'Stranger Things' came to an end on December 31, 2025 (ET). However, was it really the end or 'the end of the beginning'? Here's what the Conformity Gate theory suggests.
After almost 10 years, Stranger Things wrapped up its much-loved series with a banging two-hour finale. While tears were shed, some fans were left confused and frustrated by the Duffer Brothers' ending. The frustration gave birth to what is now being called the "Conformity Gate". However, now the question is: what exactly is it? Let's find out.
If you are a Stranger Things fan, then you've surely come across the Conformity Gate. Well, for those who don't know, the term is an online theory that the finale that we saw on December 31, 2025 (ET), was actually a fake-out, and there will soon be a secret ninth episode which will actually wrap up the series on January 7, 2026 (ET).
Social media has been flooded with posts ever since the finale aired on December 31, 2025 (ET). Fans have been at odds about how the Duffer Brothers decided to end the show, and have even come up with their own endings for Stranger Things. However, while social media is not the most reliable metric, it is largely driven by viewers' emotions. Nonetheless, while half of the fanbase is satisfied with how the series ended, the other half is confused or even downright furious about the finale, and out of this fervor has come Conformity Gate.
The movement, now being widely referred to as the 'Conformity Gate,' essentially uses small clips from the finale as evidence to suggest that what we actually saw was just a fake ending. The fan theory alleges that the Duffer Brothers and Netflix have pulled a 'Vecna' level illusion on the fans and will announce or even surprise-release a ninth episode on January 7, 2026, which will truly wrap up the series. However, is this just wishful thinking among a crazed fanbase, or is there any possibility of Conformity Gate?
The Stranger Things finale was a massive hit in theaters but faced severe criticism from fans online. Especially over 'Eleven's' fate. Additionally, the fans felt that the finale had left them with more questions than it had answered. However, according to Conformity Gate, all of those lingering threads will be tied up when the secret ninth episode arrives to fix every problem created by the "fake" series finale. The theory has emerged after fans believe that the boring, straightforward ending is at complete odds with everything the series has stood out for over the years.
According to fans, Stranger Things was about defying conformity and fighting oppression, most notably in the case of 'Eleven' and her escape from a lifetime of torment. On the other end, there was 'Will Byers's' and his coming out, mirroring the more general fight against the Upside Down and its assorted horrors. The Conformity Gate believers are sure that the finale has not yet revealed the actual ending. Not only did 'Mike' and 'Will' didn't not end up together (as many fans had hoped they would), every character (other than Eleven) just seemed to walk off into the sunset with happy endings.
'Max Mayfield' even calls out the rote endings during the final Dungeons & Dragons match, saying to Mike, "That's it? Comfort and happiness? Could you be more trite?" Well, according to fans, this is yet more proof that the whole finale episode was fake.
According to fans, the Conformity Gate suggests the final 40 minutes of the Stranger Things finale were just a mirage projected by 'Vecna'. Fans claim that the evil villain didn't actually die but completed his mission to fuse Dimension X with Earth. Fans point to the scrambled letters on the spines of Dungeons & Dragons books, which can form the phrase "X A Lie." This is apparently evidence that Dimension X was never destroyed and that 'Vecna' is still alive and projecting an illusion.
Then, there's the fact that certain props changed colours in the finale, specifically the voltage dial, mirroring the way certain elements of 'Vecna's' previous illusions would be slightly off and thereby act as signs for 'Holly Wheeler' (Nell Fisher) and 'Max' to follow. Additionally, there has been supposed evidence that the way the characters stood during the 40-minute epilogue mirrored how 'Vecna'/'Henry Creel' would stand. Fans also noted that when users search for the term "fake ending" on Netflix, Stranger Things is the only show that appears in the results. However, that could simply be because of the volume of online discussion around fake endings and the show, which has likely prompted the Netflix algorithm to associate the two.
At the end, the question remains: will fans be getting a secret episode 9? Well, the short answer is no. There hasn't been any confirmation on any of the Conformity Gate theories, and the Duffer Brothers have consistently said this is the official end of the show. 'Will' may well have rolled a seven during his D&D game, and Netflix might be announcing a new slate on January 7, 2025, but the likelihood is that Stranger Things is, like the Upside Down, gone for good.
What are your thoughts on the Conformity Gate theory? Let us know.
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