Where’s Steve? ‘Stranger Things’ fans panic over season 5 trailer absence

Fans are worried Steve Harrington might die in ‘Stranger Things’ season 5 after barely appearing in the new trailer

The newly released trailer for Stranger Things season 5 has sparked a wave of panic among fans after eagle-eyed viewers noticed something strange, Steve Harrington is barely in it. The brief teaser, which sets up the final showdown between the Hawkins gang and Vecna, features emotional reunions, chaos in the Upside Down and glimpses of every main character except, notably, Steve.

Played by Joe Keery, Steve has been one of the most beloved characters since the show’s debut, earning fan-favourite status through his transformation from arrogant jock to protective hero. His limited screen time in the trailer immediately set off alarm bells online, with many fearing that his absence hints at a grim fate.

Comments quickly flooded social media, especially on Reddit and YouTube, where fans voiced their concerns. One wrote, “The lack of Steve in this trailer concerns me,” while another added, “Don’t you dare touch my Steve like you did with our rock star last season,” referencing Eddie Munson’s emotional death in season four. A third user analysed every frame, pointing out that Dustin is seen driving Steve’s car and that Nancy appears with blood on her hands, calling it “not looking good for my boy.”

While some fans believe Steve might die in the final season, others think the trailer could be intentionally misleading. A few hopeful theories even suggest he could fake his own death as part of a plan to defeat Vecna once and for all.

The Duffer brothers have not addressed the speculation, but they have confirmed that season five will finally reveal the truth about the Upside Down and bring every major storyline to a close. They also confirmed that Eddie Munson will not return, crushing fan theories about his possible resurrection.

As the countdown to the November 26 premiere continues, fans are both excited and anxious. Whether Steve lives or dies, his absence from the trailer has made one thing clear: Stranger Things fans are not ready to say goodbye to Hawkins’ favourite babysitter.