Stranger Things Season 4 cannot come fast enough for fans. While there still aren’t any concrete details about happenings in Hawkins, Indiana, that has not stopped people from sleuthing around and predicting what might occur when the show finally releases on Netflix. Through three seasons, the show has avoided any major characters dying, but that might be about to change in Season 4.
Some new set photos released on Twitter by Stranger Things 4 and Stranger Things Filming could be premonitions of bad things to come. The photos show some of the cast and crew filming at a church and attending a funeral at a cemetery, so it is quite possible that someone might meet their demise. Given that this season is supposed to be darker and scarier than its three predecessors, it only makes sense that someone needs to die to raise the stakes in the now two-fronted war with the Upside Down and the Russians. The only question is whose funeral is in the set photos.
Hopper or Billy
One of these two might be the most straightforward answer for whose funeral is shown. Stranger Things' Season 3 ending with Billy sacrificing himself to the rat-monster-Mind-Flayer-thing to save Eleven. Similarly, Hopper, as far as characters in the show know, also sacrificed himself at the end of Season 3 to destroy the Russian machine and prevent them from drilling into the Upside Down. Suppose the photos end up being from early in the season. In that case, the funeral could be a way of transitioning between seasons, allowing the characters to mourn the deaths of people from last season.
Eleven
While it’s not likely that Eleven will die, it’s worth considering the possibility and the evidence. She lost her powers after the latest encounter with the Mind Flayer, so she is vulnerable. Also, from the back, one of the people attending the funeral looks an awful lot like Dr. Brenner, who is rumored to be making a comeback this season. Of course, he would attend the funeral for his prized test subject. On top of that, some of Brenner’s other test subjects could be making appearances in Season 4 to possibly replace Eleven’s character and take Stranger Things in an entirely new direction.
Mike, Will, Dustin, Lucas or Max
These characters are the heart of the show, so it’s not likely that any of them will die. However, it can't be ruled out. Of the five, Mike is probably the most likely candidate to meet his demise. Rumors of his death have been flying around for years because of his connection with Eleven. He might sacrifice himself to save her while she is powerless, or his death might even be a catalyst for Eleven to regain her powers. But let’s be real, fans might riot if Mike dies before “Mileven” can officially happen.
Steve Harrington
This is where things start to become a real possibility because Jonathan and Nancy are looking at a paper and investigating something while the funeral is happening. Given their close affiliation with Steve over the first three seasons, it stands to reason that they would be the most invested if something were to happen to him. His death would also considerably darken the season by causing the right amount of panic from fans while not upsetting them too much. It would be a nice clincher for his character arc on the way from total jerk to sacrificial hero.
Joyce Byers
Joyce might be the most probable candidate to die in Season 4, and there is some evidence to back it up. She was a mess after Hopper “died” and might be willing to do something rash to save someone just like he did. However, the biggest proof was pointed out by a Twitter user who states that Joyce’s opportunistic ex-husband Lonnie is confirmed to be in Season 4. He only seems to show up when something bad happens, like Will’s “funeral” in Season 1 or when he has something to gain. So, Joyce’s death could very well be the reason for Lonnie coming around. It would also give Jonathan, Will and Eleven a reason to move back to Hawkins.
Created by the Duffer Brothers, Stranger Things stars Winona Ryder, Millie Bobby Brown, David Harbour, Finn Wolfhard, Gaten Matarazzo, Caleb McLaughlin, Noah Schnapp, Natalia Dyer, Charlie Heaton, Joe Keery, Priah Ferguson, Cary Elwes, Jake Busey, Maya Thurman-Hawke and Levon Thurman-Hawke. Season 4 has yet to receive a release date.