A new behind-the-scenes documentary has finally laid to rest one of the most persistent fan theories surrounding the finale of Netflix's global phenomenon, Stranger Things. The film, titled One Last Adventure: The Making of Stranger Things 5, provides definitive insight that debunks the viral 'Conformity Gate' mystery, revealing a production process far more chaotic than fans ever imagined.
The Pressure of an Unwritten Finale
The documentary, released on Netflix, grants unprecedented access to creators Matt and Ross Duffer, the cast, and crew during the making of the epic final season. In a startling revelation early in the film, the Duffer Brothers admit they embarked on production without a finished script for the series finale. They had no concrete plan for the ultimate fates of key characters or how their emotional journeys would conclude.
This lack of a definitive roadmap created immense pressure, particularly for the climactic eighth episode. The brothers confess they were "getting hammered constantly by production and by Netflix" because they had no clear plan. The documentary's film crew corroborates this, stating they "had no idea what was going on" while shooting with unfinished, red-page scripts. They were forced to film scenes requiring a summer aesthetic during the actual summer, despite the narrative uncertainty.
Debunking the Conformity Gate Theory
This behind-the-scenes chaos directly contradicts the elaborate 'Conformity Gate' theory that spread rapidly on TikTok. The theory suggested the aired finale was a deception conjured by the villain Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower), brainwashing the heroes into a false victory, and that a secret ninth episode with a true ending existed.
The documentary evidence makes it clear that alternative endings were a logistical impossibility. The writers struggled immensely to forge one coherent ending. Matt Duffer expressed his frustration during the process, stating, "This feels so weird jumping to eight, I don't love it." He later described the writing circumstances as the most difficult they had ever faced, due to the immense pressure and noise surrounding the finale.
Vecna actor Jamie Campbell Bower also dismissed the speculation during an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. He endorsed the aired finale as "the ending the show deserves," adding that it felt right thematically, focusing on the core values of "friendship and love and hope and joy."
Ambiguity Around Eleven's Fate
While debunking major fan theories, the documentary also sheds new light on a central character's conclusion. A scene shows the Duffer Brothers in a heated discussion about Eleven's final journey. Matt Duffer is heard saying, "If we are going to sell it as she is gonna kill herself, and then she kills herself..."
Ross Duffer responds by suggesting they "keep it ambiguous" up to a crucial moment. This exchange strongly implies that the character of Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) was indeed intended to die in the finale's final moments, with the creative plan being to keep viewers guessing about her ultimate decision until the very last second.
One Last Adventure: The Making of Stranger Things 5 is available to stream now on Netflix, offering fans a candid and often stressful look at the creation of the show's final chapter, and finally providing answers to mysteries that have lingered since the credits rolled.
