Duffer Brothers say ‘Stranger Things 5’ finale shouldn't be compared to ‘GOT’ as they tease potential deaths
As excitement continues to build for the final chapter of 'Stranger Things', speculation around who will, and won't, make it out alive has reached a fever pitch. After nearly a decade on Netflix, the sci-fi phenomenon is preparing to close its story with season 5, and fans are bracing themselves for an ending that could be devastating. The series has never shied away from danger, trauma, or loss, which has fueled widespread belief that the finale may come with a heavy body count. From the Demogorgon to the Mind Flayer to Vecna, each season has raised the stakes, making survival feel increasingly uncertain.
Season 5 intensified that tension even further with the revelation that Eleven shares the same blood as Vecna. This amplifies the sense that something irreversible is coming. Recent seasons have already tested viewers' emotional endurance. Characters like Jim Hopper have endured extreme physical and psychological trauma, while others have willingly placed themselves in harm's way to protect their friends and families. That selflessness has become a defining trait of the series, and it's precisely why many fans believe the finale could result in multiple deaths.
Still, series creators Matt and Ross Duffer are pushing back against the notion that 'Stranger Things' will end in a wave of senseless carnage. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, the Duffer Brothers emphasized that while the finale will be emotional and full of surprises, it won't rely on mass death simply to shock the audience. Matt said, "It's not 'Game of Thrones.' We're not in Westeros. I love 'Game of Thrones', but it’s just a very different type of show than that. There's not going to be a Red Wedding situation. I think some things happen in the finale that are very surprising, but we're not trying to shock or upset anyone."
He added, "I hope by the time people get to the end of the finale that it just feels like there's something inevitable about what happens, and that it doesn't feel painful but feels satisfying. We'll see. But as for Steve's fate. I don't know. I can't say. It would be the next logical step. He keeps getting beaten up more and more. The only way we could take it further is death." The quote offers reassurance while still leaving room for uncertainty, especially regarding longtime fan favorite Steve Harrington (Joe Keery). The Duffers' comments neither confirm nor deny his fate, keeping tension high as the finale approaches.
The creators also expressed concern that fear over potential character deaths could overshadow what they see as the true heart of the series, particularly Eleven's story. Played by Millie Bobby Brown, Eleven has always been the core of 'Stranger Things', and her journey has shaped the entire story. According to the Duffers, the finale is meant to honor that arc rather than distract from it with shock-driven storytelling. Meanwhile, as per ScreenRant, the series finale is set to premiere on Netflix on December 31.
