As the highly anticipated release of Stranger Things season five draws closer, fans are deep in speculation, crafting elaborate and often dark predictions for the show's finale. The extended wait, exacerbated by the 2023 writers' strike, has only fuelled the fervent online discourse.
The 'Wild' Reddit Theory
One fan took to the dedicated Stranger Things subreddit to pose the question, "What’s y’all’s theories for season 5 of Stranger Things?" and proceeded to outline a grim forecast. The user theorised that the season would culminate in Vecna destroying most of Hawkins, with Eleven managing to save the core group, but not without significant casualties.
The Redditor specifically named Will, Max, and potentially Steve as characters they believe will meet their end. They also suggested a return for the beloved character Eddie Munson, albeit in flashbacks or as a tool used by Vecna to torment the group.
Fan Reactions and Alternative Predictions
This theory, particularly the potential death of Steve Harrington, has sparked intense debate. On TikTok, following the release of the official trailer, many users declared Steve was "cooked" due to his limited screen time. However, others countered this, pointing out his multiple appearances as a sign of his safety.
The sentiment against Steve's demise is strong. One fan stated unequivocally, "Netflix. If Steve dies, we all die," while another pleaded, "They already took Eddie, so they can't have Steve too." Some reactions were even more direct, with a user threatening, "If you kill Steve or Max, I'll delete Netflix."
Other fans shared their own intricate predictions. One person argued that Will and Max are safe, questioning the narrative purpose of killing Max after her revival in season four. They proposed that Murray might be a more likely casualty.
Another theory harkened back to season one, pondering if the song 'Should I Stay or Should I Go' foreshadows a pivotal choice for Will between life and death or allegiances.
A Convincing Fake-Out?
A particularly compelling theory focuses on a specific moment from the trailer where Dustin is seen crying and hugging Steve. One fan suggested this could be part of a convincing fake death storyline for Steve.
The user elaborated, "Like all evidence points to him being very dead, and Dustin is devastated after losing Eddie last series, so the reveal that Steve is still alive is a huge relief." This would provide a powerful emotional moment to highlight the bond between Dustin and Steve in the final season, while still allowing the show to tease major stakes.
With the final season promising to be the scariest yet, these fan theories highlight the intense emotional investment and the high expectations for a satisfying, if potentially heartbreaking, conclusion to the beloved series.
