The creators of Stranger Things have addressed why they chose not to kill off fan-favourite characters in the long-awaited series finale, despite some viewers expecting a more tragic ending.
In Netflix's behind-the-scenes documentary One Last Adventure: The Making of Stranger Things 5, the Duffer Brothers explained that killing characters would have undermined the show's core tone. Matt Duffer said: 'This show is about how life does throw this stuff at you, the hard stuff, but you overcome it.' His brother Ross added: 'We always have to maintain this sense of fun in the show or it doesn’t become the show anymore. Or it just becomes depressing.'
While Steve Harrington and Dustin Henderson survived, Eleven's fate was left ambiguous. She appeared to sacrifice herself in the Upside Down, but a final scene in Mike's basement suggested she faked her death. Matt Duffer commented: 'I think you have to be able to move on from that [trauma].' Ross added: 'I always thought she kind of represents magic. And so she has to leave. She has to be gone in order for them to move on.'
The brothers have left it to fans to decide which version of Eleven's ending they prefer, as the show concluded its five-season run on Netflix.
