Most die-hard Stranger Things fans binge-watched the entire 13-hour-long fourth season in one go, or at least as quickly as they possibly could! With over a month separating the episode 7 and 8 release dates, fans are now all worked up with nowhere to go and have found themselves theorizing the outcomes of their favorite characters.
With some wild and outlandish ideas on the internet, not all of them seem plausible, however, some fan theories make so much sense that they may as well be categorized as spoilers! Analyze the expectations for the next installment of Stranger Things according to the series' biggest fans.
10 Suzie's Coming Along
It seems that Suzie Poo has gotten herself into quite a bit of trouble at home and, without access to her computer, there is not much else she can do to help; unless she tags along that is.
Mike and Will have the information they need to locate the NINA Project, but without Dusty Bun to help with the intellectual legwork, (and considering the amount of marijuana consumption in that minivan), the boys will likely need further assistance. Already proven to be a rule-breaker, Suzie may as well misbehave one more time to save her beloved. Oh! And the world too!
9 Eight Returns
Although Eleven defeated One before Season 4 (well, kind of) she will undoubtedly need help to take on this supernatural entity in his element. Mere mortals have proven themselves useful in the past, but Vecna's destruction might need that special touch that only Dr. Brenner's experiments can deliver.
Eleven and Kali teamed up before in Season 2, so why not join forces again as Jane travels back to Hawkins to face the monster head-on. The combined efforts of both superhuman girls may be enough to restrain One or eliminate him from existence entirely, but only time will tell.
8 Eddie's Guitar
Eddie Munson may not be the bravest, the smartest, or even the strongest, but what he is a musician, and against an omnipotent being with an aversion for music, that seems like the best weapon! Eddie can be seen back in the Upside Down in the teaser for Volume 2, with his guitar in hand; a bulky yet wise choice for the treacherous mission.
Thankfully Max finds solace in Running Up That Hill, but by using her walkman, she can only save herself, whereas Eddie could possibly protect the entire group with a musical force field. If he finds a catchy-enough tune to keep everyone's minds focused, they could stand a better chance against Vecna and his Demo-Bats.
7 Steve's Fate
It seems unavoidable to walk away from Season 5 with a full cast, so most fans are preparing themselves for brutally heartbreaking character death. While many votes go towards Will's demise or speculations about Lucas's survivability, in terms of storyline development, Steve seems the most likely to sacrifice himself; either to save Nancy or one of the kids he "unwillingly" babysits.
The majority of Season 4 emphasizes what a good guy Steve is, who somehow always seems to be at the frontline of all the action. The noble heartthrob could never run when his friends are in danger, and, without Hopper to help, Steve is now the strongest guy around.
6 Erica The Ultimate Hero
Erica Sinclair has become a crucial element of the storyline over the past few seasons, and her grand declaration to Eddie when advocating her inclusion in Hellfire is a memorable interaction. Considering how closely Stranger Things is tied to Dungeons and Dragons, Erica's less-than-humble words, as amusing as they are, should not be taken lightly.
The direct correlation between gameplay and reality is undeniable, and the fact that Erica's D&D character instigated Vecna's fictional death in the game could be paramount to the storyline for Season 5. It will likely involve another legendary Dustin-Erica team-up, but D&D is a joint effort after all!
5 Robin Saves Nancy
As it stands in Season 4 Volume 1, Nancy has unwittingly fallen into the clutches of Venca, trapped in the Upside Down with the fearsome psychopath. As everyone is well aware by now, music is Venca's Achilles Heel and can be used to wake his victims from their trance, freeing them from his influence, and Nancy is definitely in need of a melodic intervention.
Many fans assume that Eddie and his guitar will inspire Nancy's awakening, but does the rocker know the straight-and-narrow Nancy's favorite song? Attentive fans might have noticed that when examining Nancy's bedroom, Robin picked up some cassette tapes to inspect. With Mike and Jonothan away and Steve being, well, Steve, Robin may be the only one in Nancy's nearby vicinity who actually knows her best-loved track.
4 Eleven's Heritage
Fans met Eleven's mother in Season 2, but not much has been seen or heard of her since, and the topic of paternity has not been breached (apart from Hopper and Dr. Brenner's relationships). Papa seems to have inserted himself into Jane's life from a young age, and his possible direct relation to the girl is often questioned; however, Peter's involvement certainly changes things a bit.
Dr. Brenner was immensely inspired by One's powers and sought to replicate this amazing anomaly by any means. Driven by Science and lacking a moral code, it is quite possible that "Papa" used Peter's DNA in some kind of surrogacy program to reproduce his superhuman qualities, which could mean that Peter is, in fact, Eleven's long-lost father!
3 Nancy The Mastermind
Not only was Nancy the first person to connect Victor Creel to Vecna and the attacks on Hawkins, but out of all the characters, she knows the most about Vecna's past. This insightful journalist has the best potential to find Vecna's weakness and put an end to the Upside Down once and for all.
Many fans anticipate a heart-to-heart moment where Vecna is persuaded to change his tune, however, considering this trope is used in Season 3 with Billy, the Duffer Brothers surely have something else up their sleeve. Nancy mentioning her gun skills in episode 7 could be significant, or she could construct the perfect plan and lead her friends to safety, but either way, Nancy is likely the key.
2 A Family Reunion
Victor Creel is quite an unforgettable character, and many fans anticipate his return in Season 5. This theory is particularly popular with those who favor a classic redemption scene for Vecna, whereas others believe things will take a more sinister turn. The reunion of father and son is hinted at in the final moments of episode 7 when Vecna mentions Victor to Nancy, remembering his intentions to pay Victor a visit.
Regardless of their relations, Victor is likely to hold some resentment towards Henry for the brutal murder of his family, his wrongful incarceration, and the total destruction of countless lives. Who knows, maybe Vecna will let his guard down, assuming no threat from the battered old man, and Victor will be the one to end Vecna, or at least do some crucial damage while trying.
1 Will's Painting
Viewers have still not stolen a glimpse of Will's mysterious painting which is unsettling, and his vague disconnection from Season 5 has a lot of fans on edge. Victor Creel's description of his son aligns almost word for word with Joyce's interpretation of Will in Season 1, both emphasizing how sensitive their boy is. The fact that the Upside Down is frozen in time on the exact date of Will's disappearance cannot purely be a coincidence, and maybe Vecna has had his clutches on Will's mind for longer than viewers would like to admit.
The painting could reveal a crucial element to Will's continued connection to the Upside Down, likely to only be discovered too late. The time travel aspect combined with the hive mind theory of the Upside Down could indicate that Will has access to Vecna's memories, and subconsciously depicted them in his artworks like before. Sadly, most fans believe that the troubled boy's death will come before this connection can be severed, particularly because Noah Schnapp has announced he will be attending college during Stranger Things Season 5's expected production period.