**Contains spoilers on Stranger Things season 5, volume 1**
Stranger Things finally returned to Netflix after three years last week, with the epic drop of season 5, volume 1. At the end of series 4, viewers were left with a lot of questions, the main one being: Is Max actually dead? Or, did she somehow (thanks to the help of Eleven), narrowly escape the clutches of Vecna?
This time around, El, Mike, Will, Lucas, Dustin and the rest of the Hawkins crew are back with a vengeance — intent on finally destroying Vecna for good, and restoring their once-quaint town to its former quiet glory.
In true Stranger Things style, the Duffer Brothers get straight into things — there's no messing about. The first episode opens in the Upside Down and takes us back to all those years ago when Vecna kidnaps Will. We watch Vecna/Henry infect Will with the 'hive mind,' ultimately connecting them both. Then, we're transported into the 'present day': the fall of 1987, and one year since Vecna attacked Max and left her in a coma.
As an all-out battle ensues against Vecna and the Upside Down, it's clear that no one is truly safe until the Hawkins crew claim victory. So, as the new season of Stranger Things becomes our entire personality for the foreseeable future, let's find out if anyone dies in this series. And who's next on the hit list?
Read on to find out about all the twists and turns in volume one, plus more predictions on who could be next.
Who dies in Stranger Things season 5?
Surprisingly, no one died in the first four episodes of Stranger Things season five. But, it was a close call for many of the characters.
The Wheeler family's home invasion
Members of the Wheeler family had a near-death experience when the Demogorgon broke into their home to kidnap Holly (Nell Fisher). Amid all the chaos, her mother Karen (Cara Buono) was viciously attacked, with the Demogorgon slashing her body with its claws.
And the creature didn't spare her father, Ted (played Joseph Crest), hurling him straight through a wall when he charged at it with nothing more than a golf club.
Hopper's brush with death
Hopper (David Harbour) found himself in muddy waters in episode four when he and Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) broke into the military's Upside Down facility. When it became clear the military planned to seize Eleven to experiment on, he revealed his extreme backup plan: a bomb vest strapped beneath his gear, ready to go if necessary.
Nevertheless, he survived as they both learned that Kali (Linnea Berthelsen) was being held by Dr. Kay (Linda Hamilton) inside the base.
All the Stranger Things season 5 death predictions and theories
When it comes to killing off characters, the Duffer Brothers are known for targeting newcomers, which means Linda Hamilton's Dr. Kay, Jake Connelly's Derek Turnbow and Holly Wheeler, played by Nell Fisher, could all be at risk as the latest arrivals.
However, with this being the final season, there's speculation that they could go rouge and kill off one of the OGs. Matt in particular has spoken about what it would mean to lose a core character, suggesting it would dramatically shift the series’ emotional tone. Even without confirmation, the thought has already stirred anxiety among fans.
Speaking about which characters came closest to death in previous seasons, Matt said: "Hopper at the end of season three. I think death grazed him."
He added to Entertainment Weekly: "There was a version where he perished at the end of tree. It's been a while since we had those discussions, but I feel like he came the closest to dying."
So, who could meet their doom in season five? Read on for all the theories and predictions about who might die in the final season, including the latest odds.
Lucas Sinclair
Fans have been worried about Lucas Sinclair (Caleb McLaughlin) ever since the season five trailer dropped and it looked like he was in trouble.
During season four, a popular theory suggested that Lucas would make the ultimate sacrifice to save Max from Vecna. Fans drew connections to the emotional lyrics in her go-to song, Kate Bush’s Running Up That Hill, which speaks about bargaining with God to switch places with someone.
According to Gambling.com, his odds are currently 8/1 to die in season five, which are pretty long odds. Based on this, Lucas could be safe this season.
Jonathan Byers
While a lot of fans think Jonathan will sacrifice himself to save his younger brother Will, according to Gambling.com, the oldest of the Byers brothers will make it through the season with odds of 13/2.
Jim Hopper
Like his daughter Eleven, Jim Hopper has had many brushes with death ,which makes us think that if it was going to be him it would have happened already. And with odds of 11/2, the coast is looking clear for Hopper.
Robin Buckley
With odds of 9/2, it's looking very likely that Robin could be a casualty this season. Robin has been a fave amongst fans since joining in season three, and now it's suspected that she could meet her fate in the finale.
Following the new episode release, one fan wrote on X (formerly Twitter): "I love Robin Buckley I hope she doesn’t die."
Nancy Wheeler
Fans of the show think that Nancy could be next in the firing line. Prior to Holly's recent kidnapping, the Wheelers hadn't experienced much loss, so viewers think season five could be their year.
"I've been wondering if Nancy will be the one that dies; almost like a bait and switch, with everyone theorising it's Steve who dies," one fan wrote on Reddit.
"Firstly, it nullifies the decision of Steve vs Jonathan, bringing closure to that storyline. Plus, the Wheelers haven't experienced any major loss-trauma yet, unlike most of the others. For El or Joyce or Hopper or Dustin or Lucas to suffer another profound loss feels like tragedy porn to a degree. I feel like it's Mike's turn to go through that experience."
Mike Wheeler
Mike could find himself in dangerous territory in season five. Fans have noticed that he wasn't seen much in the season five trailer, which they think is a sign that he's about to be killed off.
"Forgive me if I’m wrong. Everyone is talking about the lack of Steve in trailer and Jonathan dying because of Nancy washing blood off her hands… but we didn’t get much of Mike in the trailer neither," one fan wrote on Reddit.
"From season one it seemed Mike was the party leader, it slowly fades off throughout the seasons. In season four, Mike finally tells Eleven he loves her which gives her the motivation to fight off Vecna… what if Mike dying gives Eleven the actual push she needs to finally close the gate? What are your thoughts?"
Current betting odds place him at 7/2 to be given the chop in season five, which is very high. Mike, you might want to watch your back.
Eleven
Coming in second place is Eleven, with odds of 2/1 to be killed in season five.
Eleven has had many life or death moments, so it'd be nice for her to have a happy ever after. But it would be the finale of all finales if the show were to essentially kill off their biggest character.
On Reddit, one fan shared their theory about Eleven's death, writing: "Sadly I think the most likely major character dying would be Eleven. Her death has been foreshadowed from the start of the show. From the ending of season one (her sacrifice was the original intended ending for the show and the Duffers said everything will come back full circle), to "Brenner's" monologue in season two about how her powers would eventually kill her. We've seen her power hurt her from the very start (the nosebleeds, etc). That could've been set up from the start for a reason. I wouldn't be surprised when she has to go all out against Vecna at the end she ends up dying from it."
Vecna
Vecna is the current favourite to be killed this season with odds of 7/4. After all his murders, fans are eager for justice to be served and what better time than the finale.
Following the new episode drop, one fan wrote on X: "Stranger Things season five will end with Will killing Vecna and the people who will die are Eleven, Steve and Hopper."
"Vecna NEEDS to die. Enough killing," another said.
Stranger Things season 5, volume 1 is now streaming on Netflix.
