Stranger Things Seemingly Set Up Two Heartbreaking Deaths In Final Episode, But I Think 4 Other Characters Are More Likely To Die

by

Warning: Major spoilers ahead for those who haven’t finished the final three episodes of Stranger Things Volume 2 on Netflix! If you haven’t watched them yet, be careful reading on.

Just thinking about the 2026 TV lineup without new seasons of Stranger Things is giving me a headache. (Although, we will get the animated spinoff, Tales from ‘85.) But first, we have to get through the final season, which promises to resolve all the major storylines—like the origins of the Upside Down, Vecna’s plan for Dimension X, and, hopefully, the mystery of what was inside that soldier’s case that kept Henry away from the cave for so long.

More On Stranger Things

If you’re a fan of Stranger Things, you’ll definitely enjoy Escape The Dark, and it’s a big reason why I recommend checking out Netflix House.

It’s no surprise a finale of this size will have major character deaths – the second part already suggested two significant ones that will likely be very upsetting. However, I believe fans should be even more concerned about four other characters who seem much more likely to meet tragic and heartbreaking ends.

Eleven And Kali Appear Destined To Sacrifice Themselves, But…

I’m not sure if Kali is being truthful about injecting Eleven’s blood into pregnant women to create more children with powers. I want to believe her, given how complicated this story is, but if she’s telling the truth, it means she thinks the only way to stop the experiments is to kill everyone involved – including herself and Eleven.

If Hopper found out about that, he’d be incredibly arrogant, considering how much he dislikes Kali. Even if her motives are genuinely good, he wouldn’t be interested. I believe the Duffer brothers are intentionally focusing our attention on Eleven and Kali to keep us from worrying about the characters who are really in danger… like someone else.

Jim Hopper

That’s correct. In Season 5 of Stranger Things, Hopper created tension in his relationship with Eleven by embarking on a dangerous, secret mission to the Upside Down without letting her know he might not come back. This understandably made him even more overprotective of her, especially after they met Kali.

I predict Hopper will realize Eleven is considering sacrificing herself to save everyone, and he’ll find a way to stop her without her having to die. This will probably involve a lot of big explosions at both the Hawkins lab and in the Upside Down, and possibly at other hidden locations we haven’t seen yet. It would have been more impactful if Hopper and Joyce had shared some meaningful moments in Season 5, but they didn’t. Despite all that, I still believe Hopper is in serious danger.

Jonathan Byers

Before reaching “Chapter Seven: The Bridge,” I hadn’t considered Jonathan to be in danger in the final episode. However, a couple of things quickly changed my mind. First, being trapped in the melting room forced Jonathan and Nancy to finally address all their issues. He even revealed he’d been holding onto an engagement ring, but they ultimately realized they might not be meant for each other—without him actually proposing.

Will finally revealed his true self to the group, hoping that accepting who he is would protect him from Vecna. This means Jonathan doesn’t need to be his supportive older brother anymore. Since Jonathan doesn’t have many other connections or plans for the future, it looks like his time on the show is likely over.

Murray Bauman

If Stranger Things created a team-up spinoff like The Expendables, Murray Bauman, played by Brett Gelman, would definitely lead it. He’s the perfect character to sacrifice for the team, though he is surprisingly useful, providing valuable help with resources and equipment. However, his quirks – like constantly calling people ‘Snookums’ – can be incredibly irritating, and sometimes you just want Vecna to take him out!

It would be a little funny if Murray was the only one from this season to make it through to the next, but it’s not worth sacrificing all the other characters. So, let’s just say Murray is going… up there to be with what he loves.

Lucas Sinclair

Of course, nobody wants to see the main characters defeated before they finish their adventure. And it’s not just about who I personally dislike – though Murray would definitely be on both lists! My top pick for who should be eliminated would be that rude soldier Linda Hamilton’s character easily overpowered. Lucas and Caleb McLaughlin don’t deserve to be in danger, which is exactly why they’d be perfect as a final, dramatic sacrifice.

Throughout most of this season, Lucas has primarily been a source of quiet emotional and musical support for Max, helping her cope with the trauma she experienced with Vecna. Max herself acknowledged his importance, even more so than Kate Bush’s music. Now that Max is recovering, it unfortunately sets the stage for Lucas to potentially sacrifice himself to protect both her and Erica. And, predictably, they would then step up and finish the job in his memory.

I may not know for sure who will survive, but I’m bracing myself – and I know millions of other fans are too – for some heartbreaking moments when Stranger Things ends. It’s going to be tough watching characters we love get hurt when the final episodes drop on Netflix and in theaters on December 31st.

Read More

2025-12-27 05:09