Stranger Things Finale: Why Conformity Gate Misses the Point

Stranger Things has always been about the outcasts sticking together, right to the bitter end. Now, with the final roll of the dice, some fans simply refuse to accept that the Hawkins crew’s journey has wrapped up for good. After the Duffer Brothers’ swansong, ‘The Rightside Up’, aired, a section of the audience became convinced that the story wasn’t quite finished. Their theory? A secret episode, hidden in plain sight, would drop on Netflix on 7 January. This notion, dubbed Conformity Gate, quickly took on a life of its own, with viewers poring over every glance to camera, every continuity slip, and even the colour of graduation robes, searching for evidence that Vecna still held Hawkins in his grip.

Social media, as ever, fanned the flames. A seemingly innocent nod to the show’s debut and those graduation gowns—supposedly reminiscent of prison uniforms—were seized upon as proof that the town’s nightmare wasn’t over. The idea that a ‘real’ ending was just around the corner gained traction, even as Netflix and the cast quietly debunked the theory. Still, some diehards are holding out, convinced that another twist is imminent. It’s a fitting tribute, in a way, to a series that’s always celebrated the art of spinning a good yarn, that its fans would want to keep the story alive, even after the credits roll.

The Allure of Fan Theories and the TikTok Effect

For some, the finale played things a bit too safe. Those rooting for a Will and Mike romance—Byler shippers, as they’re known—were left wanting. In the aftermath, theories like Conformity Gate have become a way for viewers to fill in the blanks, to find community with others who felt let down by the ending. But there’s a question lurking beneath all this speculation: when does theorising cross the line from fun to far-fetched? And how do you navigate a digital landscape where a single AI-generated video can upend what’s meant to be a finished tale?

Stranger Things, one of the first global streaming juggernauts to conclude in the TikTok and AI era, has unleashed a tidal wave of fan content. From elaborate breakdowns to creative edits, the online response has been enormous—matched only by the backlash. As Netflix prepares to release a documentary promising some closure, the reaction to the finale prompts a look at how a show steeped in 1980s nostalgia interacts with a hyper-online, parasocial audience. Conformity Gate, for all its inventiveness, risks pulling focus from the finale’s actual achievements and the series’ many influences.

Loose Ends and the Nature of Endings

It’s not hard to see why some viewers are frustrated. The last episode leaves a fair few threads dangling—what became of the Demogorgons, or Max’s mum, or those expectant mothers? Did the military just melt away? After investing nearly a decade in these characters, it’s no wonder that perceived plot holes jar with our expectations of a satisfying send-off. Audiences, perhaps jaded by the sheer volume of new shows and the relentless scrutiny they receive online, seem less willing than ever to accept ambiguity or imperfection in a finale.

Yet, if you look back at beloved classics, it’s clear that open-ended conclusions are nothing new. Take the way Stephen King’s Pennywise/It is handled on screen—no one really questions the origins of that cosmic horror. The anticlimactic defeat of the villain in the ‘90s miniseries, and even in more recent films, isn’t so different from the final Mind Flayer showdown. Stranger Things has borrowed this formula, making it its own, with high-octane action but relatively modest stakes.

Looking Back and Moving On

There’s nothing wrong with wanting answers to lingering questions, but a finale that doesn’t tie everything up with a neat bow isn’t necessarily a failure. We’ve been here before, and Stranger Things is hardly the worst offender when it comes to divisive endings. It’s easy to imagine the show being reappraised in years to come, much like Lost, once the dust from Conformity Gate settles and nostalgia takes hold.

Despite the fifth series’ foray into quantum physics and the revelation that the Upside Down is, in fact, a wormhole, the show’s mythology remains refreshingly straightforward. At its heart, it’s about the characters and their relationships, grounded in the everyday. ‘The Rightside Up’ delivers a farewell that, while not flawless, feels true to that spirit.

Whether the finale earns a spot among the greats or remains a divisive talking point, it’s hard to deny the cultural impact it’s had. In an age of shrinking attention spans and the constant search for the next big thing, Stranger Things has managed to create a moment that’s unlikely to be repeated. The conversation will move on, as it always does, but the show stands as a viral milestone for the streaming generation, no matter where you land on its conclusion.