Stranger Things: MBTI® Of The Main Characters

Spoiler Warning: The following contains spoilers for Stranger Things Season 4.

Netflix’s hit series Stranger Things might be a nostalgic exploration of ’80s pop culture, but it’s also a deep dive into some incredible characters, each with their own unique personalities. There are “Adventurers” as well as “Advocates,” and with each season comes even more fresh faces with their own personalities to explore.

There is a character that matches nearly every MBTI® personality type for every fan to relate to in the show. But what Myers-Briggs® category do each of the major players in Stranger Things fall into?

Updated on May 30th, 2022 by Amanda Bruce: With each season, Stranger Things has added more characters and further developed the personalities of the main players. That’s certainly true of Season 4, which brings more backstory for Eleven, and plenty of new faces for the audience to get to know. As more characters have been added to the show, it’s clear that all of the 16 personalities part of the MBTI® are represented. The characters are so distinct from one another, that it might surprise some fans to find that even characters who seem incredibly different have a lot of the same motivations and traits.

Kali Prasad AKA Eight: ENTJ

ENTJs are natural leaders, which is why this personality type is termed “the Commander.” They are decisive, acting quickly when they’re presented with new information.

It’s easy for Kali to “command” her allies because she takes what she knows about them and immediately applies it to the situation at hand. It doesn’t take her long after meeting Eleven to declare the two sisters and welcome her into her group – a group bent on getting revenge for all the ways they’ve been wronged in the past.

Karen Wheeler: ESTJ

The ESTJ personality type is also known as “the Executive.” They’re the kind of person that can take charge, drawing attention to themselves, and providing a sense of order for those around them. It’s clear that Karen Wheeler does just that in the Wheeler household. She’s really the one in charge.

Even though her kids don’t always tell her everything, she always knows that there’s something else going on, and in the first season of Stranger Things, she even manages to get through to Nancy when she knows Nancy has been repeatedly lying to her.

Erica Sinclair: ESTP

Erica Sinclair is the kind of person always looking for the next opportunity. As an ESTP, she’s an “Entrepreneur.” They are always ready to be the center of attention, or to lead a group on an adventure.

Erica has no problem talking out a plan, but she would much rather be out enacting that plan. She is all about setting things in motion, as is seen whenever her brother and his friends have to come to her for help.

Jason Carver: ENFJ

Jason makes a big impression when he’s introduced in Stranger Things Season 4. He naturally draws people in with a charisma that encourages them to follow his lead. He wants to make a difference but doesn’t entirely go about it in the best way.

Jason is “the Protagonist” when it comes to the personality types of Stranger Things characters. They search for a way to do good for others, much in the way that Jason wants to lead his team to victory, and then, get justice for Chrissy. His methods are questionable, but his intentions are good.

Henry Creel AKA One: INTJ

One of the biggest reveals in Season 4 is that Henry Creel is actually One, the first child whose gifts Dr. Brenner attempted to exploit. Henry saw through Dr. Brenner, even from a young age, which is why he fits the “Architect” personality type so well.

Independent, logical, and someone who is always thinking about the next step, INTJs are driven to be successful. They long to do that by breaking free from the expectations of others, which Henry does with both his family and Dr. Brenner in very different ways.

Bob Newby: ISFJ

Those who fall into the ISFJ personality category are often called “the Defenders,” so this suits Bob Newby perfectly. He might be shy, nerdy, and have trouble sticking up for himself, but when it comes to the people he loves, he’s the consummate badass.

ISFJs are an extremely intelligent and studious type, but they can’t ever hide from their emotions, nor would they want to. Just like Bob the brain, they use their combination of cleverness and empathy to help people whenever they can.

Martin Brenner: ISTJ

Martin Brenner seems so deliberate and emotionless that it makes him a fantastic villain. And interestingly, the personality traits that define his MBTI® type are also what make him bad, because he leans on those characteristics to the point of cruelty.

ISTJs are also called “the Logisticians,” and they are concerned with practicality and pragmatism above all else. They also appreciate rules and structure, which are attributes that absolutely define Dr. Brenner and his work with his child captives.

Billy Hargrove: ESFP

ESFPs are spontaneous and unpredictable, which means they express themselves in both positive and negative ways. When it comes to the borderline feral Billy Hargrove, obviously he takes his ESFP nature to a pretty frightening extreme.

ESFPs are also known as “the Entertainers,” which explains how Billy managed to show up in Hawkins and become the most popular guy in school on his first day. This personality type is also a party animal with a flashy sense of style, which suits Billy perfectly as well.

Steve Harrington: ENFP

It’d be easy to assume that Steve “the Hair” Harrington, aka “King Steve,” would also be an Entertainer purely based on his popularity and sociability. But as his characterization evolved over time, it became obvious that there were some hidden depths to Steve.

He is better suited to the ENFP MBTI® type, also known as “the Campaigner”. These people are social butterflies to be sure, but they also create extremely solid and deep relationships with the people that they love, too.

Max Mayfield: ENTJ

It takes a lot of courage for these Stranger Things characters to move to a new town, arrive at a new school, and assimilate into a really tight group of friends. It requires even more bravery to stick with those friends when supernatural threats become a problem. But Max Mayfield really rolled with the punches well.

Max is ideally suited to the ENTJ personality of the MBTI®, also known as “the Commander.” Max clearly knows how to take charge when she needs to, and she doesn’t let anyone dominate her or push her around.

Jane Hopper AKA Eleven: ISFP

As “the Adventurer,” ISFP Eleven is all about exploring the world she never got to know as a little girl. Unpredictable and prone to risky behavior, Eleven doesn’t take criticism well and can rage like no one else in Hawkins. Connecting with the people she cares about is of utmost importance to her, but she certainly doesn’t want to be locked away as Hopper kept her.

While Eleven’s ego can get the best of her, she’s generally selfless and uses her powers to protect others even when it hurts her. She is willing to challenge things head-on that would make most people shake in their boots.

Mike Wheeler: INFJ

Mike is “the Advocate,” or an INFJ. While the rest of his buddies initially think Eleven’s a weirdo, Mike truly wants to help her out. He actively strives to improve her life, feeding her and protecting her to ensure she’s safe. He does the same with his friends, even risking his own demise to save Dustin from the “mouthbreather” bullies. He also wholeheartedly believes that Will is alive and wants to find him.

Mike might be an introvert who acts according to his feelings, but he’s also got some strong opinions and is unafraid of standing up for what he believes is right.

Lucas Sinclair: ESTJ

Half of the Stranger Things quartet is made up of extroverts, one of whom is Lucas. Lucas is “the Executive,” or an ESTJ. He is a good leader and he wants to maintain order in their group, which leaves him questioning just who Eleven is and why they should help her in the first season. As a judger, he needs his world to be planned, and he’s very responsible, which is why he wants the adults to handle a homeless child — as they should.

When Lucas goes off on his own to find Will, he doesn’t do so impetuously but after really thinking it through logically. Once he’s processed the clues, he’s all in, with or without everyone else.

Joyce Byers: ISFJ

As “the Defender,” or an ISFJ, Joyce is all about protecting the people she loves. An introvert, Joyce only has a handful of these people in her life, but that only makes her that much more of a fierce protector of her family. She’s sharp and can see things that most can’t, but she’s also sensitive, making her an ideal parent.

Being an ISFJ made Joyce more prone to believe in the Upside Down because she welcomes new ideas, even if she’s more traditional in other ways. Like other Defenders, Joyce takes both her job as a parent and her work outside the home very seriously. Everything is personal to her.

Dustin Henderson: ENTP

Dustin is the other extrovert among the boys in Hawkins’ AV Club. Dustin’s intuitive nature makes him an ENTP, or “the Debater.” He’s the one who thinks it’s a great idea to keep a Demodog as a pet and unfortunately for him, that means the loss of the family cat. Dustin has a quick wit and is eager to argue his point of view, which can one of ENTP’s most irritating traits. But for him, it only adds to his charm.

Dustin’s demand to have doors of knowledge opened for him makes him a classic ENTP, since they want to learn all the time. Debaters are also great at being the underdog who overcomes the odds, and Dustin has always managed to do that.

Barbara Holland: ISFJ

Even though Barb is gone, she’s definitely not forgotten, and she’s become something of a cult favorite among fans. Like Joyce Byers, Barb is an ISFJ, “the Defender.” And while viewers don’t have to look any further than Steve’s pool party to assess why, Barb always exudes this energy. Barb’s reserved style and introverted nature might make her seem dull to some, but those who know her understand that she’s funny, smart, and will always put the people she loves first.

Barb is all about being the best friend anyone could ask for, and more than many deserve. Her life is lost in the process of defending her loved one, and Nancy is forever changed because of it.

Nancy Wheeler: ESFJ

Nancy and Barb’s compatibility is very high, which is why they were such good friends. As an ESFJ, or “the Consul,” Nancy is Barb’s match. Their only difference is in what energizes them best since Nancy enjoys parties and socializing with more people. Nancy is more popular than her BFF and really enjoys attention. She loves picking out clothes to wear and focuses on practical things in her life, like studying — at least before she becomes a monster slayer.

Nancy’s ESFJ personality is the very thing that makes her claim that she and Steve are innocent during their time alone together; she thinks that traditional rules and ethics are important and doesn’t want to be seen as something other than a “good girl” in the eyes of authority figures.

Jonathan Byers: INTP

Is Jonathan and Nancy’s relationship doomed? According to their personalities, it might be, since inventive Jonathan’s an INTP, “the Logician,” and almost Nancy’s complete opposite. While some opposites can attract, Jonathan is all about groundbreaking music and intellectual ideas, while Nancy is much more mainstream. And Nancy’s need for warmth might not be fulfilled by an INTP, since this personality often comes off as cold.

Still, they’ve made a great pair for the most part. Jonathan’s creativity and intellect are hard to not enjoy (except when he’s taking pictures through people’s windows), and his tendency to keep most of his thoughts private keeps him interesting.

Will Byers: INFP

Like his mother and brother, Will Byers is an introvert. As an INFP amongst MBTI® types, “the Mediator,” Will was able to survive because he is the kind of person who constantly searches for a way to improve his situation. He will always try to find the good, which is why he was able to communicate with his mother even when hiding in the Upside Down.

Will seems shy to those who don’t know him, and he’s often misunderstood. To his friends and family, his inner passion for his interests, from art to science to D&D, is endearing. Having a few close friends who share those interests is everything to Will.

Jim Hopper: ISTP

It should come as no surprise that Jim Hopper is an ISTP, “the Virtuoso.” To him, mornings are for coffee and contemplation, as the ISTP takes time to process information internally. Confident and practical, Hopper is the only police officer curious enough to really troubleshoot Will’s disappearance and push further to find out what happened.

Hopper learns as he goes, and while it might not seem like he’s using “tools” to get the job done, every time he pretends to be someone else, totally wings it to explore the Upside Down, and takes on Eleven as his child, he’s exhibiting pure Virtuoso behavior.