The Duffer Brothers are known for being somewhat ruthless when it comes to character deaths in stranger things. First Barb, then Joyce’s BF Bob Newby, Alexei, Billy Hargrove, Chrissy Cunningham, Fred Benson, Patrick McKinney, Dr Brenner and Eddie Munson (💔). It’s a long list – but one actor isn’t entirely convinced he’s gone for good.
Dr. Martin Brenner, aka Dad, has played a vital role in the sci-fi series since season one. While he hasn’t been present for every installment, he has long been the main antagonist and an integral faction in Eleven’s story and the Upside Down’s origin. In episode eight of stranger things 4he is shot by the military after invading the secret lab where he and Dr. Owens were building Project Nina.
Dr. Brenner is presumed dead, but Matthew Modine – who portrayed the evil genius – thinks there’s a chance his character will return to redeem himself in Season 5. In an interview with Vulturehe explains why he doesn’t want to say he’s dead.
“Three things seem curious to me: how did he survive the Demogorgon? How did he survive One? “, he said. “And when Eleven tries to use her power against Dr. Brenner after blowing three guards into the air, he unflinchingly counters her and says, ‘You didn’t think it was going to be this easy, did you. not? She couldn’t get it to work on him. Is there something more to Brenner than meets the eye?
When the interviewer questioned whether or not Brenner had supernatural powers, much like Eleven and the other Hawkins Lab kids, Modine replied, “Yeah. I don’t want to believe it’s over, because I love the Duffers.
Her sentiments align with a previous interview with men’s health. When asked to confirm whether or not his character is dead, he replied, “I wish I had an answer to that. The Duffer Brothers asked that question and said, ‘Brenner is no longer with us. “Does that mean he’s dead? I don’t know.”
“The fascinating thing about Brenner is not only that he survived the Demogorgon, but he also survived the 001 attack,” he added. “He and Eleven were the only ones alive after this attack. It wasn’t just about surviving a monster; he survived for a second.
If Brenner were to return to Hawkins, Modine believes he would have to face the cruelties he imposed on Eleven and the other lab kids for years. He really should own up to his bad ways and ask forgiveness from El and the only other known living child, Kali.
“…The horror of what Brenner did is to come to terms with and understand his guilt in the deaths of all those children because of what One did,” Modine said. Vulture. “So if Eleven and Kali, or just Eleven, forgave him and sent him away, he would spend the remaining days of his life knowing he was forgiven but accepting responsibility for what he had done.”
It remains to be seen what Brenner’s fate is, so we’ll have to look forward to Season 5 of stranger things drops on Netflix. But, ahem, Duffer Brothers, if you’re reading this – while we’re tossing around the idea of characters coming back from the dead… what about Eddie Munson?
Leah Campano is associate editor at Seventeen, where she covers pop culture, entertainment news, health and politics. On weekends you can probably find her watching vintage marathons real housewives episodes or in search of the best almond croissants in New York.