The final season of Stranger Things is officially here, and fans are bracing for heartbreak as the Hawkins crew faces their most dangerous battle yet. With Volume 1 now streaming on Netflix, viewers are buzzing with one burning question: Who dies in Stranger Things season five?
Even with the high stakes, escalating tension, and Vecna tightening his grip on both Hawkins and the Upside Down, the first four episodes hold back on major character losses. This is something many viewers didn’t expect. Volume 1 delivers twists, reveals and close calls that hint at what’s coming, but one thing’s clear: just because the current body count is low doesn’t mean anyone is truly safe. Vecna’s endgame is still unfolding, and the danger has never felt more real.
What happened to Max in ‘Stranger Things’?
Sadie Sink’s Max Mayfield’s fate has been one of the biggest mysteries heading into the final season. After her devastating encounter with Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower) at the end of season four, she was clinically dead for over a minute. Fortunately, Eleven, who’s played by actress Millie Bobby Brown, managed to restart her heart. Max still remained in a deep coma, leaving fans wondering if she would ever return.
The first volume of season 5 finally reveals the truth about Max’s condition. It’s more complex than anyone imagined. While her physical body remains comatose in a Hawkins hospital with Lucas faithfully by her side, Max’s consciousness is very much alive. She’s trapped inside Vecna’s mindscape, similar to how characters experience supernatural possession in other horror series.
In episode three, Max makes a surprise appearance. Nell Fisher’s Holly Wheeler discovers her in a hidden cave within Henry Creel’s psychic prison. Max explains that after dying, she heard someone calling to her. Then, she found herself in the Rainbow Room, the site where Henry Creel killed the other children at Brenner’s lab. She’s been trapped in Vecna’s memories for 20 months.
Now, with Holly trapped alongside her, Max has found an unexpected ally. Together, they’re plotting their escape from Vecna’s mind. As a result, this sets up what promises to be a crucial storyline in volume two.
Who is Mr. Whatsit?
One of season five’s most intriguing mysteries centers on Holly Wheeler’s “imaginary friend.” She calls him Mr. Whatsit, a reference to the character Mrs. Whatsit from Madeleine L’Engle’s classic novel A Wrinkle in Time. Mr. Whatsit turns out to be Vecna himself, appearing to Holly in his human form as Henry Creel. Using this friendly persona, Vecna has been manipulating Holly and other children in Hawkins. He promises to protect them from monsters while actually grooming them for abduction.
Bower drew inspiration from multiple sources to create Mr. Whatsit’s deceptively warm demeanor. During an interview with Deadline, the actor explained his character’s targeting of Holly.
“Holly is a very smart and bright child. I think Henry’s always seen himself as quite bright,” he said. “But also that presents a challenge as well. If I can win you over, then the rest of them will come easy.”
The Duffer Brothers explained that they chose this approach because Holly doesn’t play Dungeons & Dragons like the older kids. Instead, she needed her own framework to understand the supernatural events.
Does Hopper die in ‘Stranger Things’ season five?
Despite rumors and fan fears, Jim Hopper survives the first four episodes of the final season. However, that doesn’t mean he doesn’t face grave danger. Instead, the beloved police chief continues to put himself in harm’s way to protect those he loves.
In episode four, Hopper and Eleven break into the military’s base inside the Upside Down. They discover that Dr. Kay has captured Vecna and is conducting experiments on him. During this raid, Hopper offers to sacrifice himself for the cause. He puts himself in immediate danger. While he survives these initial episodes, his willingness to lay down his life for others remains a constant threat to his survival.
Meanwhile, the relationship between Hopper and Eleven continues to be a central emotional anchor of the series. Their tense discussions and joint missions in the Upside Down showcase the deep bond they’ve developed. Fans who have followed their journey from season one understand how much these two characters mean to each other.
What about other main characters?
None of the main characters die in the first volume. However, several face life-threatening situations that suggest the body count may rise dramatically in Volume 2. For now, all of the characters in the show face increasingly dangerous situations as Vecna’s plan unfolds.
Will there be a season six of ‘Stranger Things’?
No, there will not be a Season 6 of Stranger Things. The Duffer Brothers have confirmed that Season 5 is definitively the final chapter of the main series. However, the Stranger Things universe will continue in other forms, offering fans more content to explore after the main story concludes.
Netflix has officially greenlit multiple spin-offs. This includes Stranger Things: Tales From ’85, an animated series set between Seasons 2 and 3, which will premiere in 2026. The animated show takes place during the winter of 1985 in Hawkins. It features the main characters facing new monsters and supernatural threats.
Additionally, the Duffer Brothers have been developing a live-action spinoff. In November 2025, Matt Duffer confirmed the project is officially moving forward. The brothers have emphasized that the spinoff will be “1000% different” from the original series. It will feature new characters and a clean slate. It won’t focus on Eleven, Steve and Dustin, or any other established characters from the main series. Instead, it will maintain the “storytelling sensibility” of Stranger Things while exploring new territory within the same universe.
The stage play Stranger Things: The First Shadow also continues to expand the mythology. It explores Henry Creel/Vecna’s origins in 1959 with younger versions of characters, like Jim Hopper and Joyce Byers. The production reveals key details about Vecna’s backstory and helps fans understand the deeper lore of the series.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who plays Holly in Stranger Things?
Holly Wheeler is played by 14-year-old British-New Zealand actress Nell Fisher in Season 5. Fisher took over the role from twin sisters Anniston and Tinsley Price. They portrayed Holly as a young child in the first four seasons. The Duffer Brothers made the strategic decision to age up Holly. They recast the role with a more experienced actress capable of carrying substantial narrative weight.
Why is Nov. 6 Stranger Things day?
Nov. 6 marks the fictional date when Will Byers went missing in Hawkins, Indiana, in 1983. This was the pivotal event that launched the entire series. On that evening in the show’s first episode, young Will vanished while riding his bike home. He had just finished a game of Dungeons & Dragons with his friends, and this triggered the discovery of the Upside Down. Additionally, it also led to Eleven’s escape from Hawkins National Laboratory and the supernatural mystery that would consume the town.
Netflix officially designated November 6 as Stranger Things Day in 2018. It turned into an annual celebration. The streaming platform releases behind-the-scenes footage, bloopers, sneak peeks, merchandise, and announcements about upcoming content. Fans worldwide participate by sharing art, cosplay, hosting watch parties, and revisiting their favorite episodes.