Stranger Things Final Season: Steve Harrington Should Live (Photo Credit – Instagram)
Advertisement
As we approach the final season of Stranger Things, many viewers are filled with theories, feelings, and one giant fear: Is Steve Harrington going to die in Season 5? No single character has grown so much in a show. From high school heartthrob to everyone’s favorite babysitter and monster-slayer, Steve has morphed into the most lovable character in Stranger Things.
Steve’s Redemption Arc Deserves A Better Ending
As per Rotten Tomatoes, not many may know that Steve Harrington was originally meant to die in Season 1. The Duffer Brothers—Matt and Ross—revealed during Netflix’s Geeked Week that Steve’s character was supposed to be killed off during the Demogorgon battle. At the time, he was portrayed as little more than a stereotypical high school bad boy and Nancy’s not-so-great boyfriend.
But everything changed thanks to Joe Keery’s performance. Steve’s character began to evolve. And while Stranger Things has said goodbye to beloved characters like Barb, Bob, Dr. Alexei, and Eddie Munson, it has never killed off a major core character like Steve.
Ending Steve’s journey with death now would undo the emotional investment fans have made. He doesn’t need to die to complete his arc.
His Death Feels Predictable — And Fans Might Not Accept It
Steve is one of the most popular characters in the entire franchise, which is precisely why many fans are bracing themselves for his death. But that’s the problem — it’s too expected now. After surviving multiple near-death situations, another heroic sacrifice may feel more like fan manipulation than meaningful storytelling.
And fans are speaking up. On Reddit, one user says, “The only thing that would break Steve more than killing him is forcing him to watch someone he failed to protect get hurt… like Dustin or Nancy.” Considering the storyline, he must sacrifice himself for Dustin because his growth is tied more to friendship than romance.
One of the most heartwarming elements of Stranger Things is Steve’s bond with Dustin — it’s pure, protective, and full of growth. His close friendship with Robin also highlights his emotional maturity and loyalty. These relationships reflect just how far Steve has come from his Season 1 persona. He’s no longer the arrogant, self-centered teenager. He’s evolved into someone who leads with empathy and puts others first, without expecting anything romantic in return.
Final Words
Stranger Things doesn’t need to kill off Steve Harrington to deliver a powerful, emotional finale. He’s already endured so much and proven his growth time and again. Steve has earned a shot at peace — his journey doesn’t need to end in tragedy to be meaningful.
