The highly anticipated final season of Netflix's hit series, Stranger Things, has sent the fanbase into a frenzy of speculation. With the first four episodes of Season Five launching on December 26, 2025, and a trail of ominous hints already laid, viewers are desperately trying to predict which character will be the first to fall to the villainous Vecna. One prevailing and particularly emotional theory centres on fan-favourite Steve Harrington, played by Joe Keery.
The Theory of a Hero's Sacrifice
Speculation ignited after the season's trailer dropped, with keen-eyed fans noting Steve's relatively limited screen time. This sparked a wave of concern on platforms like Reddit, where one user posited a devastating end for the former high-school king. The theory suggests that Steve will make the ultimate sacrifice to save his friends, a move that would be foreshadowed by a poignant callback to an earlier season.
The Redditor specifically referenced a classic exchange between Steve and Nancy Wheeler, where she calls him "an idiot" and he tenderly replies, "You are beautiful, Nancy Wheeler." In television, such flashbacks are often used to underscore a character's journey right before a tragic end, designed to pull at the heartstrings of the audience.
Fans Debate the Impact on Dustin
However, not all fans are convinced Steve will die. Many argue that his death would be too crushing for Dustin Henderson (Gaten Matarazzo), who is still reeling from the loss of his brotherly figure, Eddie Munson, in Season Four. One supporter of this view wrote that killing Steve would overwhelm Dustin's character arc, which is already focused on grief.
Instead, these fans predict a severe, lasting injury for Steve. Suggestions range from him losing an eye or a limb while protecting others to a disfigurement that would force him to move beyond his former 'player' persona. One popular alternative theory sees Steve potentially becoming Hawkins' new sheriff or a deputy under Jim Hopper, finding a new purpose and perhaps even love that isn't based on his looks.
A Compromise or a Double Tragedy?
The debate took another turn when a fan recalled a line from Season Three, where Dustin told Steve, "If you die, I die." This has led some to fear that Steve's death could trigger a double tragedy, with Dustin potentially following suit. Others speculate about a narrative swerve, where Jonathan Byers might beat Steve to a sacrifice play, resolving their ongoing competition for Nancy's affection this season.
Yet, a cynical segment of the fandom doubts the show's writers will kill any main character at all. They point to missed opportunities in previous seasons, like the survival of Mike's parents despite grave danger, as evidence that the core cast might all emerge alive, if not unscathed. As one fan bluntly put it, after numerous narrow escapes, they believe no main character is truly going to die.
With the new episodes now streaming, fans across the UK and beyond are binge-watching to discover Steve Harrington's true fate and whether these chilling predictions will come to pass in the battle against the Upside Down.
