Stranger Things is preparing for its fifth and final season, and a recent tease about Mike’s (Finn Wolfhard) fate makes me worry about an Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) theory coming true. Despite still having many mysteries to solve and questions to answer, Stranger Things is ending with its fifth season, which is expected to be very emotional and potentially tragic. At the time of writing, plot details about Stranger Things season 5 are unknown, but Eleven going missing has been teased, as well as Vecna’s potential next target.

At the end of Stranger Things season 4, Max was left in a coma after her encounter with Vecna, which set his plan into motion. An earthquake opened mᴀssive cracks across Hawkins through which the Upside Down began to bleed into the human world. This left Eleven and the Hawkins crew shocked and without a plan, so season 5 will see the consequences of the Upside Down’s takeover. With a lot going on in Hawkins and the Upside Down, Stranger Things has to make sure to give closure to each character’s story, but a tease about Mike’s ending is worrying.

Finn Wolfhard Is Sad & Confused About Mike’s Ending In Stranger Things Season 5

Finn Wolfhard Has All The Emotions Regarding Mike’s Stranger Things Ending

Without revealing much (or anything, really), the cast of Stranger Things season 5 has shared their thoughts and feelings on the show’s ending and their characters’ stories. Most recently, Finn Wolfhard shared his feelings on Mike’s ending, and he has some conflicting emotions. Speaking to People, Wolfhard shared he’s happy with Mike’s ending and is satisfied, but he’s also “very confused and sad.” While it’s an understandable mix of emotions after years of playing Mike Wheeler, it’s also a curious mix when it comes to Mike’s ending.

With no actual plot details about Stranger Things season 5 revealed yet, the only teases of the story there have been are those from leaked set pH๏τos and the vague hints the cast has been able to share. Wolfhard’s “confused and sad” reaction to Mike’s and the show’s ending takes me back to a specific batch of set pH๏τos that were leaked in late 2024, starring Mike and David Harbour’s Hopper. In these pics, Hopper and a visibly upset Mike are sitting on a bench, reportedly in front of the Hawkins Memorial.

Hopper is seen comforting Mike before leaving, with Mike staying there, looking at the memorial. This further sparked theories about Eleven’s possible demise in Stranger Things season 5, and Wolfhard’s comments make me worry about it coming true. Even though it’s possible that Hopper is comforting Mike for other reasons, such as the death of one of his friends, one of his parents, breaking up with Eleven, or simply the trauma of everything, Wolfhard’s comments fit with the popular belief that Eleven won’t survive Stranger Things season 5.

Why Stranger Things Season 5 Is Rumored To Kill Eleven

Could Stranger Things End With Eleven’s Death?

Although there are different characters who could die in Stranger Things season 5, Eleven is at the top of the list. It’s thanks to Eleven that the events of the show kick off, as her direct contact with the Demogorgon is what opened the first gate in season 1. Eleven was thought to have died at the end of Stranger Things season 1, but she was revealed to be alive and well at the beginning of season 2. Since then, Eleven has continued to be the one who directly confronts the Demogorgon, Mind Flayer, and Vecna, thanks to her powers.

Given how she has risked her own life throughout Stranger Things to keep her friends and family safe, it’s not completely crazy to think that Eleven could die in season 5. It’s easy to picture Eleven sacrificing herself to save Hawkins if that’s what it takes to defeat Vecna and close the gates for good, so as heartbreaking as it would be, it would make sense for Eleven to die. However, Eleven’s death would be an obvious ending for Stranger Things, unless she fakes her death to finally (and safely) live a peaceful life.

What Could Mike’s Sad & Confusing Ending Be (Without Killing Eleven)?

Stranger Things Season 5 Might Be A Bittersweet Ending

If not Eleven’s death and Mike’s heart breaking into a million pieces, there are other possible sad and confusing endings for Mike. Other set pH๏τos have teased Vecna targeting Mike and Nancy’s youngest sister, Holly, so Mike could be about to face a major family tragedy. Another possibility, as mentioned above, is the death of one of Mike’s best friends, with the most popular candidates being Will and Dustin.

It could also be that Mike and his family will leave Hawkins at the end of Stranger Things, which would definitely be a sad and confusing ending for him as he grew up there, went through a lot with his friends and Eleven in Hawkins, and now he’s leaving. This would be even sadder for Mike if Eleven is still alive, as they would have to break up. Mike’s sad and confusing ending could mean many things, but hopefully, it’s not a tease about Eleven’s death in Stranger Things season 5.

Source: People.