Of all the deaths on the popular Netflix series Stranger Things, Barb Holland's (Shannon Purser) season 1 demise is one of the most shocking. And it's even more amazing that Barb has such a memorable place in the fandom given she isn't in that many scenes. Known as Nancy Wheeler's (Natalia Dyer) best friend who agrees to go to a party even though she doesn't want to, Barb is violently killed only a few episodes into the series.
Stranger Things fans immediately came up with the hashtag #JusticeForBarb and created many memes to share their love for this character. What happened to Barb on Stranger Things and what did her death mean for the series, and most of all, for Nancy?
Barb Dies In Stranger Things Season 1 When She's Trapped By A Demogorgon In The Upside Down
Barb's Stranger Things death is one of the most emotionally affecting moments of season 1. In episode 2 “The Weirdo On Maple Street," Barb and Nancy attend a party that Barb has no interest in going to, but because Nancy is dating Steve Harrington (Joe Keery), Barb tries to be a good friend and agrees to go. Barb sits outside near the pool and the Demogorgon grabs her, and before she knows it, in episode 3 "Holly, Jolly," she's in the Upside Down. The Demogorgon then kills her brutally.
One of the scariest Stranger Things creatures, the Demogorgon sees Barb, knows exactly what it wants with her, and spares her no mercy. It's a surprising and emotional moment and a testament to the show's smart storytelling that such a minor character could make fans feel so sad. Barb is incredibly innocent and dies because she was in the wrong place at the wrong time and trying to be the best friend she could be. And that proves how well Stranger Things crafts its friendship stories.
How Barb's Stranger Things Death Affects Nancy
Barb's Stranger Things death is so emotional because it convinces Nancy that she has to do whatever she can to learn the truth about her friend's demise and also what is really going on in Hawkins. In season 2, Nancy and Jonathan Byers (Charles Heaton) work together and figure out that Barb couldn't escape the Upside Down, and they make sure that the town mourns Barb with a real funeral.
While the Jonathan/Nancy/Steve Stranger Things love triangle is one of the most memorable parts of Nancy's character arc, watching Nancy honor Barb's memory shows what a kind, loyal person she is. Nancy plays the role of the investigator throughout the entire series, from teaming up with Robin (Maya Hawke) in season 4 to continually searching for answers with Jonathan. Because she works for her high school newspaper, she has the skills to ignore what people say and think and find the real truth.
There are always many questions on Stranger Things, like whether Eleven created the Upside Down, and Barb's death is so crucial to the story because it's the first time that Nancy realizes that Hawkins has this dark and sinister alternate universe. It's also a moment that powers Nancy forward and gives her the ammunition that she needs in order to find the strength to keep fighting.
While Eleven's (Millie Bobby Brown) best quotes, fascinating background, and desire to save her friends from the evil horrors of Hawkins will always be at the forefront of the series, Nancy's passion can't be ignored. And Nancy's entire arc is informed by the death of her best friend.
What Did Shannon Purser Say About Barb's Stranger Things Death?
In a 2017 interview with Deadline, Shannon Purser shared that a dummy was used during Barb's Stranger Things death scene, Purser said that Mark Steger, who plays the Demogorgon, was on set and in his massive suit. She described what the set looked like for her pool scene: "There were these gross vines everywhere, and they put glycerin and slime all over the whole set, which was both disgusting and cool. They did have little spores and stuff floating in the air."
Purser also said that she didn't know that Barb would die at first. She explained, "there was this secrecy about Episode 7, which is the episode where [Chief Hopper] finds Barb’s body. None of the cast really knew — they hadn’t received the scripts, and they didn’t really know what was going to happen."
From the disappointing Stranger Things season 4 death to Barb's passing in season 1, Stranger Things is always surprising, fascinating, and thrilling viewers. And while fans would have loved to see Barb again, and it would have been great for her to have a longer character arc, Barb's Stranger Things death does inform Nancy's character and emphasize the dangers of Hawkins. And for those reasons, it's hard not to say that it was the right call.