The Epic Breakup: Why Chrissy's Exit from Stranger Things 4 Left Fans Heartbroken

Stranger Things season 4 garnered widespread praise, but it suffered a significant misstep with the character of Chrissy Cunningham (played by Grace Van Dien). While Eddie Munson (Joseph Quinn) won over fans, Chrissy also had a formidable presence in the show despite her limited screen time. Unfortunately, her untimely demise prevented audiences from witnessing more of Van Dien's outstanding performance, which is a real shame. Stranger Things has not shied away from killing off recurring characters in the past, but Chrissy's death feels like a wasted opportunity for the series.

In "Chapter One: The Hellfire Club," the first episode of Stranger Things 4, Chrissy meets her tragic end. Throughout the episode, Chrissy is plagued by eerie visions, ultimately revealed to be the work of Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower). Desperate for stronger drugs than marijuana, she follows Eddie to his trailer, where her hallucinations intensify, showcasing her overbearing mother's control over her. Succumbing to Vecna's curse, Chrissy enters a trance-like state, levitating before Vecna ultimately kills her. This haunting death scene exemplifies Vecna's ability to exploit his victims' traumas.

Stranger Things Killed Chrissy Off Way Too Early

The untimely demise of Chrissy in Stranger Things season 4 left audiences wanting more. While the intention of starting the season with a shocking death is understandable, Chrissy's character had quickly garnered sympathy and had undeniable chemistry with Eddie. Just as viewers were starting to connect with Chrissy, her sudden absence felt premature. The show could have benefited from prolonging her storyline, allowing for further character development and a deeper exploration of her past. The undeniable chemistry between Chrissy and Eddie also deserved more time to shine.

While Chrissy's death served a purpose in advancing the plot, showcasing the beginning of Vecna's reign of terror and creating drama through Jason's transformation into an antagonist, who falsely accuses Eddie of the murder, it could have been delayed. If another character had been killed in the early episodes, the threat of Vecna could still have been effectively established. The impact of Eddie's death was so powerful because he had an entire season to establish his character, and the impact of Chrissy's death could have been amplified with more time spent with her.

The Duffers Have Admitted Chrissy Shouldn't Have Died In Stranger Things

The creators of Stranger Things, Ross and Matt Duffer, have admitted their error regarding Chrissy's character. Initially, they filmed Chrissy's death scene before the drug-dealing scene between her and Eddie in the woods, and were unaware of the remarkable chemistry between Grace Van Dien and Joseph Quinn. Reflecting on the Eddie and Chrissy moment, Matt Duffer expressed, "The scene came alive in a way that was just so beautiful." If they had shot the woods scene earlier, the Duffers could have witnessed the extraordinary chemistry sooner and reconsidered Chrissy's fate, allowing her to survive beyond the first episode.

Thanks to the Duffers' exceptional writing and Grace Van Dien's portrayal, Chrissy quickly became a likable and multi-dimensional character within a single episode of Stranger Things. Although it is too late to rectify the mistake of prematurely killing off Chrissy, the Duffer Brothers recognized their error and appreciated Chrissy's greatness, particularly alongside Eddie. Had Chrissy survived the season or at least lasted a few more episodes before meeting her demise, it is possible that the Duffers and the other Stranger Things writers could have further enhanced her character.

Can Chrissy Return In Stranger Things Season 5?

There is a possibility for Chrissy to make a comeback in Stranger Things season 5. A convincing Eddie theory suggests that he could return as the Dungeons & Dragons character Kas. Kas was once a loyal follower of Vecna before betraying him and attempting to kill him. If Vecna possesses similar powers to Eleven, it is plausible that he can bring the deceased back to life, just like Eleven revived Max Mayfield. Vecna may choose to resurrect one of his previous victims, such as Chrissy, to serve by his side. However, Chrissy could eventually turn against Vecna and join the main characters in their battle against him.

During a TVLine interview, the Duffer brothers mentioned that they will "find something else to do with Grace." This could hint at Chrissy's return in Stranger Things 5, possibly in a flashback or dream sequence. Alternatively, it could mean that they are interested in collaborating with Van Dien on a different project. While it would be exciting to see Chrissy again, it is also understandable if the Duffers decide not to revive her character in Stranger Things 5. Chrissy was a strong character who left a lasting impact even after just one episode, and her untimely demise was a major disappointment in Stranger Things season 4.

Source: Forbes