If we really think about it, Stranger Things has pretty much conveyed to us the fact that no one in Hawkins is safe. The creatures kill them, the government agents, who act offshore and secretly, do the same, and the writers also kill them just to make us cry all the time. They have said goodbye to characters that were loved, and to those that were hated over four seasons, and every farewell was different. Below is a countdown of the series’s saddest deaths, from the loveliest to the most heartbreaking ones.
10. Dr. Martin Brenner (“Papa”)
Not many were hoping for Brenner’s survival. He was a man who was deceitful in every way and, in particular, aimed to take control over the life of Eleven. But the death of his character in Season 4 was a bit ambiguous. The moment was more painful than anticipated, with Matthew Modine’s performance, the rising music, and Eleven’s ambivalent feelings for him. It wasn’t a move to a better world but a release from a toxic relationship.
9. Barbara Holland (Barb)
Barb will forever be the fandom’s initial rallying call. During Season 1, she was Nancy’s good friend who simply wished to keep Nancy out of trouble, to become dinner for the Demogorgon. Barb’s death was not very painful because it was brutal, but everyone seemed to have forgotten about her very quickly. Luckily, “Justice for Barb” made sure her ultimate sacrifice didn’t go unheard.
8. Chrissy Cunningham
The fourth season introduced us to Chrissy, the epitome of a cheerleader stereotype, only to reveal that she was hiding a lot of trauma. Her short but sweet love affair with Eddie made her character lovable, so it was all the more heartbreaking to see her brutally killed by Vecna. Witnessing it through Eddie’s helpless gaze was the introduction of a terrible new monster.
7. Benny Hammond
Benny was one of the first people to treat Eleven really well: he gave her food, protection, and comfort. To the dismay of the fans, he was shot by the government agents and became the first victim of the dark secrets of Hawkins. Through his death, it was made clear that the ones with good hearts would not survive in this world.
6. Alexei
Within just a few episodes, Alexei’s Slurpee obsession and innocent delight at discovering American life gained him the love and admiration of the viewers. Just when he was about to enjoy his liberty, triumphing at the carnival games, laughing with Murray, he got arrested. His death, accompanied by his naive fun, was one of the most unexpected moments in the series.
5. Billy Hargrove
Billy was mainly a bully during the time he was under the control of the Mind Flayer. Nevertheless, he made it back to the light with his last action in Season 3 – saving Max and her friends by sacrificing himself. Watching Max grieve over her difficult brother gave the series an emotional depth that reflected in his death scene, making it both tragic and cathartic.
4. The Lab Kids (The Other Numbers)
Season 4 finally revealed the fate of the other kids who were subjected to experiments at Hawkins Lab. Eleven was left to face the horrific murder of the lab kids by One/Vecna. These characters may have had a very brief appearance, but the fear of their demise underlined the horror that Eleven had to face and the coldness of Vecna’s evil.
3. Max Mayfield (Coma, Possibly Worse)
Looking at Max’s fate in Season 4, it unfolded in a way that was unexpected to the audience. Vecna ultimately incapacitated her, leaving the poor girl in a coma and in bits. The scene showing her friends’ tears over her lifeless body is extremely heartbreaking, together with the thought of “what if she’s really gone?”. One of the most heartbreaking scenes in the show is when Lucas holds her as she passes away.
2. Bob Newby
Lovely and trustworthy Bob. After Joyce left misery behind and found happiness with him, it was Aaron’s Season 2 moment – just when everything was perfect, during the Demodogs attack, Bob was murdered, a split second after he saved everyone. Bob’s cheerfulness and putting others before himself made him stand out from the crowd, and his shocking demise served as a powerful reminder that Hawkins has an expiry date for good times.
1. Eddie Munson
Fans were divided into two groups over Eddie’s death in Season 4. He was an instant fan favorite, going from the dungeon master to the reluctant hero. Thus, it was not only shockingly and heartbreakingly cool when he made his last performance, thus Master of Puppets, to attract the demobats, and then self-sacrifice. His final statement to Dustin, complying with his being proud that he finally stood his ground, thus making him a legend, nd was the conjunction of two things: Eddie didn’t just die a hero, he died the hero.
Stranger Things has mastered the science of ripping our hearts out by turning villains we loved into heroes who were saved too late. And with the last season arriving, one thing is clear: Hawkins still has more heartbreaks in store for us.