in season 4. Lucas has the most volatile temper out of the group and as Rangers are known to take revenge missions, Lucas needs to avenge Max and do some serious damage to Vecna. However, it might become a one-way mission.
10Jonathan Will Be The Voice Of Reason, Then Leave
Jonathan’s Story Has Been Set Up For Him To Leave Hawkins
Jonathan’s character arc has taken him from a troubled accidental creep to a key character with one of the best scenes in Stranger Things. The moment where Jonathan comforts Will, while he appears to be on the verge of coming out, is one of the most subtle and well-acted scenes in the show. Jonathan has often been the voice of reason in Stranger Things, but his storyline is pointing to him leaving Hawkins forever, one way or another.
While Stranger Things season 5’s Jonathan story may seem concerning, it doesn’t necessarily point to him dying. Jonathan and Nancy appear to have grown apart, so the miniature storyline in which Jonathan struggles with his college choice could be setting him up to leave Hawkins for good. Jonathan will certainly have a role to play in Stranger Things season 5, but if Vecna is defeated and Jonathan survives, Jonathan could go to New York University as he always wanted to and make a new life for himself.
9Mike Will Bring The Group Back Together
Mike Has Some Growing Up To Do In The Stranger Things Time Jump
Mike spent a large amount of Stranger Things season 4 preoccupied with his relationship with Eleven, but unable to express his true feelings for her until the last moment. His friendship with Will has suffered to the point that he can’t see the pain that Will is in, and Mike’s speech to Eleven made things worse. As Mike’s actor Finn Wolfhard has confirmed that season 5 will see a return to “leader Mike,” he may have done some soul-searching in the time jump.
This could set up an older and wiser Mike to reenter ” leader mode ” at a crucial junction in the story, giving him an important role to play in Stranger Things season 5.
With Lucas devastated by Max’s state, Eleven facing yet another supernatural battle, and Will struggling with both Vecna’s influence and his sexuality, Mike will need to lead once more. Mike’s best scenes are when he rallies his group even when they are tired and scared. This could set up an older and wiser Mike to reenter “leader mode” at a crucial junction in the story, giving him an important role to play in Stranger Things season 5.
8Robin Will Have A Heart To Heart With Will (& Maybe Save His Life)
If Anybody Understands What Will Is Going Though, It Will Be Robin
Robin and Steve have had one of the best friendships in Stranger Things since she was introduced in season 3. Robin has had some of the best quotes in Stranger Things, and while she is often one of the funniest characters, season 5 will need her serious side. Robin knows what it is like to feel like a failure, and is the only other main LGBTQ+ character in Stranger Things. This means that she and Will must talk about their shared perspective.
As Will’s mental state is so fragile, Robin would be the perfect character to show him that he is not alone. As Vecna has been shown to prey on the most mentally vulnerable characters, this could be the friendship that saves Will from Vecna. Robin has become a fan-favorite character, and her empathy will be needed just as much as her quick thinking in Stranger Things season 5.
7Hopper Will Have To Choose Between Sara And Eleven
Stranger Things Season 5 Placed A Casting Call For Hopper’s Daughter
The circumstances surrounding the death of Hopper’s daughter Sara have been mysterious, leading to several theories that Hawkins lab was somehow involved. Over the Stranger Things story, Hopper’s relationship with Eleven evolved, with her becoming his adopted daughter. Their dynamic is one of the best in the series, but a ghost from Hopper’s past has been confirmed to appear in Stranger Things season 5.
Hopper Family In Stranger Things
Played By
Connection To Hopper/Status
Jim Hopper
David Harbour
Alive
Eleven/Jane Hopper
Millie Bobby Brown
Adopted Daughter/Alive
Diane
Jerri Tubbs
Ex-Wife/Alive
Sara Hopper
Elle Charlotte Graham
Daughter/Deceased
Stranger Things put out a casting for Sara, and while it is possible that Hopper’s daughter could appear in flashbacks, there is another potential explanation. Hawkins lab once tried to convince Joyce that Will was dead, even showing her a fake autopsy. Sara could potentially be alive, or a part of the Upside-Down. If this is true, then Hopper will be put in a difficult position, forcing him to destroy Sara to help Eleven. Stranger Things season 5 may answer the mystery, but it may make Hopper choose between Sara and Eleven.
6Nancy’s Love Triangle Will Have Ended Before Season 5 Begins
As Nancy Grew Into A Better Character, Her Subplot Did Not Do Her Justice
Nancy’s love triangle subplot is more fitting to a side character than one of the fiercest characters in Stranger Things. Nancy’s character arc has transformed her into a more actualized character, and keeping this romance plot would be both distracting and unnecessary, not to mention overlong, considering Stranger Things season 5’s time jump. Stranger Things season 5 may begin with Nancy happily single and fighting the Upside-Down’s monsters, or in a secure relationship.
Bringing Nancy’s story full circle with her establishing her independence would be a fitting ending, allowing her to continue her journey into adulthood. While it is unlikely that she would die to save any of the other characters, the next season will likely strengthen her relationships with many. Stranger Things season 5 will even show Nancy pairing up with Mike for the first time. As Nancy has become one of the best weapons users and Mike’s strength lies in his leadership skills, this could involve a great battle scene involving the Wheeler siblings.
5Steve Will Die
Steve Seems To Be Set Up For A Heroic Sacrifice In Stranger Things Season 5
Stranger Things initially appeared to set Steve up as a villain, but of all the characters in the series, he has undoubtedly had the best redemption arc. He’s become a fan-favorite, developing a big brother-style relationship with many of the younger characters. Steve has shown that he is willing to put himself in danger to protect them. This character trait may result in Steve risking his life in Stranger Things season 5, and ultimatly failing to escape.
Stranger Things has often surprised viewers with unexpected twists and deaths (or lack of them) but while Steve’s death appears to be predictable, it could happen under unusual or jump-scare circumstances, raising the stakes of any other conflicts. Stranger Things can’t recreate Eddie Munson’s iconic death with Steve as the two were very different characters, but it could still give him a fitting ending involving a sacrifice during a climactic battle.
4Will Will Become Part Of The Upside-Down
This May Not Be The End Of Will, As The Upside Down Could Stay Linked To Hawkins
Will’s fate in Stranger Things season 5 is perhaps the trickiest to determine, as he is so connected with all of the other characters, including Vecna. He could potentially fill any number of roles. It is clear that Will is artistically talented, with a powerful imagination, and central to the Upside-Down. If Will takes charge of the Upside-Down, it is possible that he could change its nature.
Simply killing or sealing Will away would be a bad move as his unreciprocated love for Mike could make this into the tired ” bury your gays ” trope.
It may be that a character must stay in the Upside-Down, and if this happens, Will surviving the Upside-Down makes him the obvious choice. Simply killing or sealing Will away would be a bad move as his unreciprocated love for Mike could make this into the tired “bury your gays” trope. A better option would be for the Upside Down to become a fantastical place that is still linked to Hawkins, with the other characters still able to communicate with Will.
3Max Will Battle Vecna In His Mind
The Duffer Brothers Already Decided To Save Max’s Life Once
Max was destined to die during her mental battle with Vecna, but The Duffer Brothers changed their minds and allowed her to live. Killing her off once more would be an odd decision, but so would allowing her to wake from her coma with no explanation. Max’s actress Sadie Sink has joked that Stranger Things likes to see her running, and as The Duffer Brothers have confirmed that Max is alive, Max has at least one more escape to make.
Season 4 ended with Max trapped in a coma, blind, with multiple broken limbs and her mind out of reach, even for Eleven. As she is still alive, this hints that Vecna is holding her prisoner in a deeper part of his mind. As Max will be doing a lot of running in Stranger Things season 5, it looks as though she will need to find a way out of Vecna’s many-layered mind, or at least find a place to hide and try to contact Eleven. This could allow her to assist the heroes on the astral plane, even if her body remains damaged.
2Eleven Will Lose Her Powers
Eleven Will Become A Regular Person, Which May Bring Her Some Peace
Eleven’s mysterious powers have been at the center of Stranger Things since the series began. That said, they clearly cause damage to her, as she tends to get a nosebleed when she uses them. This damage could worsen, putting Eleven’s life in danger and giving a final twist to Stranger Things, with the characters finding that they can no longer rely on Eleven being able to take on the villains by herself.
One of the darkest Stranger Things 5 fan theories suggests that Eleven will sacrifice herself, but as she appeared to have done this before, that seems unlikely. Instead, a more fititng finale would be focused on completing Eleven’s efforts to pursue a normal life. Giving Eleven the life she had tried to find would be a fitting end for one of Stranger Things‘s best characters, who after all this, surely deserves some peace.
1Vecna Will Be Defeated From Several Angles At Once
Eleven Has Already Seen That She Can’t Defeat Him On Her Own
For much of Stranger Things, Eleven has defeated the main monsters using her powers by the end of the season. The end of Stranger Things season 4 highlighted how this is unlikely to simply work this time, as even the repeated battles between Eleven and Vecna has not brought down the villain . Stranger Things is often compared to a Dungeons and Dragons campaign, in which characters work together. This thematic throughline might hint at how teamwork across the board is the key to defeating Vecna.
Each of the Stranger Things characters’ main strengths will have a significant role in defeating Vecna, with Nancy and Steve using weaponry to fight his physical body, Dustin potentially running a control center or engineering workshop, Eleven using her inbuilt powers, and Max fighting Vecna from within. As Dungeons and Dragons has had such an influence on Stranger Things, treating the final battle like the explosive final battle of a campaign would be a perfect ending for the show and the best way to bring down Vecna.
