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Created by the Duffer Brothers, Stranger Things, is a sci-fi horror drama that gained massive worldwide popularity for its themes of nostalgia and homage to the 1980s, the stellar soundtrack, and the performances and storyline of the show. The series revolves around the residents of a town, Hawkins, who are attacked by creatures of another dimension. The show is known for introducing heartfelt characters and then killing them off in a tragic manner. Here are 10 of the most tragic deaths in the show.
Disclaimer: This entire article is based on the writer's opinion. Readers' discretion is advised.
Bob Newby, Alexei, and other tragic deaths on Stranger Things
1. Barbara Holland
Also known as Barb, she was Nancy’s best friend and voice of reason in the first season of Stranger Things. As an unassuming and shy character, she was also the first character to be unjustly killed off, which caused a viral movement. Her death is tragic as she simply accompanied Nancy, while she went to Steve Harrington’s party. However, she is attacked by the Demogorgon, who pulls her to the upside down.
While Nancy frantically tries to search for her best friend, it is later revealed that she is indeed dead in the other dimension, as found out by Eleven. Her sweet and lovable character sparked an online movement, titled, #JusticeForBarb as the makers initially ignored her death in the series and simply labeled it as a disappearance. However, her character got a respectful ending when Eleven finds her out.
2. Eddie Munson
Eddie is a charismatic figure introduced in the fourth season of Stranger Things. He is initially seen as the leader of the Hellfire Club, comprising a group of gamers who meet to play Dungeons & Dragons. Eddie is the one who witnesses the death of Chrissy Cunningham and joins the Stranger Things crew in their battle against Vecna. His character is well fleshed out as he is seen as someone who is sensitive, loyal to his friends, and loves his guitars and Tabletop RPGs.
However, even with a well-defined and rounded personality, he meets a tragic end in the season finale. When the gang decides to attack Vecna in the upside down, he decides to stay behind with Dustin and protect his friends from the Demobats protecting the realm. His end is tragic but memorable, as he plays his guitar and dies protecting his friends, proving that he has finally faced his fears.
3. Bob Newby
Bob is another character introduced in the second season of Stranger Things, who caused an uproar among fans because of his horrific and tragic end in the series. He shows up as Joyce Byers’ love interest and works at the RadioShack store. People were initially skeptical of him as he was a simpleton and was an obstacle between the storyline of Joyce and Jim. However, he quickly won over fans with his kind and helpful personality.
However, the series has a knack for killing off well-rounded characters that audiences begin to love. His death is striking and unforgettable. While helping Jim, Joyce, and the gang in their fight against the Demodogs at the Hawkins National Laboratory, he gets attacked by one of the creatures at the last moment. His death is all the more tragic as he was about to escape and reunite with Joyce and the kids, but got attacked by the deadly creatures at the last moment.
4. Chrissy Cunningham
Chrissy is introduced in the fourth season of Stranger Things and she is one of the first victims of Vecna. Her character is introduced as a popular cheerleader, who is disturbed by the dangerous visions Vecna is giving her. She approached Eddie, whom she believes can help her by giving her some drugs. Her character also establishes the dread of Vecna and the manner in which he kills his victims.
Chrissy’s death is gruesome and tragic as she had begun to form a bond with Eddie and her character had begun to show layers. However, Eddie is the one who witnesses her death as she is finally attacked by Vecna in Eddie’s trailer and murdered in a harrowing manner. Her death is sudden and even though her character is short-lived, she was able to become a fan favorite.
5. Alexei
Alexei is a Russian scientist introduced in the third season of Stranger Things, who was the atypical Russian as seen in pop culture. He therefore quickly became a fan favorite. Even though he was introduced as an enemy who worked with the Russians on the Soviet Union project, which wanted to open a portal to the Upside Down, he progressively shows his kind and simple side, as he is oblivious to the manipulations by his government.
He is captured by Jim and Joyce and begins to help the both of them to uncover the Russians' plan. He even develops a close bond with Murray, who teases him. His death is sudden and tragic as he was simply enjoying himself at the 4th of July Fair, when Grigori arrives and shoots him. As he dies in the arms of Murray, his loss is emotional, as he had finally begun to enjoy freedom. His death was therefore painful.
6. Benny Hammond
Introduced in one of the first few scenes of the first season of Stranger Things, Benny is a short-lived but loveable and honorable character. He is the owner of a diner where Eleven comes by and decides to seek refuge. Benny asks no questions of her and kindly offers her food and shelter. He even calls the social services to enquire about her death, which tragically results in his death.
His death reveals the extent to which the Hawkins National Laboratory poses a threat to the residents of Hawkins as Benny called a social worker, but a woman from the lab ends up at his diner posing as one. She shoots Benny to recapture Eleven who has run away from the lab and poor Benny has to pay the price. His death is one of the first deaths to occur in the show, which is tragic and sudden.
7. Billy Hargrove
Billy is introduced as Max’s stepbrother in the second season of Stranger Things. His initial impressions are not good as he is an arrogant and verbally abusive brother to Max. However, it is progressively revealed that he is the way he is because of his mother’s death. He has a smaller role in season 2, which turns into a full-fledged role in season 3.
In season 3, he becomes controlled by the Mind Flayer and becomes his vessel, causing death and destruction wherever he goes. Even though he becomes the main villain of the season, he still has a sensitive heart within. His death is tragic as he sacrifices himself for El, who was the first person who showed him kindness since his mother’s death. His death is also a big loss to Max. Fans of the series still remember him for his iconic performance.
8. Agent Harmon
Most of the characters in Stranger Things, who got killed, were characters who had shown integrity, even though they were barely introduced to the audiences. This made their death even more tragic and memorable. One such character seen in the fourth season of the show is Agent Harmon. He is assigned as Mike and Will’s bodyguard by Owens after Eleven goes for the Nina Project. He is initially shown as the stereotypical police officer who is lazy and disinterested.
However, when Will and Mike are attacked by Lt. Colonel Sullivan’s soldiers, who enter the safehouse and begin to shoot indiscriminately, Harmon springs into action, and along with his colleague Wallace, the two give a memorable performance. Sadly, Harmon gets a fatal wound and tries his best to keep the boys safe till his last breath, even guiding them to locate Eleven. His death is therefore tragic.
9. Sam Owens
Sam is introduced in the second season of Stranger Things and initially, he is seen as an enemy as he is a high-ranking official at the Hawkins lab. However, he is believed to be dead at the start of the fourth season, until he makes a comeback. He is different from Brenner as the new director at the lab, as he is remorseful over what happened considering the events of the upside down.
He is one character who begins as a morally gray character, but soon becomes a fan favorite with his desire to undo past mistakes. He tries to help the kids, especially Will, who was directly harmed by the events at the lab, and tries to get Eleven to participate in the Nina project. He even keeps Mike, Will, and Eleven safe from the attack by Colonel Sullivan and his men. His death is assumed as the lab facility is destroyed by the military and he is last seen to be chained in a room, unable to leave.
10. The Other Numbers
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In the fourth season of Stranger Things, viewers get a detailed look into the illegal project and experiments run by Dr. Brenner at the Hawkins National Laboratory. It is shown that Brenner led the MKULtra project after he discovered psychic abilities in Henry Creel, who is One, who is Vecna. The doctor tries to forcefully replicate his powers in other children through experimental drugs and strict training sessions.
But their end is gruesome and even more tragic as they were little children who got killed for no fault of theirs. When Eleven mistakenly frees One, he attacks the scientists and the subjects at the lab. The scene where Eleven sees the bodies of the little children strewn across the floor of the lab, is heartbreaking. Their death is one of the most tragic endings in the series.
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