The ‘Stranger Things’ Brothers: Resolving Relationships and Character Closure
Stranger Things brothers find growth and closure
Netflix’s Stranger Things is often remembered for its monsters, mysteries, and 1980s nostalgia , but at its core the series is a story about relationships—especially within families. Among the most emotionally grounded arcs in the show are those centered on brothers (and sibling-like bonds ), where conflict, protection, distance, and reconciliation shape character growth. Through these relationships, Stranger Things explores how people change, how misunderstandings form, and how closure is earned rather than assumed. Will and Jonathan Byers: Protection, Distance, and Understanding The most prominent brotherly relationship in Stranger Things is between Will and Jonathan Byers . From the beginning, Jonathan is defined by his role as Will’s protector. After their father leaves, Jonathan becomes a surrogate parent, sacrificing his own teenage freedom to care for his younger brother. This responsibility gives Jonathan maturity, but it also creates emotional distance. In the early seasons, Will …
