Note: This article contains spoilers for Stranger Things Season 5.
It is the fall of 1987 in the sleepy town of Hawkins, Indiana. A year ago, a strange crack split through the ground, and ash rained from the sky like snow after a series of strange disappearances. With the town in complete shutdown and significant government secrecy, it is uncertain what will happen next. This is where the last season of the hit Netflix TV show, Stranger Things, left off. Recently, the first four episodes of Stranger Things Season 5 released, sparking curiosity among West High students, whose imaginations have led them to craft their own theories about what will happen next.
The show, which began in 2016, blends 80s nostalgia with supernatural mystery in following kids from Hawkins, Indiana who uncover dark secrets about the Upside Down, a parallel dimension full of monsters and twisted versions of their city. Season 5 continues this, with the main group split up in the Upside Down, facing new dangers and threats. The season’s first four episodes end on a cliffhanger, with the characters in peril, and unresolved relationship tensions, leaving fans eagerly awaiting what comes next.
Students at West High formed their own theories about how the next few episodes will unfold. “I don’t think any of the characters will die,” Natalie McMahon (10) explained, “but if anyone does, I feel like it will definitely be Eleven.” Other students agree with McMahon’s prediction. Mizuki Koyama (10) brought up an interview with Eleven’s actress, Millie Bobby Brown, where Brown hinted at an unusual ending for the character: “I saw a video where Millie Bobby Brown said, ‘my ending,’ and I think she will die.”
Character deaths leave fans on the edge of their seats. However, the topic eliciting the most discussion is which characters will end up together by the end of the series. “I want Lucas and Max to end up together for sure!” McMahon exclaimed. Teasers for the new season show Lucas carrying Max’s comatose body down a hospital escalator, stereo in hand, leaving fans worried about the couple’s fate. “Another theory I’ve seen,” McMahon added, “is that if Jonathan dies, Nancy will find the ring after his death.” Nancy and Jonathan’s relationship has split the Stranger Things fandom. Some believe the two should stay together, while others hope Nancy ends up with her first- love interest, Steve. “Steve deserves so much better, and Jonathan is a creep,” Koyama declared, “but Nancy is bad, so I don’t want him to get back with her!”
Other theories about the new season not only explore character relationships, but spotlights, as well. Nicholas Sanchez (10) predicts that the season’s focus will shift: “I think there’s a lot of foreshadowing. It’s pretty obvious this season is focused more on Will than Eleven, like it was in the past,” he explains. “I feel like Eleven and Mike are going to break up, and it’ll be a turning point for Eleven to learn independence.” Sanchez also believes the dynamics between the characters are evolving. “I have a feeling the next few episodes will focus more on Mike and Will. They’ve been kind of distant, but now, especially with Season 5, it looks like they’ll get closer.” He adds, “Mike has always seemed like his whole life revolves around Eleven, but now I think he’s starting to realize his relationship with Will. There’s definitely some flirtatious tension between them.”
With respect to character deaths, Sanchez predicts, “I think it’s clear that a few characters are bound to die. It’s either going to be Jonathan or Steve, especially with the whole storyline about who’s better for Nancy.” He adds, “I wouldn’t be surprised if Eleven is permanently out of the story by the end of the season,” Sanchez expressed, adding another intriguing twist to the theories surrounding the show.
Natalie Thompson (10) also weighed in on Jonathan’s and Steve’s fates. “I think it’s likely either Steve or Jonathan will die to finally end the Jancy vs. Stancy war, probably in a sacrifice where Nancy is present,” she predicts. Thompson also expressed her thoughts on romantic pairings, especially with regard to Byler (Byler is a ship name for Will and Mike): “I’m very biased about this, but I genuinely think Byler will become canon. I could go into all the reasons why, but that would take a long time. The biggest piece of evidence for me is that they should’ve ended Will’s ‘one-sided’ love with Mike if they were going to make Mileven canon. Dragging it out seems stupid.”
The characters’ developing powers also received some attention, with Thompson adding, “I think Will’s gain and showing of powers is likely temporary—until Vecna dies. If there’s no more Upside Down or connection to him, I’m assuming, then he’ll no longer have them. The same could go for Eleven, but I doubt it.”
As for her reaction to the season so far, Thompson shares, “I think this season, so far, is really good. I like the central plot—every character is working toward the same goal instead of being spread around like last season.” She also praised Mike’s character development: “Mike has developed amazingly in the 18-month time skip. In Season 4, he was insufferable, but now he’s finally becoming more like his character in Seasons 1-2, which I love to see.”
However, Thompson had some critiques: “Unfortunately, as of right now, Robin seems to only exist in the plot to help Will find himself. She’s really done nothing else this season, which is unfortunate because we know she’s a capable character.” She also voiced her displeasure with Steve pursuing Nancy: “I’m not a fan of Steve trying to go for Nancy. She has a boyfriend and has expressed no actual interest in him.”
Throughout Season 5, fans have been left with more questions than answers, for each episode adds new layers to the complex dynamics between the characters. Whether it is Eleven’s fate, Mike and Will’s evolving relationship, or the tension between Jonathan and Steve, viewers eagerly watched to see how these theories play out on screen. With many speculations circulating, it is clear that the show’s ability to keep its audience guessing remains one of its greatest strengths.
