The return of an unexpected Stranger Things villain is confirmed for season 5, but this twist will hurt the Netflix show’s ending, no matter how it happens. Stranger Things season 5 will bring the hit series to a close, revealing what becomes of Eleven and the Hawkins gang once and for all. With the Upside Down bleeding into the real world and Vecna still at large, they’ll have their hands full for much of the upcoming season. And it looks like Vecna won’t be the only returning villain they’ll need to contend with when the new episodes drop.

A BTS video shared on Instagram by Dr. Brenner actor Matthew Modine sees him having a bald cap put on during hair and makeup, and its caption includes the hashtags “#strangerthings5,” “#drmartinbrenner,” and “#indestructable.” Although Eleven’s Papa seemed to be dead at the end of Stranger Things season 4, it appears he’ll make a comeback during the final season. While he could be filming a flashback, the bald cap and makeup suggest he’s appearing in the present or future. There are a couple ways this could happen, but they’ll both hurt the Netflix series’ ending.

There’s No Way Stranger Things Can Bring Dr. Brenner Back Without Hurting The Ending

Papa’s Return Undoes The Power Of Eleven’s Season 4 Ending

Dr. Brenner looking up in Stranger Things looking upward intently while clutching Eleven Matthew Modine in character as Brenner in Stranger Things season 4 lying on the dirty ground with blood in his mouth Dr Brenner in an underground facility in Stranger Things Matthew Modine as Dr. Martin Brenner looking intrigued with his hand over his mouth in Stranger Things Eleven and Brenner at the Nina facility in Stranger Things season 4

Although Eleven bids farewell to Papa at the end of Stranger Things season 4, it’s possible he somehow survived being shot during the attack by Agent Wallace and his men. The last time we see Dr. Brenner, he’s lying on the floor in the desert, with Eleven refusing to fully understand or forgive him. It’s hard to see how he’d recover from the state he’s in, especially with no doctor or hospital in sight. Of course, that doesn’t mean Stranger Things won’t try to pull off the impossible by having him survive.

The more likely way for Dr. Brenner to return is through the Upside Down, as we’ve seen Billy Hargrove haunt Max from beyond the grave. Vecna uses people’s loved ones against them, and with the Upside Down more present in the real world, it’s possible Dr. Brenner will haunt Eleven and her friends. The problem with this scenario — and even with him still being alive — is that it cheapens Eleven’s development in Stranger Things season 4. The penultimate season sees her facing who Papa is and choosing herself and her own way of doing things.

Dr. Brenner being alive and capable of redeeming himself would undo the power of Eleven’s growth in season 4, and there’s no reason to do that heading into the final episodes.

Dr. Brenner being alive and capable of redeeming himself would undo the power of Eleven’s growth in season 4, and there’s no reason to do that heading into the final episodes. Even if he returns as an undead villain or in Eleven’s mind, there’s little reason for her to confront him again. For Eleven, Papa is arguably more intimidating and difficult to face as an ordinary human. Her leaving him behind in the season 4 finale is a definitive and transformational moment for her, and it’s hard to see how having her confront him in a new form would benefit the story.

Stranger Things Season 5 Can’t Keep Repeating The Same Story With Dr. Brenner

There’s No Time To Retread The Same Ground

Matthew Modine as Dr. Martin Brenner in Stranger Things.

In addition to hurting Eleven’s evolution, bringing Dr. Brenner back for Stranger Things season 5 seems likely to be repetitive. The show has already done a death fakeout with Eleven’s Papa, and he’s far from the only “dead” Stranger Things character to prove otherwise. However, this type of twist is getting old, especially if it doesn’t serve a greater purpose. Forcing Eleven to confront Papa again is also retreading familiar ground, so Dr. Brenner’s resurrection could be doubly repetitive.

Stranger Things season 5 is expected to premiere in 2025.

With Stranger Things season 5 concluding the Netflix series, there’s no time to rehash storylines that are supposed to be over and done with. There’s a lot to cover in the final season, from Vecna’s defeat to the fates of the entire Hawkins gang. There isn’t time to waste, so Stranger Things needs a good reason to spend time on Dr. Brenner, even after his arc appeared to be over. It’s difficult to imagine what that reason would be, but perhaps the Netflix series will manage to surprise us.