Stranger Things season 5 returns to Netflix this year! In this article, we discuss 5 characters most likely to die in the show’s final season.
After nine years, the hit Netflix series Stranger Things is concluding. Whilst every story must end, this bittersweet finale will surely be an emotional, tear-evoking experience. As Stranger Things season 5 approaches, many theories exist on how the story will conclude and which characters are most likely to die during the final season. Until now, the Duffer Brothers have refrained from killing off any of the main Hawkins crew, with a few characters either having a fake death such as Hopper (David Harbour), in season 3), or being brought back to life (Max, in season 4).
However, after the introduction of Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower) and the events of season 4, the stakes are at an all-time high. As we head into Stranger Things season 5, I believe some characters will sacrifice themselves to destroy the Upside Down, or they may get caught in the line of fire while attempting to save Hawkins.
Here’s a list of the 5 characters I think are most likely to die in Stranger Things season 5.
1. Vecna (Henry Creel/001)
It will come as no surprise that our tenacious villain is number one on this list. He’s taken the lives of many innocent people and is a key element in destroying the Upside Down and saving Hawkins from it.
In an emotional epic season 5 finale, I can see Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) and crew taking down Vecna, aka Henry Creel (, once and for all, and I think Will (Noah Schnapp) and Max (Sadie Sink) will play a huge part in his demise. After Max dies in season 4’s Chapter Nine: The Piggyback episode, Eleven brings her back to life. However, Max is in a coma, and when 011 holds her hand to look for signs of life, she is met with darkness.
Vecna preys on victims who are experiencing severe trauma, as it’s a way for him to infiltrate their minds when they are most vulnerable. After killing them, he consumes their souls and memories. This fuels his power and makes him even stronger than before. As Max died briefly and was brought back to life, the system was cheated, but her soul remains with Vecna. Similarly, Will is connected to the Mind Flayer/Vecna after his disappearance in season 1 and being taken to the Upside Down. With two vital characters being tied to our antagonist, the group can find a way to use this to their advantage to trick 001.
2. Eleven (Jane Hopper/011)
In second place, we have Eleven, who is the most likely to die among the Upside Down fighting crew. Though 011 is one of the most beloved characters of the series, she is responsible for unintentionally opening gates between the upside-down and Hawkins. Given her history with Henry, it’s reasonable to assume that she will be at the forefront of the effort to defeat Vecna and will sacrifice herself in some way to save her friends and her boyfriend. After all, she carries guilt for opening the gate in the first place, and Vecna blames her for making him the monster he is. She also has the power to fight him, and I can envision a chaotic fight scene taking place between the pair. During this battle, I see Eleven dying a heroic death and being seen as a legend in Hawkins thereafter.
3. Will Byers
Next on the list is Will Byers, who I think has a high chance of being killed off during the show’s final season. Much like Eleven, Will is tied to the Upside Down, and his disappearance in the show’s first episode is where the unveiling of this alternate dimension all began. Since being rescued from this hellscape by his mother, Joyce Byers, and Chief of Police Jim Hopper in season 1, he’s remained connected to the Mind Flayer/Vecna, which puts him in grave danger of being used by the villain in hopes of him gaining the upper hand. This also poses the question of Vecna being killed off and if this would result in Will dying, given that the two are linked somehow. Due to this, I believe he’s one of the characters most at risk as we enter Stranger Things’ final season.
4. Steve Harrington
It pains me to write this, given that Steve is my favorite character of the show, but I believe he’s at high risk of dying in Stranger Things season 5. Over the series, his character growth has been remarkable, transforming from a self-centered jock into a sincere friend who isn’t afraid to put himself in danger and step up as a hero for the people he cares about the most. His relentless dedication to keeping the kids safe has been showcased multiple times throughout the show and even earned him the nickname of The Babysitter. So, assuming that he could risk his safety and sacrifice himself to save another key character is not unreasonable.
It was also revealed in season 4 that he still has feelings for Nancy (Natalia Dyer). He shared with his former love that he always dreamed of becoming a father of six and living a family-oriented life, and she was the one he had envisioned settling down with during their past relationship. I predict he could be killed while protecting either Dustin (Gaten Matarazzo) or Nancy from harm, though sacrificing himself for love seems more likely.
5. Jim Hopper
In season one of Stranger Things, it’s revealed that Hopper had a daughter named Sara, who died of cancer. After the devastating loss of his child, his marriage fell apart, and he fell into alcohol and drug addiction to deal with his grief. Years later, Hopper meets Eleven, who he takes under his wing and protects.
Though she will never replace his daughter, Eleven and Hopper have built a beautiful daughter-father bond throughout the series, which has been a joy to watch. He’s helped her learn, grow, and navigate a life that she never got to experience while locked away at Hawkins Lab.
On the flip side, Eleven has given Hopper purpose and allowed him to protect a child who has dealt with terrible abandonment and abuse in her past. As Hopper has already lost one daughter, the thought of losing another is something that he’d never be able to bear, which is why he’s number 5 on this list. As her courageous legal guardian, there’s certainly a possibility that Hopper might step in to save his adopted daughter from Vecna and allow her to live as normal of a life as she can once the Upside Down is finally destroyed.
And there you have it! That completes our list of 5 characters most likely to die in Stranger Things season 5. Who do you think is at risk of being killed off in the final season? Do you agree with our picks?
Season 5 of Stranger Things will return to Netflix sometime this year!
