Stranger Things may not be over after all. Fans claim the season 5 finale is a Vecna-manipulated illusion and Netflix’s latest tease is fuelling the fire
The historic three-year-long awaited season 5 of Stranger Things has finally come and gone… or has it. Many fans are convinced (perhaps deluded) that Stranger Things has actually gone nowhere.
It seems that a rather complex theory has been strung, dubbed, ‘Conformity Gate’. This theory consists of the ideas that Vecna, aka Henry, aka Mr Whatsit can manipulate minds and make visions of a false reality.
Now watchers are thinking that the finale which includes an 18 month time jump and quite a bit of room for loopholes (in fairness to the theorists) is actually a made up episode, one played to us from the mind of Vecna, meaning that everything we saw is a kind of vision that Henry had dreamed up and the happy ending we see is far from true. Their evidence comes in many forms.
The hairstyles
In the flash forward scene the Wheelers are fitted eerily similarly to that of their parents Karen and Ted- who made a remarkable recovery to make the graduation scene, something also strange about the episode. Theorists have said this stylistic move is entirely unlike Mike and Nancy and must be a figment of Henry’s imagination.
‘Possession’
There’s also contention with the entire cast’s stance throughout the graduation scenes. It was pointed out that there were some strange similarities between the main crew and those who have been possessed – referencing a past character and vessel of Venca’s, Billy Hargreaves – Max’s brother.
When Billy was ‘possessed’ he would stand with his hands held at his front and an uncomfortably straight posture- something which the entirety of those graduating replicate perfectly. Which could mean everyone is in a trance.
Missing characters
Finally, there’s the missing characters. Suzie, Dustin’s girlfriend, and Vickie, Robin’s girlfriend are missing from the final episode.
They are both characters closely linked to very necessary and very main characters meaning they would likely have made an appearance- suggesting that their lack of, is explained only by the fact that Vecna did not know of their existence and, as he can only recreate what he knows, the vision is not entirely complete and this is an example of one of those holes in his vision.
But it’s not just the theorists though, even Netflix teased a ‘surprise’. In a recent teaser clip posted to the company’s X account.
They revealed a promo video of expected Netflix-produced television for the coming year, featuring Bridgerton-esque people and Sesame Street characters, captioned “Your Future is on its way. #WhatNext Jan 7, 2026.” But what was most strange, is the reminiscent flashing lights and red, swirling sky, because why would a fully summarised series need reemphasis and what future could be on the way for something so recently put to bed.
Perhaps the typical 9 episode instalments are yet to be concluded, as many fans feel something is not quite right with the season’s finale episode 8. So will it be back or will it not? Stranger Things have happened.
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