Stranger Things Finale’s Deaths Won’t Be Game Of Thrones-Level Extreme

As anticipation builds for the final chapter of Stranger Things, fans are anxiously wondering who will survive the series finale.

The hit Netflix science fiction show has constantly placed its characters in dangerous situations, and, as a result, many viewers are preparing themselves for a violent conclusion. However, the series’ creators Matt and Ross Duffer said that while the finale will be emotional and shocking, it won’t be a bloodbath.

Stranger Things season 5 has raised the stakes with the revelation that Eleven shares the same blood as Vecna. The show’s more recent seasons have seen a lot of characters make difficult sacrifices, such as Hopper, who has already faced a traumatizing incident. Most of Stranger Things’ protagonists have proved their willingness to put themselves in harm’s way for the greater good, which is why many believe that the finale could claim several lives.

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, the Duffer Brothers explained that the last chapter of Stranger Things isn’t just going to kill off a ton of its characters, especially not for shock value. Although there would likely be some deaths, the creators assured the audience that it wouldn’t be anywhere near as bad as Game of Thrones.

They continued to stress that the series is more character-driven and strives for emotional payoff rather than being ruthless for no purpose. While the finale will include scenes that might catch its viewers off guard, they’re not going to go out of their way to devastate the audience. Check out Matt’s comments below:

It’s not Game of Thrones. We’re not in Westeros. I love Game of Thrones, but it’s just a very different type of show than that. There’s not going to be a Red Wedding situation. I think some things happen in the finale that are very surprising, but we’re not trying to shock or upset anyone. I hope by the time people get to the end of the finale that it just feels like there’s something inevitable about what happens, and that it doesn’t feel painful but feels satisfying. We’ll see. But as for Steve’s fate. I don’t know. I can’t say. It would be the next logical step. He keeps getting beaten up more and more. The only way we could take it further is death.

The creators added that they’re concerned that fears regarding these deaths could potentially overshadow the characters themselves, especially Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown). As the heart of the series, her journey has always carried the most weight, and it would be a shame if the audience forgot about the importance of her story as a whole, which is what the finale is supposed to be about.

Stranger Things season 5’s finale will premiere on Netflix on December 31, 2025.