Does Barb die in Stranger Things?

Last Modified Mar 25, 2023 16:26 GMT
Source: Screengrab from the series Stranger Things
Source: Screengrab from the series Stranger Things

Yes, in season one of "Stranger Things," Barb, Nancy's momentary friend, is abducted by the demogorgon and brutally and instantly killed.

Will is attacked and taken prisoner by the Demogorgon in season one of Stranger Things. The entire series' plot begins with his disappearance, and he endures a long, lonely week after being abducted by the toothy-mawed monster in the mysterious Upside-Down.

Will eventually manages to escape with the aid of his friends, but Barb is instantly killed when she is taken by the same monster. Even years after Season 1 premiered, many fans still find this moment upsetting. Barb only appeared briefly in “Stranger Things,” but her brief appearance resonated with viewers.

There is an appearance by Barb in “Stranger Things 4,” but it's not the one everyone wanted. Vecna mocks Nancy in episode 7, "The Massacre at Hawkins Lab," by showing her visions of her own regret and sorrow. This experience gives viewers a fleeting glimpse of Barb wallowing in the Upside Down.

Even though Vecna and the Mind Flayer were trying to accomplish their goals when Barb died, neither villain specifically targeted her for a purpose. Her demise served as a plot device to highlight the danger and brutality of the Upside Down, as well as the fate of characters who visit it.

Who portrayed Barb in Stranger Things?

American actress Shannon Purser portrayed the role of Barbara Holland in season one of the Netflix series “Stranger Things,” and it was also her debut. Additionally, Purser was recognized for the role with a Primetime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series.

She portrayed Barbara Holland, Nancy Wheeler's (Natalia Dyer) closest friend and an intelligent, outspoken young woman. Despite being only a minor character, many people have cited Barb as one of their favorites. Purser gained worldwide recognition for this performance.

Source: Official Instagram Account of Shannon Purser
Source: Official Instagram Account of Shannon Purser

Purser is a self-taught musician and artist. She has discussed having OCD, and she frequently promotes mental health and anxiety awareness. Purser came out as bisexual in a tweet on April 18, 2017. Unfortunately, no additional information about her is available, most likely because she is a new actor.

In the teen drama "Riverdale" on The CW, Purser plays Ethel Muggs. In the 2018 movie "Sierra Burgess Is a Loser," she portrayed the title character. She played a small part in the comedy movie "Life of the Party," which was ultimately cut. Purser read the audiobook of "Leah on the Offbeat" and portrayed Annabelle Bowman, a member of the Stanton High drama group, in the play "Rise."

Why did the demogorgon capture Barb but not Will?

One Stranger Things fan theory holds that, while being imprisoned, Will was under the control of the villainous Mind Flayer. The Demogorgon that grabbed Barb was either only looking for food or may have botched his attempt to appease the Mind Flayer, whereas this more intelligent monster was searching for a human host.

Some fans of Stranger Things claim that Hawkins Lab's terrifying antagonist is more than just a mindless monster that preys on the town's youth. This fan theory contends that the Demogorgon's actions in Season 1 demonstrate that the Stranger Things villain is actually the Mind Flayer's puppet.

Will's improbable survival for a week in the Upside-Down and the monster's unpredictable behavior are both evidence for this. Barb's attack by the Demogorgon went unnoticed, but her screams suggest the monster may have more plans for her than just dragging her away and eating her.

Source: Screengrab from the series Stranger Things
Source: Screengrab from the series Stranger Things

She is long dead when viewers later see her body, but she doesn't seem to have even been partially eaten. There would be a lot less Barb left if the Demogorgon that killed Barb had been looking for food. The theory, however, holds up as an explanation that the Demogorgon was acting under the direction of the Mind Flayer and that its objective was simply to kill Barb and sow fear.

What does the Slug Theory say about Barb's passing?

The villain's scheme begins to make sense if Stranger Things viewers assume that the Demogorgon attacking Barb is the same creature that kidnapped Will in the first place, based on the unsettling slug that appears from the mouth of Barb's corpse.

Fans hypothesized it might be evidence the Flayer attempted to control her mind and behavior the same way it successfully overcame Will's body and mind during season 2 because the same kind of slug is later seen slipping out of Will's mouth at the conclusion of Stranger Things season 1.

According to the theory, the slugs were a byproduct of the Mind Flayer's possessions and abilities. This scene would later have an explanation within the show and provide more of the nightmare-inducing imagery. Barb's passing suggested that whatever the slug tried to do didn't work, so the Mind Flayer turned to Will.

FAQs

Barbara Holland was killed in season one of Stranger Things by the demogorgon, who captured Will.
Barbara Holland is portrayed by American actress Shannon Purser.
It appears that Barbara's passing was merely a plot device, but in the same series, the viewers' fear of the Upside Down was sparked by her passing.

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