Stranger Things 5 has arrived. The final season of Stranger Things has kicked off with Stranger Things 5, Volume 1. Of course, eager as we have been to return to Hawkins and catch up with all our favs, a feeling of dread has also filled our hearts for some time now. Because a final season of Stranger Things is well final. And, among other things, the Duffer Brothers have promised that somewhere in Stranger Things 5 lurks “the most violent death of any season.” GULP! But is that violent death in Stranger Things 5, Volume 1? Are there any other less-violent deaths to watch out for in the series first set of final episodes? We break down the answer to the question we know you’re all asking: Are there any major character deaths in Stranger Things 5, Volume 1?
Are there any Major Character Deaths in Stranger Things 5, Volume 1?
You can exhale people. There are NO major characters in Stranger Things 5, Volume 1. That’s right, Steve, Max, Will, Eleven, Robin, Hopper, they are all still alive as we head into the final two volumes of Stranger Things 5. We aren’t sure whether we expected a death in Volume 1 or not, but we’re glad not to be actively mourning one of our favorite Stranger Things characters right now. And not dying means more screentime, which means more moments with our favorites while they breathe. (Steve.) Like I always say, it doesn’t matter if you die in a series if you die in the last episode. It’s all about still being a part of the action on screen to the last. And for now, everyone is coming with us into the next horizon.
Even Ted and Karen Wheeler Are Still Alive at the End of Stranger Things 5, Volume 1
We wouldn’t have seen this one coming if you’d asked us last week, but the characters who seemed most likely to die in Stranger Things 5, Volume 1 were Ted and Karen Wheeler. Yes, Mr. and Mrs. Wheeler nearly met their deaths at the hands of a Demogorgon sent by Vecna to kidnap Holly Wheeler in Stranger Things 5, Volume 2, episode one. And while we were certain they HAD died for a minute there, especially Ted Wheeler, who FINALLY got to spring into action, gold clubs in hand, in the end, both narrowly pulled through. But, in the end, Ted and Karen Wheeler remain alive in Stranger Things 5. And we’ll say that this near-miss death probably enshrines them with protection for the rest of the series. We’d be pretty surprised if, after such a gory almost-ending, Stranger Things killed these two well-meaning but bad at life parents.
We will say, though, that had this been Karen Wheeler’s death scene on Stranger Things, it would have been a worthy one. This sequence was an INCREDIBLE one, one of our favorites from Stranger Things overall and from Stranger Things 5, Volume 1. It’s super violent, bloody, tense, and incredibly sad. We didn’t think we’d really be rooting for or mourning for Ted and Karen Wheeler, but now that they’re not dead, we want to give them a hug.
No Deaths in Stranger Things 5, Volume 1 May Mean More Deaths in Volumes 2 and 3
But, while we rejoice now, that feeling of dread is already creeping back into our hearts like the chill on Will’s neck whenever Vecna is around. No deaths in Stranger Things 5, Volume 1 means that there could be MANY deaths, including the “most violent” Stranger Things death still waiting in the wings. And surely, next time the characters we love won’t be so lucky.
Who will die in the rest of Stranger Things? Well, we still feel like Will, Steve Harrington, Eleven, and Hopper are on the Stranger Things 5 death list. But after Stranger Things 5, Volume 1’s revelations about Will, we really hope he pulls through alive. Maybe both Jonathan and Steve will die instead. There would be deep irony there.
Giving us a little hope for our favs, the Duffer Brothers had this to say about upcoming deaths in Stranger Things 5: “I’ve said this before: The show is not “Game of Thrones.” I’m hoping it surprises people. But there’s no Red Wedding, if that’s what you’re asking. That would be depressing.” We do feel happy to hear that much. But still, it doesn’t mean all our favs are safe by any means.
In any case, all are alive for now. Stranger Things 5, Volume 1 is now streaming in full, that’s four episodes, on Netflix. Stranger Things 5, Volume 2 releases on Christmas (December 25). This includes episodes five through seven. Stranger Things 5, Volume 3 releases on New Year’s Eve (December 31). This is the finale episode, or episode eight. Each volume releases at 5 PM PT/8 PM ET.
Rotem Rusak is Nerdist’s Editor-in-Chief. She recently rewatched all of Stranger Things in 72 hours and is still not over Eddie Munson’s death. If Steve Harrington dies in Stranger Things 5, she will cry.
Originally published on November 26, 2025.