\u201cStranger Things\u201d came to an end when the final episode hit Netflix on Dec. 31, 2025 \u2026 or did it?<\/p>\n
Warning: Spoilers ahead for the series finale of \u201cStranger Things.\u201d <\/b><\/i><\/p>\n
Some fans of the science fiction coming-of-age series are convinced that an additional secret episode will premiere on Wednesday, Jan. 7. The theory, known as Conformity Gate, has circulated widely on social media since the \u201cStranger Things\u201d finale aired. <\/p>\n
Conformity Gate believers think the relatively happy \u201cStranger Things\u201d ending was an illusion. Everyone but Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) survived, Max Mayfield (Sadie Sink) and Lucas Sinclair (Caleb McLaughlin) stayed together, and the gang all headed off to new schools, new cities and new jobs. But what if none of that really happened? What if it was all just a mirage created by Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower<\/a>)?<\/p>\n One TikTok user <\/a>guessed that Vecna took control of Mike Wheeler\u2019s (Finn Wolfhard) mind during season 5, and the entire epilogue was an illusion constructed to pacify him. Fans have pointed to several clues from the finale that support the theory. <\/p>\n During the graduation scene, the audience sat with their hands clasped in front of them, which is exactly how Henry Creel \u2014 Vecna\u2019s human form \u2014 often stood. One audience member also held up a blank sign, which seemed like the kind of unfinished detail that might occur in a dream.<\/p>\n Just before the epilogue began, the camera focused on Mike\u2019s face as he watched Eleven sacrifice herself. The screen went black, and viewers heard what sounded like Vecna\u2019s ominous clock tick. The sound was explained by showing a construction worker hammering on a brick building, but was that just Vecna playing tricks on a cursed Mike?<\/p>\n A poster <\/a>for season 5 of \u201cStranger Things\u201d also seemingly hinted at the Mind Flayer and Vecna taking over Mike\u2019s mind. The promo image showed the Mind Flayer perched between Mike and Vecna with its spidery limbs connected to both of their heads. <\/p>\n The name \u201cConformity Gate\u201d stems from the idea that all the characters are \u201cconforming\u201d to Vecna\u2019s too-good-to-be-true happy ending in the illusion. Not all \u201cStranger Things\u201d fans believe the theory.<\/p>\n READ MORE: <\/b>\u2018Stranger Things\u2019 creators defend controversial finale decision<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n \u201cEnding was so bad they got their fans being delusional,\u201d one TikTok user quipped.<\/p>\n \u201cI think it\u2019s cool but realistically it\u2019s not happening,\u201d another argued.<\/p>\n \u201cThey made the last episode into a movie at the theater<\/a>. Wrap it up,\u201d a third person wrote.<\/p>\n Luckily, \u201cStranger Fans\u201d don\u2019t have to wait long to discover whether Conformity Gate is just wishful thinking. The conspiracy theorists think the supposed secret episode will drop on Jan. 7, which is when the Russian Orthodox Church celebrates Christmas. <\/p>\n The date makes sense. All three volumes of Stranger Things\u2019 final season dropped on major holidays \u2014 Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Year\u2019s Eve \u2014 and Russia played a significant role in the series. <\/p>\n So, is there a secret episode of \u201cStranger Things?\u201d Much like Mike\u2019s theory that Eleven is really alive somewhere living next to three waterfalls, fans can believe whatever they want to believe. <\/p>\n \u201cStranger Things\u201d is <\/b><\/i>available to stream on Netflix<\/b><\/i><\/a>. <\/b><\/i><\/p>\n![\"STRANGER](\"https:\/\/www.nj.com\/resizer\/v2\/HQ2OJCM6GRF43MFDTRRGKPT7DI.jpg?auth=ee9befc55442b5c64cca3954f74f33aea7dc2a3d89c4564c659fbd3cd5b0e542&width=1280&smart=true&quality=90\")