Does Dustin die in Stranger Things 5 part 1? Dustin's grief leads to bad choices

Warning: Spoilers ahead from Stranger Things season 5.

Stranger Things season 5 has finally kicked off on Netflix, and it’s time for the exciting albeit dreaded moment we’ve all been waiting for. Since season 4 dropped over three years ago, there have been countless theories about what will happen in the final season, including which of our favorite Hawkins heroes might not make it out of the final episodes alive.

The character’s survival that fans have been most concerned about just out of pure fear is of course Steve, but the first volume of season 5 episodes put one of Steve’s closest friends in serious danger. We probably didn’t expect to be worried about Dustin living or dying right out of the gate, but season 5 give us our first taste of a mortality cliffhanger

In the very first episode of Stranger Things 5, Dustin’s life gets left on the line after an unfortunate run-in with his bully Andy and his minions, but does he make it through? Even though Dustin’s attack occurs in episode 1, we don’t receive a status update until the following episode, which is exactly why viewers will be wondering what happened to him.

Dustin doesn't die in Stranger Things 5 part 1

First of all, no — Dustin does not die in Stranger Things 5 part 1. However, he does get significantly injured and banged up after a brutal attack from Andy and his friends. Dustin visits Eddie’s grave and notices that “Burn in Hell” has been written on the headstone in blood. Nearby, Dustin notices the cut up body of Jake the snake, the same snake he hid in Andy’s locker.

Andy and his friends surround Dustin, and both sides start mouthing off at each other. Dustin makes a comment about a defense Eddie used in D&D, which allows Dustin time to spray all of his bullies in the eyes with the cleaning solution he brought to clean up the headstone. But his victory is short-lived as they punch him, throw him to the ground, and kick him. He lies on the ground bloodied and bruised and otherwise looking lifeless. 

For the rest of the episode, we don’t get an update on Dustin’s wellbeing, but the rest of the gang are frustrated that Dustin’s a no-show for the crawl and has gone no contact. In the wake of Eddie’s death the previous year, Dustin’s whole demeanor has shifted, and they assume he’s being flighty when he doesn’t show up. But he was being beaten and attacked.

Dustin doesn’t reappear after the attack until early into episode 2, well after Holly, Karen, and Ted Wheeler are attacked by a demogorgon. Looking worse for the wear, Dustin reunites with the group with his busted-up bike beside him. But he doesn’t admit what happened to his friends, only that he fell off his bike, which is obviously a lie. Steve’s hard on him for missing the crawl and acting weird and not admitting that he screwed up.

Personally, and I don’t know if this will be a hot take, I’m on Dustin’s side here. He was attacked, and would have been had he acted out and sprayed Andy and his friends. It’s not as if he went looking for a fight and provoked one out of nowhere. He was visiting his dead friend’s grave, minding his own business. Sure, he put the snake in Andy’s locker, but beating him senseless was particularly uncalled for. 

Maybe Dustin should take more accountability for his actions (see: fully minding his own business) and remain a devoted part of the team. I can see why Steve has reached a breaking point. He was also worried about his friend. It’s understandable to lash out when you’re overcome with worry. But again, Dustin didn’t ask to be attacked within an inch of his life.

Thankfully, Dustin didn’t die in season 5 part 1, and he and Steve still have a chance to work things out later on in the season. Tensions are still high among their group by the end of episode 4, but they have bigger fish to fry than hurt feelings while in the Upside Down. For now, Dustin’s safe (and so is Steve), but there’s a lot more battles ahead.