Billy Hargrove’s Top Moments in Stranger Things RANKED

Stranger Things

Onscreen

07 November 2025

2 mins

Billy Hargrove, played by Dacre Montgomery, is one of the most intense and complex characters in Stranger Things, making a lasting impression with his abrasive personality and troubled past. Introduced in Season 2 as Max Mayfield’s older stepbrother, Billy immediately establishes himself as a hotheaded, aggressive, and often antagonistic figure. His brash demeanor, volatile temper, and desire for control create tension not only within his own family but also within the wider group of Hawkins teens.

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Billy Hargrove may have died in Stranger Things Season 3, but his shadow looms large over Season 4 — especially through Max, whose grief and guilt become one of the central emotional arcs of the season.
Billy’s death at the Battle of Starcourt Mall — where he sacrificed himself to save Eleven and the others — is the defining trauma for Max. By 1986, when Season 4 begins, that loss has hollowed her out.
She’s withdrawn from her friends, living in a small trailer with her struggling mother, and isolating herself emotionally. Her stepfather has left town, and her relationship with Lucas has faded. Max is haunted — literally and figuratively — by what happened to Billy.

Billy Hargrove’s Top Moments

Billy’s importance to the series extends beyond being a foil for the other kids. In Season 3, he becomes central to the story as the human host for the Mind Flayer, which uses him as a vessel to spread chaos across Hawkins. This development elevates Billy from a typical high school antagonist to a critical element in the supernatural conflict, showing that even the most difficult characters can have pivotal roles in the larger narrative. His arc illustrates the tragic intersection between human trauma and supernatural forces, making him a compelling and unforgettable presence.

From Seasons 1 through 4, Billy’s character evolves in significant ways. He is absent in Season 1 but makes his first appearance in Season 2 as Max’s older stepbrother, whose bullying and arrogance immediately create conflict. By Season 3, his storyline deepens as he becomes possessed by the Mind Flayer, highlighting his vulnerability and making his actions more than just intentional cruelty. The possession storyline allows viewers to see Billy as a tragic figure, caught between his own struggles and the supernatural forces controlling him. In Season 4, while Billy’s physical presence is limited, the impact of his earlier actions and his role as a warning about the dangers of the Upside Down continue to resonate, particularly in how they affect Max and the group’s understanding of Vecna’s influence.

Billy’s personality is defined by his aggression, pride, and vulnerability. He is brash, confrontational, and often reckless, but his outward toughness masks deep-seated insecurities and a longing for acceptance. Billy’s death at Starcourt Mall, in a moment of protecting Eleven, shows that heroism, villainy, and tragedy are often intertwined, especially in a world as unpredictable as Hawkins.

Looking ahead to Season 5, Billy’s legacy is likely to continue influencing the story, particularly through the emotional and psychological impact on Max and the other characters who experienced his possession and eventual sacrifice. While Billy himself may not be physically present, the consequences of his actions and the way he shaped the events in Hawkins will remain significant, serving as a reminder of the human costs of the Upside Down. Billy Hargrove stands out as one of Stranger Things’ most memorable characters, a mix of menace, tragedy, and vulnerability whose story leaves a lasting impression and adds layers of emotional and narrative depth to the series.

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Billy Hargrove’s Top Moments - Billy Hargrove’s Top Moments in Stranger Things RANKED

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Billy Hargrove may have died in Stranger Things Season 3, but his shadow looms large over Season 4 — especially through Max, whose grief and guilt become one of the central emotional arcs of the season.

Billy’s death at the Battle of Starcourt Mall — where he sacrificed himself to save Eleven and the others — is the defining trauma for Max. By 1986, when Season 4 begins, that loss has hollowed her out. She’s withdrawn from her friends, living in a small trailer with her struggling mother, and isolating herself emotionally. Her stepfather has left town, and her relationship with Lucas has faded. Max is haunted — literally and figuratively — by what happened to Billy.

For most of the season, Billy’s influence is seen in how deeply Max has internalized his death. She visits the school counselor, reporting nightmares, nosebleeds, and visions that mirror the symptoms of Vecna’s other victims. Her recurring sense of guilt — that she “didn’t do enough” to save her stepbrother — becomes the exact psychological wound Vecna exploits.

When Max visits Billy’s grave and reads him a letter she wrote, we see how her grief has evolved into shame. She tells him she feels responsible for his death, that part of her is angry at him for what he did, and part of her is angry at herself for wanting to be free of him. It’s an honest, painful confession — and precisely what opens her up to Vecna’s attack. In her vision, Billy appears, but this isn’t the Billy who redeemed himself in his final act of heroism. It’s a twisted version born from Max’s self-loathing. Vecna uses his image to tell her that she wanted Billy to die, that deep down she’s just like him.

That sequence — set in the Hawkins Cemetery — becomes one of the most powerful moments of the season. Billy’s memory, weaponized by Vecna, nearly kills Max. But his influence also indirectly saves her. When her friends play her favorite song, “Running Up That Hill,” Max reconnects with her love for life and her bond with the group. It’s that emotional clarity — and not the guilt tied to Billy’s death — that pulls her back from the edge. In a sense, she redefines what Billy’s memory means to her. Instead of being a source of torment, it becomes part of her fight to live.

Even later, when Vecna returns for Max in the finale, the echoes of Billy’s death still shape her. The entire plan to trap Vecna hinges on Max volunteering to be bait — a decision born from her acceptance of her pain. Billy’s sacrifice in Season 3 taught her what it means to face death for others; now Max mirrors that courage.

So while Billy never appears in the physical world of Season 4, his presence is everywhere. He represents both Max’s deepest guilt and her eventual resilience. His memory drives her isolation, nearly destroys her, and ultimately becomes the crucible through which she learns to survive. Billy’s redemption at Starcourt set the stage for Max’s in Season 4 — a haunting reminder that in Stranger Things, the ghosts of Hawkins are never really gone.