What Happened to Vickie in Stranger Things Season 5? Did She Die? And Eleven’s Fate Explained

Whether you’ve finished the Stranger Things Season 5 finale or not, you might be wondering what exactly happens to Robin’s (Maya Hawke) girlfriend Vickie (Amybeth McNulty), and a hidden detail might just provide the answer you’re looking for.

After a decade of epic sci-fi storytelling, Stranger Things has wrapped up, concluding the journeys of Mike (Finn Wolfhard), Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown), Dustin (Gaten Matarazzo), Lucas (Caleb McLaughlin), and the rest of the Hawkins gang.

Key Events of Season 5 Volume 2

In the final season, the gang discovers that the Upside Down is actually a portal to the Abyss — the true origin of the monsters and the realm Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower) seeks to merge with the real world.

The intense finale, now streaming on Netflix, culminates in a final confrontation against Vecna, requiring everyone’s help, including Vickie.

Warning: spoilers ahead!

What happened to Vickie in Stranger Things Season 5?

After successfully defeating Vecna and saving the world, Vickie is absent in Season 5 Episode 8, prompting questions about her fate. However, a subtle detail hints that she might still be with Robin.

The ending jumps 18 months into the future, showing Mike and friends graduating from Hawkins High School. Meanwhile, Steve is now a baseball coach, and various characters reunite during a break from college life.

Robin, studying at Smith College in Massachusetts, joins Steve, Nancy, and Jonathan on the radio station roof. They plan to meet monthly to maintain their friendship, with Steve toastfully saying, “To nothing ever keeping us apart.” Robin responds, “Including overbearing significant others,” which fans interpret as a nod to Vickie.

Is Vickie Still With Robin?

Some fans believe Robin refers to Vickie, suggesting they are still together. A Reddit user noted, “She’s still with Robin, implied by her ‘overbearing girlfriend’ line.” Others speculate that, like the other kids, Vickie may have been detained during the chaos at the military base, possibly interrogated, and then released—since she did nothing to warrant further detention beyond being at the station.

Did Vickie Die?

Based on the available information, Vickie definitely did not die during the chaos. When the gang escapes the Upside Down after killing Vecna, Dr. Kay (Linda Hamilton) and the military are waiting on the other side.

Vickie and Max (Sadie Sink) are seen on the sidelines looking worried during the aftermath. However, the show emphasizes that Eleven (El) sacrifices herself at the gateway as a bomb explodes—a pivotal moment leading to her presumed death.

Since we don’t see Vickie’s fate explicitly after that event, it’s presumed that she, along with others, was released once the government lost access to the super-powered beings. If Robin and Vickie are still together, it’s likely they reconnect during holidays or via some other means, perhaps with Vickie working closer to Robin’s college in the future.

Ultimately, their freedom and safety owe a lot to El’s sacrifice.

Eleven’s Fate: Death or Survival?

Eleven’s ending remains one of the most ambiguous aspects of Season 5—and it's intentionally left open to interpretation.

Although she appears to sacrifice herself at the gateway, convincing Dr. Kay and the military that she’s gone, Mike later recounts a different possibility: that El’s death was an illusion crafted by Kali (Linnea Berthelsen) in her final moments to protect her sister and sever the government’s interest in super-powered children.

Mike suggests that El escaped before the explosion and chose to disappear rather than return to Hawkins, haunted by the cycle of experimentation and violence. The series doesn’t definitively confirm either outcome, leaving it up to viewers.

In an interview, Duffer Brothers said they prefer to leave Eleven’s future ambiguous. Ross Duffer stated to Netflix, “she lives on in their hearts, whether that’s real or not.”

Summary

Vickie most likely survived the chaos, possibly still with Robin, but her exact fate remains unconfirmed.
She was probably released from government custody due to her minimal involvement.
Eleven’s fate is ambiguous, with hints she may have survived and chosen to live secretly away from Hawkins and the dangers of her powers.

For more insights into the Upside Down universe, check out our ranking of the best Stranger Things characters and best episodes.