Stranger Thingsseason 5 is in development and is expected to release on Netflix sometime in 2025. AsStranger Thingsseason 4’s endingimplied, the stakes will be at their highest now that everything seems to be at risk and the final battle with Vecna is on the horizon. And because it’s also the swan song of the show as a whole,Stranger Thingshas a greater responsibility now, more than ever, to fix it’s most frustrating problem.
The most recent season doesset upStranger Things’endgame, but there’s been continuous criticism toward character deaths for quite a while now. For a show that’s been airing for almost nine years, the Duffer brothers' lack of attempt to write out any long-standing main character is becoming increasingly more obvious.Stranger Thingsseason 4 aimed to make death matter againwith the demise of Eddie Munson (Joseph Quinn), whose fate marked a significant turning point for the show, but season 5’s challenges are even more precarious, andaudiences are expecting bigger sacrifices from its creators.
The Show Teased Major Deaths But Never Delivered On The Promise
TheStranger Thingsmain ensemble casthas remained relatively unscathed since season 1, despite the Hawkins gang being plagued with threats. Granted,Stranger Things’well established audience means that it’s not essential to resort to main character deaths to keep viewers engaged, but for a series that boasts high stakes and has been ongoing for almost a decade, it feels progressively like the protagonists are too safe. An over-reliance on dramatic plots can sometimes overshadow the story’s core elements, buttheoperative effort to keep the main cast unharmed immensely undercuts the danger that the villains are supposed to pose.
What Exactly Is A Demogorgon? Stranger Things' First Monster Explained
The Demogorgon was Stranger Things' first-ever monster. Hailing from the Upside Down, the creature has D&D origins and is hard to defeat.
Season 4 actively attempts to break this common problem but ultimately falls short. The fourth seasontook far more risks with its main characters, resulting in Max (Sadie Sink) being one main character to fall under Vecna’s curse during one of the season’s greatest scenes, butMax’s fate was originally much darker. Season 4 instead follows that Max didn’t succumb to Vecna’s power and concludes with her hospitalized but alive, and even season 3’s heart-wrenching final scene was reduced to a fake-out when season 4’s trailer confirmed that Hopper (David Harbour) had actuallysurvivedStranger Thingsseason 3 ending.
Stranger Things Killing Off Beloved Supporting Characters Made This Problem More Obvious
Sacrificing The Supporting Characters Has Been A Recurring Theme Since Season 1
Stranger Thingsis more thanfamiliar with killing off its beloved supporting characters. Eddie Munson is the most recent example, who was mauled to death by the Demobats in the latest season, but the fate of Bob Newby (Sean Astin) in season 2 is possibly the most memorable instance of a character’s sacrifice. Without a doubt, Bob was the sweetest character inStranger Thingsand quickly became an integral aspect to the story, and his death right in front of his partner, Joyce (Winona Ryder), swiftly sparked controversy thatBob was killed off too early.
Presenting a lovable side character to only kill them off in the same season they’re introduced has become a pattern throughout the series, with the death of Barb (Shannon Purser) in season 1, followed by Bob, Alexei (Alec Utgoff) and Eddie’s fate in the following seasons - which only serves to makeStranger Things’ongoing problem more obvious.The series' unwillingness to take risks is more than apparent when it comes to the fate of its new characters, as the audience can predict the outcome due to the sustained safety of the main cast, which means that they can’t be harmed.
Who Is The Most Likely To Die In Stranger Things Season 5?
Season 5 Needs To Make Sacrifices To Break Away From Its Common Problem
It’s difficult to predict the outcome ofStranger Things’characters in season 5 when it’s unclear whether the show is going to continue using the same time-honored formula. However, the circumstances suggest that season 5 is going to explore new ways to shock viewers, and suggests that the Duffer brothers may make some decisive decisions about certain characters' futures. As a result, it’sunwise to assume that any character in the franchise is completely safe- particularly theyoung adults inStranger Things.
If the series is to follow the common theme of writing out it’s most beloved characters, it’s reasonable to assume that Steve Harrington (Joe Keery) is the most likely to die in season 5.
If the series is to follow the common theme of writing out it’s most beloved characters, it’s reasonable to assume thatSteve Harrington (Joe Keery) is the most likely to die in season 5. It’s unlikely thatStranger Thingswill kill off one of the kids as their deaths may be too sensitive to viewers, and Steve has played a crucial role in ensuring the safety of the main characters - forming a particularly strong bond with Dustin. The latter is present during Eddie’s poignant death in season 4, which may foreshadow his best friend’s death inStranger Thingsseason 5.
