In Stranger Things, women are not damsels in distress, but quite the opposite! They are fierce, intelligent, and strong, and if there’s one thing that the Duffer brothers have consistently done well in the show, it’s writing better and admirable female characters.
They are also complex, figuring life out, and not just a catalyst for some male protagonist’s growth. So here’s our ranking of the best women and girls in Stranger Things, and honestly, almost all of them are lovable!
10. Kali Prasad
Maybe the tide will shift after the finale, but due to the 7th episode of Season 5, vol. 2, Kali Prasad remains at the bottom of the list, solely because she is trying to convince Eleven to sacrifice herself. Eleven thinks of her as a sister, but Kali is pushy and a bit sketchy because you cannot really understand her motivations as a character.
Kali’s powers are nonetheless amazing, but her whole arc in season 2, and the way it was abandoned until season 5, makes it difficult for the viewers to find her likable, and most of us can understand Hopper’s frustration with her.
9. Suzie Bingham
A still from Stranger Things | Credits: Netflix
The highlight of season 3’s finale was Dustin and Suzie singing Never Ending Story! At first, most believe that Dustin is likely lying about having a long-distance girlfriend, until this perfect reveal. Though she has less screen time, she is easily one of the smartest characters on the show.
She’s basically a computer wizard, and in season 4, Suzie helps Will, Mike, Jonathan, and Argyle track down a secret government location with nothing but a phone number. It’s sad that we don’t have enough of Dustin and Suzie moments, because fans would love to see more of that!
8. Holly Wheeler
A still from Stranger Things | Credits: Netflix
Holly was just a background character in the first few seasons of Stranger Things. She is the youngest Wheeler child, but if you go back to her previous appearances, you’d see that she somehow always spotted the things that appeared odd, like the blinking lights in Joyce’s house or the moving trees as she sat on a giant wheel ride.
In season 5, Holly is a lot more significant to the plot because she’s taken by Vecna. She finds Max, helps her find a way out, fights the kids, and tries to escape, but is unfortunately captured again.
7. Karen Wheeler
A still from Stranger Things | Credits: Netflix
Karen Wheeler was introduced as a typical suburban wife in season 1, but now that season 5 has rolled out, she’s turned into a total badass! Before her demo-destroying arc, we saw her little stint with Billy, but we know how that ended. In Season 5, she’s more dynamic and into the action!
First, she tries to save Holly from a demogorgon using a broken wine bottle, though she has no concept of what that monster is. Then at the hospital, she limps her way to the washing machine, throws in an oxygen tank, blows up the demodogs, and takes down three of them at once!
6. Joyce Byers
A still from Stranger Things | Credits: Netflix
Winona Ryder as Joyce was so convincing as an unheard mother in the first season because you had to watch her helplessly explain to people that she’s not crazy and her child is, in fact, trying to communicate with her through lights! Though almost no one believed her, she stood her ground!
She has been protective of Will, but did not turn away from difficult moments like tying him up around heaters to exorcise the Mind Flayer. Joyce also went to Russia to find Hopper, fighting off their army and a traitor pilot. Plus, don’t you just love it when she lectures and yells at people to straighten them up?
5. Robin Buckley
A still from Stranger Things | Credits: Netflix
Robin Buckley was such a great addition to season 3. Maya Hawke’s Robin is smart, witty, awkward, and completely in her feels! Her chemistry with Steve Harrington is beautiful, and her being queer makes it even better.
She figured out the Russian code, convinced the psych ward professor to allow them a visit to Victor Creel, and instantly recognized Will’s dilemma. Let’s not forget that it was Robin’s words that led to Will’s journey of self-acceptance, as they played in his head when he unlocked his powers to snap the demogorgons like twigs.
4. Nancy Wheeler
A still from Stranger Things | Credits: Netflix
Nancy Wheeler had some boy problems, yes, but she never missed a target with her guns. She’s shot demogorgons, military men, and Vecna himself. One of the most satisfying moments was when she knocked out Bruce (who was controlled by the Mind Flayer) and saved Jonathan.
We also found the Creel house, thanks to her, because Nancy was able to piece it all together through Max’s scribbles. But the most wholesome thing she ever did was ask Dustin to dance with her when he was crying alone, which shows just how much of a beautiful and warm person she is.
3. Max Mayfield
A still from Stranger Things | Credits: Netflix
Max had one of the best character introductions with the whole arcade game and Madmax thing. She listens to cool music while skateboarding and isn’t afraid to be herself. Max is the first female friend that Eleven ever makes outside the Hawkins lab, and watching them be together is such a delight.
Max teaches Eleven that there’s more to life than boys and truly helps her understand what she likes and dislikes. Her chemistry with Lucas is so beautiful, and they’re easily the best couple on the show. Max is also self-sacrificial because she did not hesitate to become bait for Vecna, though she knew he was dangerous.
2. Erica Sinclair
A still from Stranger Things | Credits: Netflix
Erica Sinclair was only Lucas’ young sister to us in the first two seasons, but she stole almost every scene! Priah Ferguson is such an excellent actress because Erica is convincingly smart, savage, and resourceful.
Her one-liners like “I’m ten, you bald b*stard,” and “There’s no America without Erica,” are fan favorite moments that have blown up all over the internet. It’s great to see that she is more present in the later seasons, but we wish she had more screen time because her sass alone can take down Vecna!
1. Eleven
A still from Stranger Things | Credits: Netflix
Eleven has superpowers and such an endearing temperament. She struggles the most in the show due to all the childhood trauma and exploitation, but finds strength through her friendships, love, and Hopper.
Every moment when she’s used her powers to save someone, destroyed or floated an object has been cool. Some fan favorites are when she flips a van, brings down a helicopter, fights the Mind Flayer, closes the gate, and defeats demogorgons.
But it’s not just her powers that make Eleven a loving character. Seeing her struggle to fit in, barely speak in full sentences, and still have faith and hope for the future is beautiful to witness. In the Stranger Things finale, she might be one of the characters who won’t make it, but let’s hope the Duffer brothers don’t go down that road.
Here’s an overview of the show:
TitleStranger ThingsCreatorsThe Duffer BrothersMain castMillie Bobby Brown, Finn Wolfhard, Noah Schnapp, Winona Ryder, David Harbour, Gaten Matarazzo, Caleb McLaughlin, Sadie Sink, Natalia Dyer, Charlie Heaton, Maya HawkeJoe Keery, Matthew Modine, Cara BuonoNo. of Seasons5NetworkNetflixIMDb8.6/10Rotten Tomatoes90%
So, that’s how we’d rank the female characters of Stranger Things. With only a finale episode left, maybe it would need a bit of shuffling. But what does your list look like? And do you agree with our ranking?
Stranger Things is currently streaming on Netflix (USA).
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
