'Stranger Things 5' Volume 2, Who is the Deceased? 'Calm Before the Finale'

The highly anticipated Netflix 'Stranger Things' Season 5 Volume 2 was released on the 25th as a Christmas gift. Although the 'death of a major character' that fans feared has not yet occurred, the tension is at its peak with the finale approaching on the 31st.

Major foreign media outlets like Primetimer reported in their analysis of this Volume 2 that "contrary to expectations of major deaths, all of Hawkins' group survived in episodes 5-7." However, the prevailing analysis is that this is merely the calm before the storm to maximize the tragedy of the finale.

◆ Kali Returns, and Holly is Kidnapped

The key themes of this Volume 2 were 'reunion' and 'crisis'. Kali (Kali/008), who had disappeared since Season 2, returned to join Eleven and Hopper, strengthening their forces. However, in the shocking turn of events in the ending of episode 7, Vecna (Henry Creel) kidnaps Mike's sister Holly Wheeler, putting Hawkins' group in the worst crisis. Vecna revealed his plot to completely merge the real world with the Upside Down using the children.

◆ Will Steve Harrington Ultimately Sacrifice?

The fate of Steve Harrington, who is considered the top candidate for death, remains precarious. In this episode, he acknowledges to his best friend Dustin that "Eddie saved us" and shares a solemn vow, "You die, I die". Fans interpret this line as a typical 'death flag', predicting a very high possibility that he will sacrifice himself for Dustin or Nancy in the final episode to be released on the 31st.

◆ The Real Ending is 'December 31'

The final episode (Episode 8) 'The Rightside Up' that will conclude the epic of 'Stranger Things' will be released on December 31. With a runtime equivalent to that of a movie, all eyes are on who will survive and who will leave on the last day of 2025.