*** Warning: The following article contains major spoilers for Stranger Things Season 3. ***
The final episode of
Stranger Things 3 left fans buzzing over the fate of Hawkins police chief Jim Hopper (David Harbour). The fan-favorite character was seemingly killed off in the season finale, sacrificing himself as Joyce destroyed the Russian machine that was opening up a portal to the Upside Down.
However, not everyone was sold on Hopper's death. The lack of any body or remnants and a cryptic mid-credits sequence have led many to speculate that Hopper is still alive and will return in Season 4.
For those who may have missed it, the mid-credits sequence sent us to a hidden Russian science facility/prison where we see two guards reference an imprisoned "American." We're never shown who that prisoner is as they instead choose a different prisoner to become the feast of a Demogorgon. Was it Hopper in the jail cell? Did he somehow escape the massive explosion? Did he jump through the portal before it was shut?
All of these are questions heading into
Stranger Things Season 4, but star David Harbour is adding to the mystery with a cryptic puzzle on social media that fans have already unraveled. Over the past week, Harbour had been changing his Instagram profile picture to various numbers; so far the profile picture was changed from 6 to 1 to 8 and back to 6.
It didn't take long for fans to realize Harbour was listing the phone number for Murray Bauman (played by Brett Gelman), the journalist who helped Hopper and Joyce take down the Russians. Dialing the secret number (618-625-8313) led to a pre-recorded message:
“Hi, you have reached the residence of Murray Bauman. Mom, if this is you, please hang up and call me between the hours of 5 and 6 pm as previously discussed, okay? If this is Joyce, Joyce, thank you for calling, I have been trying to reach ya. I have an update. It’s about, well, it’s probably best if we speak in person. It’s not good or bad, but it’s something …”
Could this update be at all related to Hopper?
Showrunner Matt Duffer and
star David Harbour have both commented on the mysterious cliffhanger for
Stranger Things Season 3, but only offered subtle hints as to Hopper's fate.
Do you think Hopper was the American prisoner or is he stuck in the Upside Down? Or do you think he's really dead?