Stranger Things star Jamie Campbell Bower has seemingly shut down a fan theory that a secret final episode will be released following the show's conclusion on New Year's Day. The theory, dubbed Conformity Gate, suggests that the epilogue shown in the finale was an illusion created by Bower's villainous character, Vecna.
Speaking on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Bower called the finale 'the ending the show deserves'. 'Even as the actor that plays Vecna, it just feels right,' he said, referring to his character's defeat. '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.'
Fans supporting Conformity Gate have pointed to details such as the positioning of extras' hands resembling Vecna's alias Henry Creel, and continuity issues with props. Some believe a secret episode would drop on Wednesday 7 January, after Netflix posted 'Your future is on the way' alongside a cryptic date reference, though no episode has appeared.
However, not all viewers are convinced. One critic on X wrote that the theory is 'a coping mechanism because the Duffers writing was genuinely THAT bad'. Another added that the showrunners' 'inability to write a satisfying conclusion' has led fans to believe in a non-existent episode.
The finale's ambiguity over Eleven's fate—whether she survived or died—has also sparked debate. Co-creator Ross Duffer suggested that 'she lives on in their hearts, whether that's real or not', while actress Sadie Sink believes the character is dead. The Duffer brothers have maintained that multiple endings were not filmed.
