As fans eagerly await Stranger Things season 5, speculation runs rampant about who might fall victim to Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower) next. With the Upside Down bleeding into Hawkins and beloved characters grappling with trauma, the stakes are higher than ever for Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) and her crew. While many expect Mike or Will to be Vecna’s next target, clues suggest Dustin (Gaten Matarazzo) might be the villain’s perfect prey—and it could even lead to a haunting return of Eddie Munson (Joseph Quinn).
Dustin’s grief over Eddie’s death in season 4 makes him an ideal candidate for Vecna’s psychological torment. Eddie, who sacrificed himself heroically in the Upside Down, left Dustin heartbroken, especially since they couldn’t bring his body back to clear his name. Matarazzo has teased that Dustin will still be the lovable character fans know, but his unresolved grief and guilt will be palpable in season 5.
Vecna thrives on exploiting his victims’ pain and trauma, and Dustin’s heartbreak offers fertile ground for manipulation. While targeting Mike or Will might feel too predictable, focusing on Dustin could deliver a more shocking and emotionally charged storyline.
Bringing Eddie back through Vecna’s visions could further amplify the tension. In season 4, Vecna weaponized vivid hallucinations to torment his victims, as seen when Nancy was forced to witness the deaths of her family. Similarly, Vecna could use Dustin’s memories of Eddie to haunt him, twisting their bond into a nightmare. This approach would allow Eddie to return without undoing his impactful death, adding emotional weight to the narrative.
As Stranger Things heads toward its dramatic conclusion, season 5 promises to be the darkest chapter yet. Whether Dustin can survive Vecna’s grasp—or if Eddie’s spectral presence will help or hinder him—remains to be seen. Fans will have to brace themselves for what might be the show’s most devastating season yet.
