A Subtle Tribute to a Fallen Hero in Stranger Things You May Have Missed in the Final Episode

Warning: This article contains spoilers for Seasons 4 and 5 of Stranger Things.

As Stranger Things draws closer to its emotional conclusion, fans have been revisiting the series’ most heartbreaking moments — and few losses have resonated as deeply as that of Eddie Munson. While his heroic death occurred at the end of Season 4, the show quietly honored his legacy in the final season through a subtle but powerful tribute that many viewers may have overlooked.

Eddie Munson, portrayed by Joseph Quinn, quickly became a fan favorite thanks to his rebellious charm, fierce loyalty, and unapologetic individuality. In Season 4, Eddie joins the group in a desperate mission to stop Vecna by entering the Upside Down. While Max lures Vecna at the Creel House and Nancy, Steve, and Robin attempt to attack his physical form, Eddie takes on a crucial role of his own.

Standing atop the Upside Down version of his trailer, Eddie plays an electrifying guitar solo at full volume to draw away a swarm of Demobats. Although he initially plans to escape with Dustin, Eddie realizes the others need more time. In a final act of self-sacrifice, he stays behind to distract the creatures, ultimately dying from his injuries in Dustin’s arms — a moment widely regarded as one of the most emotional scenes in the series. According to The Guardian, Eddie’s death cemented him as “one of the most tragic and heroic figures in modern television fantasy.”

Unsurprisingly, both Dustin and fans around the world were devastated by Eddie’s loss. In Season 5, Dustin continues to honor his fallen friend by wearing the Hellfire Club T-shirt to school, keeping Eddie’s spirit alive in everyday moments. However, the most meaningful tribute appears during Dustin’s graduation speech — a scene rich with emotional subtext.

Earlier in Season 4, Eddie jokingly spoke about his own graduation fantasy: grabbing his diploma, flipping off the principal, and running for his life. Eddie never lived to see that day, but Dustin made sure his friend’s wish was fulfilled. During his unconventional graduation speech, Dustin tears up his diploma and raises his middle finger toward Principal Higgins — a small but deeply symbolic gesture.

Speaking to Netflix Tudum, co-creator Ross Duffer confirmed that the moment was directly inspired by Eddie. “A lot of the speech was inspired by Eddie — even the ending, where Dustin rips up the diploma and flips off the principal,” Ross explained. “That was something Eddie explicitly said he wanted to do. The speech is really about honoring Eddie and what the Hellfire Club stood for.”

Matt Duffer added that the Hellfire Club represented one of the show’s core themes: outsiders finding strength through unity. “It’s about misfits and outcasts coming together, embracing what makes them different, and using that to fight the darkness in the world,” he said. This sentiment echoes what Variety has described as Stranger Things’ “emotional backbone — friendship as survival.”

Despite ongoing fan theories, hopes of Eddie’s return were firmly put to rest. In an interview with Empire, Matt Duffer confirmed that Eddie will not appear in Season 5. “I love that Joe Quinn keeps teasing people, but no — Eddie is dead,” he said bluntly. “Joe’s incredibly busy now, and Eddie is very much gone.”

Indeed, Joseph Quinn’s career has skyrocketed since Stranger Things. He has since been cast in major projects including Fantastic Four, Ridley Scott’s Gladiator II, and Sam Mendes’ upcoming The Beatles biopic, where he will portray George Harrison — a transition IMDb describes as “one of the fastest ascents from cult TV star to Hollywood heavyweight.”

As for the series finale, the Duffer Brothers have promised an ending that is both epic and deeply emotional. In a Variety interview, they revealed they studied finales such as The Sopranos, Six Feet Under, and Friday Night Lights to shape the tone of their conclusion. “We’ve known how the show would end for years,” Matt Duffer said. “It’s not something we had to force.”

Ultimately, Eddie Munson’s legacy lives on — not through resurrection, but through memory, symbolism, and the characters he inspired. His quiet tribute in Dustin’s graduation speech serves as a reminder that Stranger Things has never been just about monsters and alternate dimensions, but about the power of friendship, sacrifice, and staying true to who you are.

And if you felt a lump in your throat during that scene — you weren’t alone.