Netflix has confirmed that there is no surprise additional episode of “Stranger Things” set to be released, dispelling fan rumors surrounding a speculated finale unofficially named “Conformity Gate.” Following the series’ December 31 finale, social media accounts for the show were updated to state that all episodes of “Stranger Things” are now available, countering a conspiracy theory that emerged post-finale suggesting a fake ending that would be rectified in a secret ninth episode.
Fans theorized that the ending where the villain Vecna was vanquished and the characters returned to reality was not real, pointing to clues from previous seasons. Netflix has not yet responded to requests for comment regarding these speculations.
While not reaching the level of criticism faced by the finale of “Game of Thrones,” the last episode of “Stranger Things” has stirred controversy due to its convoluted plotlines and a conclusion that appeared more focused on setting up a spinoff rather than wrapping up the story satisfactorily.
Critics like Stuart Heritage from the Guardian and Angie Han from the Hollywood Reporter expressed disappointment in the finale, citing a lack of emotional depth and closure for the main characters. NPR’s Linda Holmes criticized the ambiguous ending as a cop-out, raising concerns about the characters’ powers distorting reality.
The notion of a “secret episode” gained traction, fueled by the idea that Vecna’s mind control abilities could have fabricated the original ending. This theory circulated on platforms like TikTok and Reddit, with fans analyzing details like wardrobe choices and Morse code messages for evidence. Despite speculation around a potential release on January 7, Netflix released a trailer for future releases, confirming that the existing finale is indeed the end of the main characters’ story in “Stranger Things.”
The show’s creators are developing a spinoff to address lingering questions from the finale, while an animated series titled “Stranger Things: Tales From ’85” is slated for a 2026 release, bridging the gap between the second and third seasons with the original characters facing new challenges and mysteries in their town.
