Summary
The news thatStranger Thingsseason 5 has cast Nell Fisher could be troubling after the young actor’s earlier appearance in a classic horror franchise’s recent reboot. Since the series began,Stranger Thingshas always worn the show’s ‘80s nostalgia on its sleeve. Influenced by the works of Steven Spielberg and Stephen King in equal measure, the small-town sci-fi mystery series blends elements from Amblin adventure movies, body horrors, and coming-of-age comedies in its uniquely ‘80s-inspired plot. By the looks of things, the show’s final outing, theupcomingStranger Thingsseason 5, will be no different.
One horror franchise that has repeatedly been referenced throughout the series is the quintessentially ‘80sEvil Deadmovies.Stranger Thingsseason 4’s villain Vecnaresembled a lot of classic slasher villains, but the cabin in the woods where Will’s season 2 exorcism took place was specifically reminiscent ofThe Evil Dead’s setting. The deer head mounted on a cabin wall inseason 3 was another nod to the series, as wasThe Evil Deadposter hanging on Jonathan’s wall back in season 1. Finally, the camerawork in season 1 borrowed from the franchise’s uniquely kinetic filming style.
Both Stranger Things and The ‘80s Horror Reboot Feature Possessions
All of this is fun for viewers of the series, but it might not bode well for one recurring character.Mike and Nancy’s little sister, Holly Wheeler, has been recast asEvil Dead Risestar Nell Fisher in season 5, with the 13-year-old taking over from twins Tinsley and Anniston Price. Fisher’s Holly is a prime candidate for an attack by Vecna, and the fact that herEvil Dead Risecharacter was one of only two to avoid possession or death seems to bode badly in this regard. After all,Stranger Thingshas a history of subverting casting expectations.
Stranger Thingsseason 2 cleverly castAliensvillain Paul Reiseras a surprisingly heroic figure before castingThe Princess Bride’s hero Cary Elwes as a scummy, corrupt mayor in season 3. Clearly, the series is invested in keeping viewers guessing by casting actors in roles that subvert their earlier parts. Since Fisher recently starred inEvil Dead Riseand hers was one of only two characters to emerge from the movie alive and intact, it seems like a foregone conclusion that Holly Wheeler won’t be so fortunate. To make matters worse, everything else about Holly’s role also points to doom.
Things Don’t Look Good For Holly Wheeler In Stranger Things Season 5
Stranger Things Often Centers Characters Before Killing Them
Fisher’s role in a high-profile movie franchise means that Holly is likely to play a bigger role than ever before in season 5. A lot ofStranger Thingsseason 5 charactersare in danger of dying, but Holly needs to be particularly careful since she has been largely relegated to the background of the series until now. From season 2’s Bob to season 3’s Billy to season 4’s Eddie, generally, supporting characters who suddenly get more story focus are doomed to die a tragic death in their respective season’s finale.
Killing off Holly would mean killing a close relative of Nancy and Mike while simultaneously allowingStranger Thingsto avoid getting rid of a fan favorite character.
Holly Wheeler is likely to die inStranger Thingsseason 5since this allows the show to artificially inflate its stakes. Killing off Holly would mean killing a close relative of Nancy and Mike while simultaneously allowingStranger Thingsto avoid getting rid of a fan favorite character. Holly’s death would be uniquely devastating since she is a child, but it would also not have too much of an impact on the show’s existing cast chemistry since she hasn’t been a big part of the series until now. This cynical maneuver would makeStranger Thingsseason 5 seem uniquely dark.
Stranger Things Season 5 Really Shouldn’t Kill Off Holly Wheeler
Mike and Nancy’s Sister Dying Would Be Too Dark
However,Stranger Thingsseason 5 can’t pull off Holly’s death,considering evenEvil Dead Risecouldn’t bring itself to kill the young actor’s character. Even for the final season, which is set to have higher stakes than ever before, killing off a child as young as Holly would be way too bleak. Furthermore, even if season 5 does offer Holly more screen time, dwelling on her death would likely lead viewers to realize that Nancy and Mike have never shown much interest in their younger sister before now.
IfStranger Thingsseason 5’s Holly Wheelerwas one of Vecna’s victims, this would make Mike and Nancy’s relationship drama with Eleven, Jonathan, and Steve seem inconsequential in contrast. It would be tough for the Wheelers to care about their love lives if they lost their little sister and, even at its darkest,Stranger Thingsisn’t well suited to themes as bleak as child death. There is a reason that season 1’s apparent Will Byers death turned out to be a fake-out, andStranger Thingsseason 5 should remember this when planning Holly Wheeler’s subplot.
