Each season of Stranger Things has become darker, with season 4 being the grimmest yet. Stranger Things season 5 is thought to include a time jump to for the ages of its core cast, and this will allow the series to continue with its heavier themes as it wraps up the story.

Stranger Things season 4 ended on a cliffhanger, with Eddie Munson dead, Max comatose, and Vecna breaking through to the real world. Though Vecna took an incredible amount of damage, he appears to have survived, meaning that there is still at least one major battle to go. Stranger Things creators, the Duffer Brothers, have teased some major character deaths in season 5. As some of the Stranger Things main characters spent season 4 wrapping up their storylines, some appear more likely to meet their end than others. Here are some of the likely fates of Stranger Things' heroes.

14 Erica Will Become A Rogue

A Time Jump Would Show An Older, Wiser Erica

Stranger Things could build on its themes by setting up younger characters with exciting new character traits. Stranger Things is heavily inspired by Dungeons and Dragons, with many of the lead characters' fighting styles correlating to characters classes from the role-playing game. Erica began Stranger Things with disdain for nerdy pastimes but ends up ing the Hellfire Club as a half-elf Rogue character. Rogues are known for tricks and sneaky combat, which Erica excels at, despite constantly being underestimated.

If Erica still has the Rogue's talent for avoiding harm that she showed in season 4, she is likely to survive the coming conflicts.

If there is a Stranger Things season 5 time jump, Erica will become wiser and more formidable as a character. Dustin has already noticed that she is a math whiz and a political junkie with an interest in Russia, and these skills will almost certainly be crucial in season 5. If Erica still has the Rogue's talent for avoiding harm that she showed in season 4, she is likely to survive the coming conflicts.

13 Joyce Will Get Her Happy Ending With Hopper

Stranger Things Must Give Joyce A Moment's Peace

Joyce Byers has been one of the most tortured characters in the Stranger Things universe, going from a mother in turmoil looking for her son to an active part of the battle against Vecna. Still, Joyce has barely known a moment that somebody she loves is not in danger, so it is likely that Joyce will lose somebody close to her in Stranger Things season 5. However, it's also likely Joyce herself and Hopper will likely survive together.

Hopper and Joyce's relationship timeline has been complicated at times, but Stranger Things season 4's ending made their relationship official. Joyce already lost Bob Newby in Stranger Things season 2, so it looks unlikely that Stranger Things will repeat this storyline and forcing Joyce to cope with losing Hopper too. The pair are formidable when they fight as a team, and season 5 will probably explore this new dynamic, further empowering Joyce.

12 Dustin Will Survive To See Suzie Again

Dustin Actor Gaten Matarazzo Has Hinted That His Character Will Survive

Dustin quickly became a fan-favorite character in Stranger Things, and may actually be one of the most likely to survive the show. While most actors have kept quiet about the plans for their characters, Gaten Matarazzo has offered Dustin fans some hope for his future. Matarazzo addressed Dustin's season 5 ending, saying that it will be a bookend that will wrap up his story nicely. As Dustin began Stranger Things being bullied, it seems possible that he will become a character to rally around, continuing Eddie Munson's legacy.

As covered by Screen Rant, Dustin's romance with Suzie was established in season 3, leading to a viral moment where the pair sang a song from The Neverending Story together.

Dustin is the character likeliest to have a happy ending, having found love with his fellow nerd Suzie, inspiration from Eddie, and popularity among his friends. It has often been Dustin, rather than Will, who has become the heart of the group. As Matarazzo has also mentioned the possibility of a Dustin spin-off when he is in his 30s, his future appears more optimistic than most.

11 Lucas Will Avenge Max

Lucas's Personal Storyline Should Continue With A Revenge Mission

While Lucas was always a core member of the group, his storyline didn't feel as developed as the other characters until Stranger Things season 4. Lucas's low-stakes storyline, in which he felt torn between his new friends and old friends, became a powerful performance as he tried to help Max through her grief for Billy. Lucas's scene as Max seemingly dies is one of the most heartbreaking in Stranger Things. Whether or not Max recovers or not, Lucas has a score to settle with Vecna.

In the Stranger Things Dungeons and Dragons group, Lucas is established as a Ranger early on, which means that he is often the last line of defense. Rangers, like Lucas, protect a group or person from dangers coming from outside, which is exactly what happens in season 4. Lucas has the most volatile temper out of the group and as Rangers are known to take revenge missions, Lucas needs to avenge Max and do some serious damage to Vecna. However, it might become a one-way mission.

10 Jonathan Will Be The Voice Of Reason, Then Leave

Jonathan's Story Has Been Set Up For Him To Leave Hawkins

Jonathan's character arc has taken him from a troubled accidental creep to a key character with one of the best scenes in Stranger Things. The moment where Jonathan comforts Will, while he appears to be on the verge of coming out, is one of the most subtle and well-acted scenes in the show. Jonathan has often been the voice of reason in Stranger Things, but his storyline is pointing to him leaving Hawkins forever, one way or another.

While Stranger Things season 5's Jonathan story may seem concerning, it doesn't necessarily point to him dying. Jonathan and Nancy appear to have grown apart, so the miniature storyline in which Jonathan struggles with his college choice could be setting him up to leave Hawkins for good. Jonathan will certainly have a role to play in Stranger Things season 5, but if Vecna is defeated and Jonathan survives, Jonathan could go to New York University as he always wanted to and make a new life for himself.

9 Mike Will Bring The Group Back Together

Mike Has Some Growing Up To Do In The Stranger Things Time Jump

Mike spent a large amount of Stranger Things season 4 preoccupied with his relationship with Eleven, but unable to express his true feelings for her until the last moment. His friendship with Will has suffered to the point that he can't see the pain that Will is in, and Mike's speech to Eleven made things worse. As Mike's actor Finn Wolfhard has confirmed that season 5 will see a return to "leader Mike," he may have done some soul-searching in the time jump.

This could set up an older and wiser Mike to reenter "leader mode" at a crucial junction in the story, giving him an important role to play in Stranger Things season 5.

With Lucas devastated by Max's state, Eleven facing yet another supernatural battle, and Will struggling with both Vecna's influence and his sexuality, Mike will need to lead once more. Mike's best scenes are when he rallies his group even when they are tired and scared. This could set up an older and wiser Mike to reenter "leader mode" at a crucial junction in the story, giving him an important role to play in Stranger Things season 5.

8 Robin Will Have A Heart To Heart With Will (& Maybe Save His Life)

If Anybody Understands What Will Is Going Though, It Will Be Robin

Robin and Steve have had one of the best friendships in Stranger Things since she was introduced in season 3. Robin has had some of the best quotes in Stranger Things, and while she is often one of the funniest characters, season 5 will need her serious side. Robin knows what it is like to feel like a failure, and is the only other main LGBTQ+ character in Stranger Things. This means that she and Will must talk about their shared perspective.

As Will's mental state is so fragile, Robin would be the perfect character to show him that he is not alone. As Vecna has been shown to prey on the most mentally vulnerable characters, this could be the friendship that saves Will from Vecna. Robin has become a fan-favorite character, and her empathy will be needed just as much as her quick thinking in Stranger Things season 5.

7 Hopper Will Have To Choose Between Sara And Eleven

Stranger Things Season 5 Placed A Casting Call For Hopper's Daughter

The circumstances surrounding the death of Hopper's daughter Sara have been mysterious, leading to several theories that Hawkins lab was somehow involved. Over the Stranger Things story, Hopper's relationship with Eleven evolved, with her becoming his adopted daughter. Their dynamic is one of the best in the series, but a ghost from Hopper's past has been confirmed to appear in Stranger Things season 5.

Stranger Things put out a casting for Sara, and while it is possible that Hopper's daughter could appear in flashbacks, there is another potential explanation. Hawkins lab once tried to convince Joyce that Will was dead, even showing her a fake autopsy. Sara could potentially be alive, or a part of the Upside-Down. If this is true, then Hopper will be put in a difficult position, forcing him to destroy Sara to help Eleven. Stranger Things season 5 may answer the mystery, but it may make Hopper choose between Sara and Eleven.

6 Nancy's Love Triangle Will Have Ended Before Season 5 Begins

As Nancy Grew Into A Better Character, Her Subplot Did Not Do Her Justice

Nancy's love triangle subplot is more fitting to a side character than one of the fiercest characters in Stranger Things. Nancy's character arc has transformed her into a more actualized character, and keeping this romance plot would be both distracting and unnecessary, not to mention overlong, considering Stranger Things season 5's time jump. Stranger Things season 5 may begin with Nancy happily single and fighting the Upside-Down's monsters, or in a secure relationship.

Bringing Nancy's story full circle with her establishing her independence would be a fitting ending, allowing her to continue her journey into adulthood. While it is unlikely that she would die to save any of the other characters, the next season will likely strengthen her relationships with many. Stranger Things season 5 will even show Nancy pairing up with Mike for the first time. As Nancy has become one of the best weapons s and Mike's strength lies in his leadership skills, this could involve a great battle scene involving the Wheeler siblings.

5 Steve Will Die

Steve Seems To Be Set Up For A Heroic Sacrifice In Stranger Things Season 5

Stranger Things initially appeared to set Steve up as a villain, but of all the characters in the series, he has undoubtedly had the best redemption arc. He's become a fan-favorite, developing a big brother-style relationship with many of the younger characters. Steve has shown that he is willing to put himself in danger to protect them. This character trait may result in Steve risking his life in Stranger Things season 5, and ultimatly failing to escape.

Stranger Things has often surprised viewers with unexpected twists and deaths (or lack of them) but while Steve's death appears to be predictable, it could happen under unusual or jump-scare circumstances, raising the stakes of any other conflicts. Stranger Things can't recreate Eddie Munson's iconic death with Steve as the two were very different characters, but it could still give him a fitting ending involving a sacrifice during a climactic battle.