Stranger Things has ended, or has it? The final season and finale had mixed reactions. Many fans were left disappointed due to perceived plot holes. Enter Conformity Gate, a fan theory that episode eight was not the last episode and that there will be a secret finale released on January 7th.
The theory posits that Vecna is not really dead and that the main characters are instead under his curse. Fans have collected a series of clues, some of which appear slightly convincing while others seem to be grasping at straws.
@meechski Conformity Gate Theory Explained: A secret episode of Stranger Things coming out on January 7th??? 😭 #StrangerThings #StrangerThings5 #conformitygate #Netflix ♬ Suspense, horror, piano and music box – takaya
The supposed clues span both show elements and what fans believe are guerrilla marketing tactics. Within the show, fans noticed that all the students in the graduation scene seem to be sitting with their hands held on their laps in a Vecna-esque manner. Posts have also speculated on whether extras were intentionally breaking the fourth wall in epilogue scenes. One at the graduation and another during Hopper’s proposal. Detractors of the theory were quick to point out that the extras were not looking at the camera but instead at the public proposal.
Online sleuths have pieced together lines of dialogue from the final season where characters say “none of this is real” as well as Lucas’ line “I don’t believe in coincidences.” There is a moment of sound mixing that could be confused with Vecna’s clock and board games lying around the Wheeler basement that say “Whatsit”. Lastly, in Eddie’s game of D&D in season four, when Vecna is initially introduced via an action figure, he is revived after the game players initially thought he was dead.
@nostolgiic CONFORMITY GATE.. Been seeing this false finale theory make it’s rounds… 👀 I’m not sure if I totally believe in 9th episode, but I do know there’s something weird about this finale and I’m interested in seeing what happens with it | #strangerthings #conformitygate #vecna #fyp #mikewheeler ♬ original sound – Nostolgiic™
As for Guerrilla marketing, fans have searched the keyword “fake ending” in the Netflix search bar, and Stranger Thingsis the only result. As well as TikTok by Netflix relating to Stranger Things, with the #WhatNext.
@tw1xi3 OH MY GOD !!! #fyp #conformitygate #strangerthings #theory #proof ♬ original sound – oɹǝɥsuᴉʞʍɐɥ
Large-scale sci-fi and fantasy shows often have divisive endings. The complex plots and large casts of characters are difficult to land and often leave questions unanswered. The final season of Game Of Thrones did not get the reception it had hoped with fans even petitioning for it to be redone. The clues from Conformity Gate are likely disgruntled fans collecting small pieces of information that confirm their bias.