The fourth season of Netflix's beloved Stranger Things has been long awaited. The third season was quite well received, and its famous ending had the internet talking. Unfortunately, not much is known about the upcoming fourth season, and viewers have been left in the dark regarding its storyline. The only information that fans have been given is derived from the brief teasers released throughout the past few months.
As is the case with most teasers, not much information can be gleaned from them. But they also provide just enough info to be tantalizing. Season 4 will hopefully be a great one, and these are some things that fans can expect to see in it.
A Russian Setting
Season 3 ended in a devastating fashion with Hopper seemingly perishing in the climactic explosion. However, it has long been confirmed that Hopper isn't actually dead and that David Harbour is returning for the fourth season. This was confirmed all the way back in February of 2020 with the premiere of the "From Russia with love" teaser.
The teaser depicts a cold and barren Russian setting and a bald Hopper working in some type of military prison camp, perhaps indicating that Russia will be a major setting in the upcoming season.
Much Older Children
Stranger Things has a bit of a child actor problem. Not because the actors are bad (as is often the case with child actors), but because they are now far older than their respective characters. Unless there is some type of time jump to course correct this problem, the disparity will be jarring. The "kids" are now nearing their 20s.
In 2021, Caleb McLaughlin will be 20, Finn Wolfhard, Gaten Matarazzo, and Sadie Sink will be 19, and both Noah Schnapp and Millie Bobby Brown will be 17.
An Injured Eleven
Things aren't looking good for Eleven. El was left in quite a vulnerable state at the end of season three, having lost both her powers and her adoptive father. And now it seems like she is suffering some type of debilitating injury.
Various photos have leaked from the set, one of which shows an injured Eleven being carted off on a stretcher with an oxygen mask placed over her mouth and nose. No one knows what caused this injury, but it will certainly make for some intriguing television!
New Characters
Like any drama, Stranger Things has continuously added new characters to its repertoire. Season 2 added some new fan favorites, including Max and Billy, and season 3 continued this tradition with the likes of Robin and Alexei. Season 4 looks to be no different.
Four new actors have been cast for the series' fourth season, all of whom will be linked to Hawkins High School. This not only confirms the existence of new characters, but the fact that Stranger Things will be returning to its high school setting.
The Return Of Robin
And speaking of Robin, she proved one of the most popular newcomers to the show after debuting in season 3. Played wonderfully by Maya Hawke, the character of Robin earned instant popularity and critical acclaim for her humor, pathos, her LGBTQ+ representation, and the camaraderie she shared with fan-favorite Steve.
It has been confirmed that Hawke is indeed returning for the fourth season, although it's unclear which characters she will be paired with.
A Darker Tone
Stranger Things has fluctuated wildly in terms of tone and atmosphere. The first season was a fantastical tale in the vein of Spielbergian adventure films, the second season ventured into straightforward monster horror, and the third season tended to balance colorful comedy with teen drama and body horror.
While appearing on Jimmy Fallon, Gaten Matarazzo claimed that this season would be "the scariest one", stating, "That's the one thing that I've noticed. I was reading it, I'm like, 'They're going for it this year. That's pretty cool'."
A Glimpse Into The Child Experiments
The first season focused heavily on the child experiments conducted on Eleven and the other children of her kind. The second season continued this subplot, complete with a glimpse into Eleven's biological mother and the subplot involving Eight in Chicago.
However, this was totally dropped for the third season, indicating to fans that the show was moving on. But that doesn't seem to be the case. As the recent "Eleven, are you listening?" teaser proves, the show will be returning to the child experiments of old.
The Return Of Papa
The very same teaser promises the return of Papa, the mysterious gray-haired man who led the child experiments and served as a surrogate father to Eleven. Martin Brenner was seemingly killed at the end of season one, but the second season hinted at his continued survival.
He was nowhere to be seen in season 3, but it looks like he is making a long-awaited return in the fourth. This is likely to be at least partially through flashbacks, as the child experiments that he oversaw have long ceased. Either that, or they've picked up again somewhere else.
Lots Of Violence
In May of 2021, another season 4 teaser was released titled "HNL Control Room". The teaser doesn't offer much in the way of plot information, but its tense and eerie atmosphere promises lots of violence. The teaser depicts a series of staticky televisions that occasionally clear up with images of bloody items.
The items seem to be a part of the same rainbow room depicted in the "Eleven, are you listening?" teaser, only they are covered in splashes of blood. It's clear that these child experiments don't end well.
A 2022 Release
Unfortunately, it seems like the fourth season is still a way off. Filming resumed after the COVID delay in September of 2020, and David Harbour recently revealed to Jimmy Kimmel that filming should wrap in August. That doesn't bode well for the late 2021 release.
Finn Wolfhard seemingly confirmed this disappointing news, insinuating that the fourth season won't be released until 2022. Those hoping for a surprise Halloween release date shouldn't get their hopes up.