Millions of viewers tuned in for the emotional conclusion of Netflix's hit series Stranger Things on New Year's Day, believing they had witnessed the final chapter after nine years. However, a seismic shift is occurring within the fandom, with a compelling new theory suggesting the celebrated ending was nothing but an elaborate fiction.
What is the 'Conformity Gate' Theory?
The theory, dubbed 'Conformity Gate', has exploded across social media, particularly on TikTok. It proposes that the show's finale, and potentially the entire second volume of the final season, was not a true depiction of events. Instead, it posits that the villain Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower) fabricated a false reality, offering both the characters and the audience a distorted, happy conclusion where the Mind Flayer was defeated.
One fan created a detailed document on X (formerly Twitter), defining Conformity Gate as "the idea that the finale and Volume Two were actually a contorted version created by Vecna, in which the audience, Mike, or both are under Vecna's curse." The theory argues this explains why characters seemed to become "conformed, watered down versions of themselves" in the closing scenes.
The Clues Fans Are Pointing To
Advocates of the theory have compiled a list of eerie Easter eggs they believe support their claim. A prominent social media user, Forthew!n, highlighted several. They noted that during the graduation scene, every character held their hands in the same distinctive manner as Henry Creel. Furthermore, keen-eyed viewers spotted that Dungeons and Dragons books in the background were arranged to spell out 'X A LIE', interpreted as a hint that the events in Dimension X were fabricated.
The most tantalising clue for many is the number seven, which appeared at the end of the finale's credit sequence. Fans link this to a moment where Will Byers (Noah Schnapp) stated that rolling a seven in D&D meant the Demogorgon "got" him. This has led to speculation that a hypothetical ninth episode could be released on January 7, which would "pull back the curtain and reveal that it was all a lie."
Backlash and Skepticism
Despite the theory's viral spread, it has faced significant pushback. The show's creators, the Duffer Brothers, have not confirmed any plans for an additional episode. Many fans have also dismissed the idea on platforms like Reddit. One user, Lizzx_0501, argued the theory "simply doesn't make sense," questioning the logic of producing an entire expensive season with a false ending.
"Why would they do a full season just to make it a wrong ending?" the user questioned, adding, "If we are going to get one more episode, it would not be enough. Unless Vecna wins at the end or his mind infected the whole Hawkins after his death." This highlights the central debate now captivating the Stranger Things community: did they see a genuine victory, or are they still trapped in Vecna's mind?
