All the clues Steve will die in Stranger Things season 5
Netflix fans are convinced that everything is pointing to a heartbreaking death of a beloved character in the fifth and final season of Stranger Things
Stranger Things fans are bracing themselves for the loss of at least one major character in the upcoming episodes of the hit Netflix series.
The sci-fi horror saga created by The Duffer Brothers returned with the first four episodes of its epic conclusion last month, leaving millions of fans anxiously awaiting what’s next.
Thankfully, there’s not much longer to wait as the next three episodes will be released on Boxing Day (Friday, 26th December) in the UK, with the series finale arriving on New Year’s Day (Thursday, 1st January).
In the meantime, fans have been scouring the new trailer for Vol. 2 frame-by-frame to see if there’s any clues for what’s next for Will Byers (played by Noah Schnapp), Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) and the rest of the Hawkins gang.
One of the most popular theories that has emerged is the tragic death of young hero Steve Harrington (Joe Keery).
The latest trailer for the next three episodes seems to allude to this devastating outcome when Steve talks to his best friend Dustin Henderson (Gaten Matarazzo), with whom he’s not been on the best of terms at the start of season five.
During the tense scene, they both tell each other “If you die, I die”, hinting that one of them may be about to sacrifice themselves.
Throughout the show so far, we’ve seen several characters laying out their futures after hopefully defeating Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower) once and for all. Both Nancy Wheeler (Natalia Dyer) and Jonathan Byers (Charlie Heaton) are heading off to college, while Robin Buckley (Maya Hawke) is carving out a career as a radio DJ.
Steve, in contrast, feels directionless at the start of season five and still hung up over his break-up with Nancy. His rivalry with Jonathan feels more heated than ever, and some fans believe their race to the top of a radio tower in season five could be foreshadowing Steve’s tragic fate.
“The Duffers said the race between Jonathan and Steve in Episode 1 matters,” one Redditor said recently.
“I think it foreshadows the real race later in the season—who tries to sacrifice themselves
“My theory: Steve will see Jonathan’s engagement ring (or realize Jonathan has a future with Nancy) and decide to “win” this last race. He sacrifices himself so Jonathan can go back to her.”
They have also pointed out a promotional still from the series featuring several characters hugging each other and crying. Could they be mourning Steve?
On the other hand, many fans are convinced that no major characters will be dying in the final season, especially after Dustin was so crushed by the death of Eddie Munson (Joseph Quinn) in the Upside Down.
“Steve isn’t dying,” one viewer argued. “Eddie was a Big Bro Mentor to Dustin precisely so they could kill him off and give Dustin this mourning arc without sacrificing Steve.”
And another Stranger Things fan predicted: “They’re almost certainly going to do basically this but have him survive at the last possible moment.”
Is your money on Steve Harrington perishing or will he live to see Vecna vanquished for good?
Stranger Things season 5, vol. 2 will be released 26th December followed by the finale on 1st January 2026 on Netflix.
