Stranger Thingsseason 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 ofStranger Thingshas become darker, with season 4 being the grimmest yet.Stranger Thingsseason 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 Thingsseason 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 Thingscreators, the Duffer Brothers, have teased some major character deaths in season 5. As some of theStranger Thingsmain 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 ofStranger Things' heroes.
14Erica Will Become A Rogue
A Time Jump Would Show An Older, Wiser Erica
Stranger Thingscould build on its themes by setting up younger characters with exciting new character traits.Stranger Thingsis heavily inspired by Dungeons and Dragons, with many of the lead characters' fighting styles correlating to characters classes from the role-playing game. Erica beganStranger Thingswith 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 aStranger Thingsseason 5 time jump,Erica will become wiser and more formidableas 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 theStranger Thingsuniverse, 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 thatJoyce will lose somebody close to her inStranger Thingsseason 5. However, it’s also likely Joyce herself and Hopper will likely survive together.
Hopper and Joyce’s relationship timelinehas been complicated at times, butStranger Thingsseason 4’s ending made their relationship official. Joyce already lost Bob Newby inStranger Thingsseason 2, so it looks unlikely thatStranger Thingswill 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 inStranger 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 beganStranger Thingsbeing bullied, it seems possible that he will become a character to rally around, continuing Eddie Munson’s legacy.
As covered byScreen Rant, Dustin’s romance with Suzie was established in season 3, leading to a viral moment where the pair sang a song fromThe Neverending Storytogether.
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 untilStranger Thingsseason 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 inStranger Things. Whether or not Max recovers or not, Lucas has a score to settle with Vecna.
Stranger Things 4 Finale Finally Fixed The Show’s Lucas Problem
Unlike previous seasons, Stranger Things season 4 finally grants Lucas Sinclair a remarkable storyline and vulnerable personal journey.
In theStranger ThingsDungeons and Dragons group, Lucas is established as a Rangerearly 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 inStranger 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 inStranger Things, but his storyline is pointing to him leaving Hawkins forever, one way or another.
WhileStranger Thingsseason 5’s Jonathan storymay 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 inStranger Thingsseason 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 ofStranger Thingsseason 4 preoccupied with his relationshipwith 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 thatseason 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 inStranger Thingsseason 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 inStranger Thingsseason 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 inStranger Thingssince she was introduced in season 3.Robin has had some of the best quotes inStranger 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 inStranger Things. This means that she and Will must talk about their shared perspective.
Stranger Things: 10 Quotes That Perfectly Sum Up Robin As A Character
Robin quickly became a fan favorite when she debuted in season three of Stranger Things, and these quotes epitomize what a unique character she is.
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 inStranger Thingsseason 5.
7Hopper Will Have To Choose Between Sara And Eleven
Stranger ThingsSeason 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 theStranger Thingsstory, Hopper’s relationship with Eleven evolved, with her becoming his adopted daughter. Their dynamic is one of the best in the series, buta ghost from Hopper’s past has been confirmed to appear inStranger Thingsseason 5.
Elle Charlotte Graham
Daughter/Deceased
Stranger Thingsput 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 Thingsseason 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 inStranger 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, consideringStranger Thingsseason 5’s time jump.Stranger Thingsseason 5 may begin with Nancy happily singleand fighting the Upside-Down’s monsters, or in a secure relationship.
Nancy’s Perfect Stranger Things Ending Doesn’t Involve Jonathan Or Steve
Stranger Things season 5 should give up the love triangle and show viewers that Nancy doesn’t need Jonathan or Steve for her perfect ending.
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 Thingsseason 5 will even show Nancy pairing up with Mikefor the first time. AsNancy has become one of the best weapons usersand 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 InStranger ThingsSeason 5
Stranger Thingsinitially 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, developinga 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 inStranger Thingsseason 5, and ultimatly failing to escape.
Stranger Thingshas 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 Thingscan’t recreate Eddie Munson’s iconic death with Steveas the two were very different characters, but it could still give him a fitting ending involving a sacrifice during a climactic battle.
