The clock is ticking for Hawkins. With Stranger Things Season 5 creeping closer, fans are bracing for heartbreak because if there’s one thing Netflix’s biggest sci-fi hit has taught us, it’s that no one is ever truly safe. From Eleven’s powers to Steve’s bat-swinging bravery, the final season is shaping up to be an emotional rollercoaster where survival isn’t guaranteed.
Chrissy Cunningham’s actress, Grace Van Dien, may have let slip some big news for the show during a fan convention in Holland. During a panel, Van Dien mentioned that “someone important” might die in the next season. She said (via Dexerto),
I heard someone important’s gonna die
So, who’s destined for a heroic goodbye, and who’s walking straight into the Upside Down’s jaws? Let’s break down every Stranger Things character who might not make it to the end.
10. Nancy Wheeler
Nancy Wheeler has always been the Hawkins badass we didn’t know we needed, part sleuth, part brawler, and all heart. But Season 5 might finally test her limits in ways no one sees coming. That haunting teaser of her scrubbing blood off her hands?
Yeah… fans are losing it. Is it guilt? A warning? Or just a glimpse of the chaos she’s about to walk into? She’s been chasing Vecna like a woman possessed, sticking her nose where most would run screaming, and that fearlessness might finally bite back.
Nancy’s smart, stubborn, and never backs down, but in a town where the Upside Down doesn’t play fair, even heroes aren’t untouchable. Will she come out swinging, or will the blood on her hands tell the story of a tragic end? Only Hawkins knows… for now.
9. Jim Hopper
Hopper’s been through hell and back, literally. From surviving a Russian prison to staring down the Upside Down, Hawkins’ gruff-yet-golden sheriff has become the ultimate survivor… or is he?
On one hand, his protective streak over Eleven and the gang screams “heroic sacrifice incoming,” especially with Season 5 being the final showdown against Vecna. Could Hopper finally take one for the team, go out with a bang, and leave Hawkins forever changed?
On the other hand, his sheer resilience, past escapes from death, and the emotional weight he carries might earn him a miraculous survival. David Harbour himself hinted at uncontrollable tears during the final table read, a clue that something huge is coming. He said (via Variety),
The end of this [final] episode when we were reading it — just us reading it — about halfway through, people started crying. Then about the last 20 minutes, it was just uncontrollably crying, waves of different people
Whatever happens, Hopper’s fate will hit fans right in the heart, because whether he survives or not, you know it’s going to be epic.
8. Joyce Byers
Joyce Byers (Winona Ryder) is Hawkins’ ultimate mom-mode warrior, fearless, stubborn, and never afraid to storm the Upside Down with nothing but sheer willpower… and probably Christmas lights. But in Season 5, even she might have limits.
Her overprotective streak, especially toward Will and Eleven, could push her into a dangerous, heroic sacrifice. Meanwhile, she might also survive, holding the group together and making sure everyone sees the end of this nightmare. Either way, she’s guaranteed to bring the fire, the kind that saves lives or scorches enemies.
Her gut instincts, sharp mind, and unwavering heart have carried her through every terrifying twist Hawkins could throw at her, and the finale promises the ultimate test. Will Joyce survive, or will she give everything to protect the people she loves most? Only the Upside Down knows…
7. Jonathan Byers
Jonathan Byers (Charlie Heaton) has always been the quiet backbone of Hawkins, the brooding, loyal older brother who’ll go through hell and back for his family. But Season 5 might finally push him to his limits. His protective streak over Will could land him in a deadly situation, making him the kind of hero who goes down swinging to save the people he loves.
On the other hand, Jonathan’s survival is key because someone’s got to keep the group grounded, camera in hand, capturing the chaos while still being the voice of reason.
Either way, the finale promises to test his nerves, courage, and heart like never before. Will he emerge scarred but alive, or get caught in the storm Hawkins can’t survive? Jonathan’s path is about to get intense, and fans are here for every twist.
6. Murray Bauman
Murray Bauman (Brett Gelman) is Hawkins’ wild card, part conspiracy nut, part reluctant hero, and 100% unfiltered chaos. Season 5 might finally put him in the line of fire, and fans are buzzing about what could happen. Could Murray go full sacrificial hero, taking a hit so the gang can survive? Or will his quick thinking, sarcastic wit, and sheer unpredictability save him yet again?
One thing’s for sure: he’s the guy you want in the room when things go sideways. Whether he’s holding a gun, digging for secrets, or just shouting at the wall for answers, he is one resourceful man.
Murray’s path this season will be unpredictable, hilarious, and potentially deadly, which is exactly why fans can’t stop theorizing. Will he crash and burn or emerge as Hawkins’ most unlikely survivor? Only time and Vecna will tell.
5. Dustin Henderson
Dustin Henderson (Gaten Matarazzo) isn’t just the brains of the Hawkins crew; he’s the heart, the comic relief, and the guy who somehow makes apocalypse-level chaos feel manageable. But Season 5 is about to throw him into uncharted territory. Vecna’s shadow looms, and with trauma from Eddie Munson’s death still fresh, Dustin might finally face a moment where his smarts and loyalty could cost him dearly.
Brace yourself for a heart-wrenching sacrifice, or Dustin’s wit, courage, and boundless optimism make him too vital to lose. One thing’s certain: whether he’s cracking jokes while saving the day or stepping up in a heartbreaking act of bravery.
Dustin’s story this season is going to be very important for the plot. Whether he meets a tragic end or survives to see his friends safe, Dustin’s fate remains one of the most anticipated in the series.
4. Will Byers
Will Byers (Noah Schnapp) has always been the quiet heartbeat of Hawkins, the sensitive, thoughtful kid whose brush with the Upside Down changed everything. But Season 5 might finally force him to step out of the shadows. Who knows, maybe the Upside Down could latch onto him again, turning Will into an unwilling agent of chaos, or even pushing him toward a heartbreaking sacrifice to save his friends.
But he also has a unique connection to the other dimension, and that could be the key to defeating Vecna once and for all, giving him a hero moment fans have been waiting for since Season 1.
Will might unleash hidden abilities we’ve only glimpsed, proving that the boy who got lost can also be the one who saves Hawkins. One thing’s for sure: whether he survives, falters, or rises in a blaze of bravery, Will’s story is about to hit every fan right in the feels.
3. Eleven
Ever since she escaped Hawkins Lab, Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) has been rewriting the rules of what a kid with powers can do, facing monsters, heartbreak, and mind-bending realities head-on. But Season 5 might push her to the edge like never before.
Could she sacrifice herself to finally take down Vecna and the Upside Down once and for all? Or might she get caught in some mind-bending time-travel mess, disappearing into the Upside Down’s twisted timeline? It is possible that she could lose her powers again, leaving her vulnerable and forcing her to rely on pure brains and heart.
And let’s not forget the tantalizing possibility of a reunion with Kali, her “sister” from the lab, because two psychokinetic powerhouses could tip the battle in the gang’s favor. Still, Eleven has survived it all so far, and her journey of trauma, growth, and redemption makes her one of the most essential players.
2. Steve Harrington
Steve Harrington (Joe Keery) has officially leveled up from “hair god” to Hawkins’ ultimate big brother, the guy who swings a bat with nails, shields his friends, and somehow keeps his charm intact while the world is falling apart. But Season 5 might finally put him to the ultimate test.
Could Steve step into a heroic sacrifice to save Dustin and the gang, or is he about to dodge death yet again, relying on his street smarts, quick thinking, and sheer stubbornness to survive the Upside Down? His protective streak, especially toward the younger characters, puts him right in harm’s way, and a showdown with Vecna could get personal and deadly.
On the flip side, killing him off now could disrupt the emotional balance and alienate fans who’ve grown to love him. Will he emerge battered but alive, or go out in an epic, tear-inducing hero moment? Hawkins isn’t ready to find out — yet.
1. Vecna (Henry Creel)
Vecna is Hawkins’ ultimate nightmare, the mastermind behind the Upside Down, the Mind Flayer’s origin, and the guy who can literally invade your mind while bending reality to his will. Season 5 is shaping up to showcase him at his most terrifying.
Could Vecna be hiding in a new form, maybe even possessing Will Byers, making him an impossible-to-predict threat? It is also possible that he’s got the insane ability to see the future, remember Nancy’s vision in Season 4? That wasn’t a fluke.
And that’s not all, he’s been building a secret army in the Upside Down, from Demogorgons to bats, and maybe even the dreaded Thesselhydra, all prepped for a full-scale invasion. His childhood obsession with black widow spiders shaped the Mind Flayer into the terrifying entity we’ve come to fear, proving that everything alive in that reality is basically an extension of his mind.
But here’s the flip side: Vecna is the ultimate villain for a reason, and defeating him is the ultimate climax the series has been building toward, and the heroes may finally get a shot at ending his reign of terror.
Whether he crushes Hawkins in his final form or meets his end in an epic showdown, every fan knows one thing: the Upside Down wouldn’t be the same without him, and Hawkins is about to get truly, terrifyingly tested.
All seasons of Stranger Things are now streaming on Netflix.
Which character do you think will die or survive in Stranger Things season 5? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
