Warning: Contains spoilers for Stranger Things season 4, vol 1.
Unlike a lot of the slasher movies that inspired the season’s gory story, Stranger Things season 4 really knows how to make a character death sting. While slasher movies are infamous for their inventive kills, they are not as well known for their compelling characters. Since the genre is prone to wiping out its cast one by one and this is an integral part of its appeal, a lot of slasher movies don’t bother with crafting likable, believable characters before working out how to kill them off.
In some cases, this works to the detriment of otherwise worthwhile slasher movies. For example, Friday the 13th's 2009 remake was a fast-paced, funny, and inventive slasher that could have been an effective distillation of the franchise’s enduring appeal, but the lack of likable characters made the otherwise solid effort a letdown for many critics. However, Stranger Things season 4 is almost too good at avoiding this issue.
Like the Fear Street trilogy before it, Stranger Things season 4 really makes sure that viewers like new characters such as Chrissy and Fred before brutally killing them shortly after they are introduced. Where many slasher movies of the 80s (and since) reveled in introducing almost intentionally annoying characters so that viewers wouldn’t be too upset when they bit the dust, Stranger Things season 4 borrows Fear Street’s dark edge and makes a point of humanizing each new cast member before their horrible demise. Even Patrick is the most reasonable and level-headed member of the bullying gang of jocks who patrol Hawkins, making his horrific demise all the more upsetting.
Before they are horribly murdered, Chrissy is set up as a potential love interest with Eddie, while Fred’s needling inquiries into Nancy’s romance with Jonathan make it seem as though he may harbor a crush on her. These misleading character details are enough for viewers to get invested in the new characters, making it undeniably effective when Vecna tears them to pieces by the end of their respective appearances. This approach also means that the prospect of Stranger Things 4 Part 2 killing off Eddie Munson seems possible since the show isn’t overly concerned with offing charming supporting stars.
Ever since Steve’s unexpectedly redemptive character arc proved popular with audiences, Stranger Things has made a point of wrong-footing audiences with misleading character details. Characters like Dr. Owens were established as obvious villains only to turn out to be heroes while, in season 4, Eleven’s apparent ally in Hawkins Lab turned out to be the homicidal monster behind all of Stranger Things season 4’s carnage. Due to the series using tropes and conventions of the horror genre against viewers, it is almost impossible to tell who the show is and is not willing to sacrifice, and the fate of Stranger Things season 4’s stars heading into Part 2 seems up in the air precisely because earlier episodes in the season killed off what looked like new supporting stars. This ruthless storytelling approach allows Stranger Things season 4 to feel more tense and impactful than the average slasher, leaving the viewer unsure who will make it out alive.