Eddie Munson (Joseph Quinn) supporting Hellfire Club with his signature hand gesture in Stranger ThingsImage via Netflix
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Michael Block
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Michael Block is a 14 time GLAM Award nominated writer, producer, and host of the podcast Block Talk. Throughout his time in the entertainment industry, he has worked on and off Broadway as a stage manager, written several produced plays, critiqued hundreds of theatrical performances, drag and cabaret shows, and has produced events randing from drag competitoons to variety concerts!
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In his free time, he makes one-of-a-kind jewelry and gift baskets with his mom. He is a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community.
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Here is a fact-based summary of the story contents:
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As we gear up for the final chapters of the highly anticipated fifth season of Stranger Things, we should be preparing ourselves to say goodbye in more ways than one. Though this is the end of our story, it should also be expected that some of our favorite characters we've gotten to know over the years may not make it alive. How do we know? The Duffer brothers have had a long history of shocking deaths in the first four seasons!
Gearing up for the new season, Matt and Ross Duffer recently spoke with TIME about their decisions to kill offbeloved characters over the years. Their decisions are warranted, which helps us understand why these deaths were so tragic. With many deaths on screen, these were so tragic, they still sting today! With their track record, who do you think will join this list by the end of Season 5?
10 Jason Carver
Played by Mason Dye
Mason Dye as Jason Carver in a letter jacket with others behind in Stranger Things.Image via Netflix
I know Jason Carver (Mason Dye) may seem like an outlier compared to most of the individuals on the list, but of all the not-so-nice guys, we do feel slightly bad about his death. Though he was the type of individual who jumped to conclusions, so I guess you can say he got what he deserved. Jason was Chrissy Cunningham's (Grace Van Dien) popular boyfriend and captain of the high school basketball team. After Chrissy's death, Jason led the crusade against Eddie Munson (Joseph Quinn), whom he wholeheartedly believed was the leader of a Satanic cult.
Jason’s downfall was swift as the season proceeded. Not only did he get beaten by Lucas Sinclair (Caleb McLaughlin), who finally stood up for himself, but his death, at the whim of Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower), was gruesome. As Vecna opens the fourth gate, it causes Jason's body to be torn apart. Perhaps due to its imagery, his death is horrifying and way worse than having your limbs snapped.
9 Dart
Gaten Matarazzo as Dustin holding a small creature named Dart and smiling in Stranger Things.Image via Netflix
For the most part, every creepy creature that ever emerged inside or out of the Upside Down was evil. But then we met an endearing little guy named Dart. During Season 2, Dustin Henderson (Gaten Matarazzo) discovers a teeny tiny otherworldly creature he was immediately taken by. Giving him a home and a name, D'Artagnan, or Dart for short, his new pal wasn't the kindest creature to non-humans, namely the Hendersons' cat.
Though Dustin knew he had to put him down, Dart escaped. By the Season 2 finale, Dart returned as the demodogs were attacking the gang. To save the day, Dustin distracted Dart with a candy bar. Thus, it allowed The Gate to the Upside Down to be closed by Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown), preventing the hive mind connection from being severed from the Mind Flayer. With one last, "Goodbye, buddy" from Dustin, our hearts just broke. Who knew a non-fuzzy creature could be so beloved?
8 Dr. Sam Owens
Played by Paul Reiser
Paul Reiser as Dr. Sam Owens in a white lab coat and tie is sitting at his office desk in Stranger Things.Image via Netflix
It was very hard to empathize with anyone who was against Eleven and our ragtag team of heroes, but compared to Dr. Martin Brenner (Matthew Modine), Dr. Sam Owens (Paul Reiser) wasn't the absolute worst. As a high-ranking official at the Hawkins National Laboratory, Owens takes over as director after Brenner leaves. Claiming concern for the events in Hawkins, specifically regarding Will Byers (Noah Schnapp), he seemed willing to help the kids, despite his past errors.
Though he's fired by the end of Season 2, he does help Jim Hopper (David Harbour) by providing him a birth certificate for Eleven, naming him the adoptive father. But as much as he helps during the Russian raid, in Season 4, he is back with Brennan, collaborating with NINA. He recruits Ekeven to take part, restoring her powers, but in turn, causing her to become a scapegoat for the Hawkins' murders. Owens is last seen cuffed in the underground desert base; it's presumed that he was a casualty of the raid. That said, unless a body is shown, there's still potential for a return. We could see him during Season 5, but nothing is confirmed just yet.
7 Chrissy Cunningham
Played by Grace Van Dien
Chrissy looks away with Eddie standing behind in the woods in Stranger Things.Image via Netflix
Each season, the Upside Down crept deeper into Hawkins, pulling unsuspecting individuals into the fold. When Vecna became a terrifying factor in the story, the first major victim was Chrissy Cunningham. A seemingly innocent victim of circumstance, the high school cheerleader seemed to embody teenage perfection, but haunted by waking nightmares of the villain who preys on individuals with immense trauma, she sought refuge from Eddie Munson via recreational substances. The two form an unlikely bond, only for Vecna to kill her right before his eyes in his trailer.
Stuck in a nightmare vision, Vecna vowed to "end her suffering" by levitating her to the ceiling, snapping her limbs grotesquely. Though she was a minor character and blip in the grander story, her death was a major catalyst in Season 4's action. It also put on full display the strength and depth of Vecna's powers.
6 Dr. Martin Brenner
Played by Matthew Modine
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Matthew Modine as Dr. Martin Brenner looking to the near distance in Stranger Things.Image via Netflix
One of the most complex and intricate characters in the entire Stranger Things universe was Dr. Brenner. As a pivotal figure and catalyst for the entire series, the director of the Hawkins National Laboratory, Martin, is responsible for the Project MKUltra experiments. Initially brought in as the prime protagonist, it wasn't until the later seasons that his backstory unraveled a deep history behind the man. Known as "Papa" to Eleven, part tormentor and part father figure. His experiments on Henry Creel (later revealed as Vecna) were hoped to be replicated. Thus, they were brutally subjected to other children. His work ultimately opened the gate to the Upside Down.
Though a constant presence, his actions during Season 4 married the past with the present. After returning Eleven to the NINA Project, he subjects her to reliving the 1979 massacre when Henry slaughtered the other children. Though he claimed he was helping, Eleven saw through it. Intending to flee with Eleven during the military raid, Brenner is struck down by a sniper. Though his death was not devastating for fans, it served as a major growth moment for Eleven. Rather than succumb to the emotional abuse of the past, Eleven chose her own path. As he lay dying, he removed her sock collar, begged her for forgiveness, but instead, she chose not to, refuting years of manipulation. Dr. Brenner was a morally ambiguous individual who was a brilliant character, even if he was simply bad.
5 Alexei
Played by Alec Utgoff
Alec Utgoff as Alexei holding a red Slurpee and smiling in the back of a car in Stranger Things.Image via Netflix
Stranger Things has had an array of eccentric individuals. Insert Alexei (Alec Utgoff) here. Our resident Slurpee slurper was one of several Russian scientists developing an experimental technology designed to open gates to an alternate dimension previously encountered by Hawkins Lab in the US. Forced to work against his will, Alexei was introduced as an antagonist, but deep down, he was a wholesome human who simply sought to have fun. Though a product of the Cold War, Alexei's adoration for American pop culture, like Looney Tunes. Striking up an odd couple dynamic with his unofficial translator, reluctant babysitter, and eventual friend Murray Bauman (Brett Gelman), Alexei becomes an important cog in Season 3.
By the time of the Hawkins Fun Fair, he found peace after winning an off-brand Woody Woodpecker at a balloon dart booth. He encountered Russian hitman Grigori (Andrey Ivchenko), who shot him in the chest, delivering the death blow. A blow to viewers, his death was unfortunate because he was a character who was finally experiencing what freedom felt like. Though he was a minor character, he was a fan favorite by the end of his run.
4 Eddie Munson
Played by Joseph Quinn
Stranger Things has done a remarkable job of making us fall deeply in love with its robust, unique characters. After Season 1, we had a handful of new characters introduced each season, but no one was quite like Eddie Munson. He was an eccentric Hawkins High School student and vice president of Hawkins' Hellfire Club. Eddie was one of the outsiders who witnessed the mystery unfold after witnessing Vecna telepathically kill Chrissy. Knowing no one will believe his story, he finds allies in Dustin Henderson, Steve Harrington (Joe Keery), Max Mayfield (Sadie Sink), and Robin Buckley (Maya Hawke), who explain the lore of The Upside Down. But when Eddie is framed for the deaths in Hawkins, the group races to clear his name. Ultimately, with Metallica in his heart, Eddie stays behind during the battle in the Upside Down and sacrifices himself to further fend off the demobats.
Quinn's performance was endearing and charming. The charisma he brought allowed fans to be taken by him, so in order to make fans devastated, the Duffers had to ensure his death was heroic, so he sacrificed himself. To this day, fans are begging for Quinn to return as Eddie, but that dream has sadly died.
3 Bob Newby
Played by Sean Astin
Sean Astin as Bob Newby standing in a room with kids behind in Stranger Things.Image via Netflix
Oh, Bob! First introduced in Season 2, Bob Newby (Sean Astin) was portrayed as Joyce Byers' (Winona Ryder) overtly sweet and kind-hearted love interest. As one of her coworkers, Bob appeared to be the positivity Joyce needed after a stressful few months. The more we learned about Bob, the more we championed him. But this is Stranger Things, we can't have nice things. Especially if it means sacrificing one of our main players. Thus, Bob took one for the team.
While trying to restart the power system at the Hawkins National Laboratory, in a tense and heartbreaking scene, he's attacked and killed by demodogs. The Duffers explained the creatures ultimately did the deed so as not to make a possessed Will a disliked character later. His death was heartbreaking because an incredibly selfless individual sacrificed himself selflessly. He was far too pure for this horror universe. His death was inevitable; it was shocking nonetheless.
The Duffers have made it clear that Bob was "designed" to die. "The initial idea was that Joyce had an obnoxious boyfriend who was going to be killed by Will very early on," Matt said. But with Astin's casting, that swiftly changed. He was far too endearing to receive a wistful fate. His death was pushed back from the third episode to the penultimate Season 2 episode.
2 Billy Hargrove
Played by Dacre Montgomery
Dacre Montgomery as Billy shirtless, sitting in a lifeguard chair and looking down in Stranger Things.Image via Netflix
One of the most fascinating, yet tragic characters throughout the series was Billy Hargrove (Dacre Montgomery). When the Duffers changed course by avoiding making Steve the resident bad boy, it served as an entry point for Billy to adopt that moniker. Billy was Max's stepbrother, who was rough around the edges. The troubled California transplant was a bona fide bully and a foil for Max. But what may shock you is that the Duffers had planned to kill him off the moment they introduced him into the story. As a character who was presented as a secondary antagonist, there was always curiosity about where his story would lead.
Billy became a crucial player during the Starcourt Mall showdown. Possessed by the Mind Flayer, he becomes a pawn in its abduction plans. Just when it appears that the possessed Billy is about to kill Eleven, she accesses his memories, which briefly restores his free will. Ultimately, his bad boy aura was shed when he decided to save Eleven in the Season 3 finale. Though he was not only our hero, his sacrifice was the most heroic act he could do.
Billy didn't earn a redemption arc in the manner Steve did. Instead, we learned why he was molded into the dark human he became. There was goodness in his heart, but it just never came to the surface. Only through Eleven's ability to dive into his backstory of brighter times. His legacy did prevail as his death played a major factor in Max's explosive emotional journey a season later.
1 Barb Holland
Played by Shannon Purser
Shannon Purser as Barb Holland with glasses talking in a school hall in Season 1 of Stranger Things.Image via Netflix
Season 1 of Stranger Things simply blew our minds. Going places no other horror series dared to go, the Duffer brothers decided to play with our hearts when the Upside Down was opened up. They trapped two of our friends inside, but only one made it out alive. The other, her name was Barbara Holland (Shannon Purser). More colloquially, to us, she's Barb. As Nancy's introverted best friend, we still scream "Justice for Barb," as one of the most unjust deaths in the history of television. So, let's discuss.
As the story leads, Barb becomes one of the first victims of the mystery as she suddenly vanishes after being taken by the Demogorgon and dragged into the Upside Down while waiting for Nancy Wheeler (Natalia Dyer) at Steve Harrington's party. Barb suddenly becomes forgotten as the race to rescue Will is at the top of mind. Netflix began hounding the brothers for more of Barb's backstory, despite their initial defense of pushing her aside. Ultimately, the streamer was correct. With only 25 lines of dialogue, Barb's brief appearance helps her skyrocket to viral infamy. When her body was ultimately discovered by Eleven, it was traumatic proof that Barb was indeed gone for good. Barb's death proved that anything and everything will happen on Stranger Things.
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Stranger Things
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Release Date
2016 - 2025-00-00
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Matt Duffer, Ross Duffer
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Matt Duffer, Ross Duffer, Andrew Stanton, Frank Darabont, Nimród Antal, Uta Briesewitz
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Millie Bobby Brown
Jane 'Eleven' Hopper
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Mike Wheeler
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