Stranger Things Season 5 Episode 4 cast and characters: Here’s who brought the Part 1 finale to life

The fifth and final season of Stranger Things was designed to release in three parts.

Volume 1 has the first four episodes, including Episode 4. It came out on Netflix in late November 2025. The first volume was released on November 26. Netflix set the release for 8:00 p.m. ET. Volume 2 is planned for around December 25. Volume 1 sets up the story, and Volume 2 increases the danger. The December 31 finale is the big finish with plans for a small theater release for the last episode.

Stranger Things Episode 4 is the final episode of Part 1. It is very important because it pushes many stories toward the big fight at the end. Hawkins is now under military lockdown. Eleven is running for her life as government agents are chasing her. The older group of friends are spread out on different missions. These missions will bring them back together for the final battle.

Vecna, the main villain this season, becomes more active. He starts controlling people in stronger ways and targets new victims. Will Byers feels his connection to the Upside Down growing again. This connection becomes a key mystery and also a powerful tool. The episode ends by setting up the huge conflicts that Stranger Things Season 5 must solve or make even bigger.

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Cast and characters in Stranger Things Season 5 Episode 4

Below is a clear list of the main cast and guest cast who appear in Episode 4 of Season 5.

Millie Bobby Brown as Eleven / Jane Hopper

In Stranger Things Episode 4, Eleven is the main character. She is hiding from the military and is part of a rescue mission. Her story shows how much she is willing to risk to stop Vecna. It also shows what she may lose in the fight.

David Harbour as Jim Hopper

Hopper stays close to Eleven. He supports her and helps her. In Episode 4, they face danger from the Upside Down and from the people chasing them. Their mission grows bigger and shows how serious the military threat has become.

Winona Ryder as Joyce Byers

Joyce stays in Hawkins. She deals with Vecna’s new attacks and reacts to the military taking control. She helps protect the next possible targets.

Finn Wolfhard as Mike Wheeler

Mike works with the Hawkins group. They try to learn how Vecna picks victims. They also study how rifts are opening. Mike feels the pressure of secrets and danger.

Gaten Matarazzo as Dustin Henderson

Dustin stays sharp in Stranger Things Episode 4. He helps with plans and tech and keeps the group focused. He pushes the hunt for clues and allies.

Caleb McLaughlin as Lucas Sinclair

Lucas fights with the Hawkins team. Episode 4 shows his loyalty. He steps into danger without hesitation. He reacts fast as Vecna’s plans become clear.

Noah Schnapp as Will Byers

Will becomes crucial in Stranger Things Episode 4. He taps into a deeper telepathic link and feels the Upside Down more strongly. His connection to Vecna turns him into a key player. The episode shows his quiet strength and echoes his early-season trauma.

Sadie Sink as Max Mayfield

Max’s trauma still shapes her story. Episode 4 keeps her emotional stakes high. Old wounds push her forward and hold her back. Her role reminds viewers that past horrors still matter in the final fight.

Natalia Dyer as Nancy Wheeler

Nancy stays focused and sharp. In Episode 4, she reports, investigates, and steps into danger. She helps protect people in Hawkins as tensions and chaos grow. She keeps the grounded, investigative thread alive.

Charlie Heaton as Jonathan Byers

Jonathan works alongside Nancy. He tries to keep others safe during the military lockdown. Episode 4 shows him as steady, calm, and protective. He helps anchor the town-side storyline.

Joe Keery as Steve Harrington

Steve remains brave and hands-on. Stranger Things Episode 4 uses him in key field missions. He offers emotional support to younger characters. He brings heart and grit to the team’s efforts.

Maya Hawke as Robin Buckley

Robin partners closely with Steve. She uses her quick thinking and sharp instincts. Episode 4 gives her both tense and heartfelt moments. She helps guide the group through the rising danger.

Brett Gelman as Murray Bauman

Murray is sharp, loud, and paranoid in all the right ways. Episode 4 uses his conspiracy skills to push the plot forward. He brings key info, quick deductions, and frantic energy.

Priah Ferguson as Erica Sinclair

Erica is bold and fearless. She cuts through panic with attitude and clarity. Episode 4 gives her small but important moments that shake the group awake. She keeps the tone lively and the stakes real.

Jamie Campbell Bower as Vecna / Mr. Whatsit

Vecna returns in full force here. Stranger Things Episode 4 shows him both as the monster and in twisted illusions. He appears in childlike visions and as “Mr. Whatsit,” a creepy figure for a young victim. Bower’s performance is intense and chilling. The prosthetics and acting make Vecna terrifying again. This episode uses him as the core of the horror and the big reveals.

Linda Hamilton as Dr. Kay

Dr. Kay represents the government’s hard edge. In Episode 4, she pushes the military-science agenda forward. She tracks Eleven and studies the threat. She tries to control what she can’t fully understand. Her presence adds pressure on the heroes. She makes their choices harder and the stakes higher.

New and recurring younger characters (Holly Wheeler, Derek Turnbow, and others)

Stranger Things Episode 4 brings in several younger characters. They are new targets for Vecna. Some are returning kids from past seasons. Vecna manipulates them with visions. He uses them to open cracks and rifts. Their scenes add fear. They also add to the sadness, because the danger now reaches children again. This makes the episode feel darker and more tragic.

Selected supporting and guest actors

Episode 4 also uses many small roles. Some appear as townspeople in Hawkins. Some appear as soldiers in the quarantine zone. Others show up in Upside Down sequences. These characters build tension. They help show how big the threat has become. Their short scenes make the world feel fuller and the danger more real.

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Stranger Things Season 5 Episode 4

At the end of Stranger Things Episode 4, titled Sorcerer, Hawkins falls into chaos. The heroes try to rescue people at the “MAC-Z” facility, but their mission fails. The base is overrun by Demogorgons when the Upside Down gates open.

Suddenly, Will Byers’ eyes turn white. He releases a huge telepathic blast. Will, once seen as weak and traumatized, can now control the Demogorgons. And with that, many of Vecna’s minions fall. The group gets a brief moment to catch their breath.

Then the screen goes black. The last image shows Will as a wild card. The danger is far from over.

That cliffhanger at the end of Stranger Things Season 5 Episode 4 changes everything. The group no longer just hides or runs. Will’s new power might be a weapon against Vecna.

At the same time, Vecna’s plan becomes clearer. He is not just killing kids to open gates. Now he is kidnapping children. He uses them as “vessels.”

This makes the final battle darker and more personal. In Episode 5 and beyond, the stakes are higher. Will’s telepathy could help the group fight back. But it also puts him in danger. The heroes may try to rescue the kidnapped children. They may try to stop Vecna’s gates. They must also decide if Will’s power is a help or a risk.