Jamie Campbell Bower, who plays Vecna in Stranger Things, has effectively debunked the 'Conformity Gate' theory that a secret final episode exists. Speaking on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, he described the actual finale as 'the ending the show deserves', putting the theory to rest.
The theory, which has gained traction on TikTok, posits that the epilogue showing the characters moving on with their lives is an illusion created by Vecna. Fans have scrutinised details like the placement of extras and props to support their claims, despite the Duffer brothers stating no alternate endings were filmed.
Some viewers have been eagerly awaiting a hypothetical secret episode on 7 January, prompted by a cryptic Netflix post, but no new content has appeared. The theory has divided the fandom, with critics calling it a 'coping mechanism' for what they see as an unsatisfying conclusion.
The finale's ambiguity over Eleven's fate has fuelled debate. While co-creator Ross Duffer said 'she lives on in their hearts, whether that’s real or not', actor Sadie Sink believes the character is dead. Campbell Bower's comment suggests the ending is definitive.
