TL;DR: Dacre Montgomery played Billy Hargrove—the mulleted, terrifying, yet strangely charismatic antagonist of Stranger Things. Despite the character’s death in Season 3, his presence looms large over the series finale and the current TikTok "villain-stanning" culture. This guide helps you understand the "Billy Effect," why your teen might be romanticizing a bully, and how to handle the darker psychological themes of the Stranger Things series finale.
Quick Navigation:
- Stranger Things (Netflix)
- The Broken Hearts Gallery (A lighter Dacre Montgomery alternative)
- Elvis (Dacre as TV director Steve Binder)
- Power Rangers (Dacre as the Red Ranger)
If you haven’t been keeping up with the Hawkins crew, Dacre Montgomery is the Australian actor who stepped into Stranger Things in Season 2 and immediately dialed the tension up to eleven. He played Billy Hargrove, Max’s older stepbrother.
Billy wasn't a supernatural monster (at first); he was a human one. He was a racist, abusive, hyper-masculine bully who spent his time smoking by his Camaro and terrorizing the main cast. However, by the time he sacrificed himself to the Mind Flayer in Season 3, he had become one of the most discussed characters in the show's history.
As we hit the series finale in 2026, Dacre’s portrayal of Billy remains a touchstone for fans. Whether through flashbacks, Vecna-induced hallucinations, or the show's exploration of Max's grief, Billy is still very much a part of the conversation.
It’s a bit jarring to see your kid wearing a t-shirt featuring a character who was, frankly, a total nightmare. But there’s a reason Dacre Montgomery’s DMs are likely still a disaster zone.
- The "Hurt People Hurt People" Narrative: In Season 3, we saw Billy’s backstory—a childhood defined by a physically abusive father. For Gen Z and Gen Alpha, who are incredibly fluent in "therapy-speak," Billy isn't just a villain; he's a "trauma victim who lacked the tools to heal." They see the nuance, even if the character’s actions were inexcusable.
- The Redemptive Sacrifice: Pop culture loves a bad guy who dies for the good guys. Billy’s final stand against the Mind Flayer gave fans "permission" to like him.
- The Aesthetic: Let’s be real—the 80s bad-boy look (the mullet, the denim, the earring) is currently "peak" on social media. Dacre Montgomery has that old-school movie star charisma that works just as well in 2026 as it did in 1985.
- The "Sigma" Edit Culture: If you’ve seen your teen scrolling through TikTok or Reels, you’ve probably seen "edits" of Billy. These are fast-paced videos with heavy bass music that frame his aggression as "cool" or "alpha." It’s a weird corner of the internet that blends genuine fandom with a problematic idolization of toxic behavior.
Ask our chatbot about why teens romanticize "dark" characters
As Stranger Things wraps up its final season, the intensity is at an all-time high. This isn't the "kids on bikes" show it was in 2016. It’s now a full-blown psychological horror epic.
Ages 13+ The finale deals heavily with themes of grief, survivor's guilt (specifically Max’s guilt regarding Billy), and the literal end of the world. Dacre Montgomery’s character serves as the catalyst for much of the emotional weight. Be prepared for:
- Graphic Body Horror: The show has leaned hard into the "flesh and bone" gore.
- Psychological Torture: The villain, Vecna, preys on trauma. If your child has dealt with loss or bullying, some scenes might be genuinely triggering.
- Heavy Language: The "kids" are now adults, and the dialogue reflects that.
If your teen is a Dacre superfan, you might want to steer them toward his other projects to see him in a different light. He’s actually a very thoughtful, artistic guy (he even had a poetry podcast for a while).
Ages 12+ This is the "palate cleanser." It’s a charming, modern rom-com where Dacre plays the lead—a kind, slightly hipster hotel owner. It’s a complete 180 from Billy Hargrove and a great way to show your teen that an actor isn't their character.
Ages 10+ Before he was a villain, he was the Red Ranger. This 2017 reboot is surprisingly decent and focuses on a group of "misfit" teens. It’s much more age-appropriate for younger siblings who want to see what the Dacre hype is about without the Stranger Things nightmares.
Ages 12+ Dacre has a smaller role here as Steve Binder, the director of the '68 Comeback Special. It’s a flashy, high-energy Baz Luhrmann film. It’s great for music-loving families and shows off Dacre’s ability to disappear into a period piece without the aggressive edge.
Check out our guide on age-appropriate psychological thrillers
The "Billy Effect" is actually a great opening to talk about some pretty heavy real-world stuff. Instead of just rolling your eyes at the posters, try these angles:
- The "Hurt People Hurt People" Fallacy: It’s okay to have empathy for Billy’s childhood, but does that excuse him being a racist bully to Lucas or abusive to Max? This is a vital conversation about accountability. Understanding someone’s "why" doesn't mean you have to accept their "what."
- Toxic Masculinity vs. Charisma: Billy is a classic example of "toxic masculinity" being packaged as "cool." Ask your teen: "What parts of Billy are actually attractive, and what parts are just scary?"
- The Reality of Grief: In the final season, Max’s struggle is deeply tied to her complicated feelings about Billy. It’s a great way to talk about how it’s okay to feel "messy" emotions when someone complicated passes away. You don't have to feel just one thing.
- Middle School (Ages 11-13): They are likely seeing the Billy edits on social media. They might find the character "cool" without fully grasping the weight of his actions. Keep an eye on the Stranger Things gore—the finale is a lot.
- High School (Ages 14-18): They get the nuance. They’re likely the ones arguing about his "redemption arc" on Discord. This is the prime age for discussing the psychological themes of the show.
- Younger Kids: Billy is genuinely terrifying. If you have a 9-year-old who wants to watch because "everyone at school is," maybe start with Power Rangers or stick to Minecraft versions of the show.
Dacre Montgomery is a generational talent who took a one-dimensional bully and turned him into a tragic, unforgettable figure. While the "stanning" of Billy Hargrove can feel a bit "Ohio" (weird/cringe) to us parents, it’s usually just teens processing complex emotions through a safe, fictional lens.
The Stranger Things finale is a cultural moment. Use it to talk about the difference between an actor and a character, the cycle of abuse, and why we’re so drawn to "villains" who show a glimmer of humanity.
Next Steps:
- Watch the "Dear Billy" episode (Season 4, Ep 4) with your teen if you haven't. It’s the peak of the show's emotional arc regarding his character.
- Check their social feeds. If they’re deep into Billy "thirst traps," it might be time for a casual chat about what healthy relationships actually look like (spoiler: they don't involve being run off the road by a Camaro).
- Explore Dacre's poetry. If you want to see the "real" actor, look up his "DKMH" project. It’s surprisingly deep and might appeal to your more artistic kids.
Learn more about the psychological impact of horror on teens