Jamie Campbell Bower, who plays Vecna in Stranger Things, has seemingly debunked fan theories that a secret final episode exists. The theory, dubbed 'Conformity Gate', emerged after the Netflix series concluded on New Year's Day, with some viewers believing the epilogue was an illusion created by Vecna.
Speaking on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Campbell Bower said the finale was 'the ending the show deserves'. He added: 'Even as the actor that plays Vecna, like, it just – it feels right. The show is so much about friendship and love and hope and joy. And of course, like, the person who is not that has to go, you know?'
The theory gained traction on TikTok, with fans analysing details such as the placement of extras' hands in graduation scenes, which they claimed resembled Vecna's alias Henry Creel. Others cited continuity issues with props. Some expected a secret episode to drop on 7 January, after Netflix posted a cryptic message, but no new episode has appeared.
However, the Duffer brothers, the show's creators, have maintained that multiple endings were not filmed. The finale's ambiguity over Eleven's fate also sparked debate, with co-creator Ross Duffer saying 'she lives on in their hearts, whether that's real or not'. Actor Sadie Sink stated she believes the character is dead.
