Here’s where it gets juicy. Joyce Byers—Winona Ryder’s battle-hardened mom—has survived four seasons of weird lights and Russian conspiracies. But her arc is all about protecting her kids. A self-sacrifice to save Eleven? That’s a strong possibility, and it would send Hopper into a rage so powerful he’d punch a bear. Speaking of Hopper, he’s already died once (sort of), so killing him again feels like double-dipping. But the Duffers love symmetry, so maybe he goes out in a blaze of flannel.
And don’t forget the newbies—like Argyle, the pizza guy who accidentally became a hero. He’s pure comic relief, which means he’s either cannon fodder or the one who lives just to mourn everyone else. My money is on Max Mayfield. She survived Vecna’s curse, then got her bones snapped like a glow stick. She’s currently in a coma, which is TV’s way of saying “we might kill her to make you sad, but we might also wake her up for a joke.”
Slideshow: Who Will Die In Stranger Things Season 5?
The One Guarantee: Someone We Love Will Kick the Bucket
Let’s be honest—Season 5 is a funeral dressed as a reunion. The show has so many characters that even the Demogorgon probably has a drinking game named after it. The Duffers have promised “consequences,” which in their language means “we’re not going to let you leave the theater happy.” Expect a death that feels both unfair and inevitable, like losing your favorite socks to a laundry monster.
But here’s the kicker: no one is truly dead in Stranger Things. Remember when Hopper “died” and then came back via a Russian prison? Or when Max flatlined and then got dragged back to life? The show has resurrections like they’re on sale at the mall. So even if a character bites it, there’s always a 50/50 chance they’ll show up as a ghost, a clone, or a talking snow globe.
So, does anyone die in Season 5? Yes, probably half the cast, but also, no, because TV logic is a lie. The only thing we know for sure is that Steve’s hair will look magnificent until the very end, and that we’ll all be ugly-crying when the credits roll. Now, go stock up on tissues and Eggos—it’s going to be a bumpy ride through the Upside Down.
