A popular “Stranger Things” theory called “Conformity Gate” is quickly taking over the internet, leading fans to believe the hit Netflix show’s episode 8 finale was nothing but a fake-out.
The theory, which has fans hoping for the release of a secret ninth episode of the show’s fifth and final season, pieces together easter eggs, parallels, and moments deemed as “plot holes,” to prove that the beloved main characters didn’t defeat Vecna after all. And the surprise, “real” finale will prove it Jan. 7 on Netflix.
Here’s a glimpse inside what fans are thinking.
What is ‘Conformity Gate’ for ‘Stranger Things’ fans?
‘Conformity Gate’ essentially consists of the Easter eggs fans have gathered as evidence that seem to point to proof that everything isn’t OK in Hawkins after all.
From the way that everyone at the graduation had their hands like Henry Creel’s to the parallels and “plot holes” fans are calling out, to the way the Dungeons and Dragons books lined up to say “X A LIE,” fans think that what happened in Dimension X was all a lie.
Is ‘Stranger Things’ releasing another episode Jan. 7?
Fans think there are a lot of signs, Easter eggs and more to support the theory that Season 5 Episode 8 was a total fake-out.
They believe Vecna has a hold on the characters and the audience to give them a completely made-up vision and a happy ending.
The reality, in fans’ minds, is that the Mind Flayer wasn’t defeated after all and Vecna won. And that there’s another episode still coming.
Fans think there’s going to be a hidden, secret episode that is the real.
Why do fans think a secret ‘Stranger Things’ episode 9 would come out Jan. 7?
There’s a lot of numerology being thrown around about the number 7 in Season 5, plus Jan. 7 is also Orthodox Christmas Day, which would — in this theory — track with previous Season 5 release dates:
- Thanksgiving Eve, Nov. 26, 2025
- Christmas Day, Dec. 25, 2025
- New Year’s Eve, Dec. 31, 2025
What is november61987.com? ‘Stranger Things’ website countdown
Another piece of evidence some “Stranger Things” fans are holding onto is a mysterious website, november61987.com.
Nov. 6, 1983, marks the date that Noah Schnapp’s character, Will Byers, went missing and was taken to the Upside Down. The events of Season 5 take place in 1987, leading up to the anniversary.
On the site, there is a countdown, which stops at 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan 7.
Is there going to be a Stranger Things 6?
No.
The fifth season of “Stranger Things” is the final season, but there are two confirmed spin-offs in the works. The first spin-off, “Stranger Things: Tales of ‘85,” is an animated series, set to take place between Seasons 2 and 3 of the original show.
The second spin-off is a bit more of a mystery with “no common characters,” Creators Matt and Ross Duffer told Variety. It will go into the unresolved parts of the finale like the rock found in Henry Creel’s briefcase.
“The spinoff is going to delve into that and explain that, and you’re going to understand it,” Matt Duffer said. “But it’s a completely different mythology. So it’s not a deep exploration of the Mind Flayer or anything like that. It’s very fresh and very new, but yes, it will answer some of the loose threads that are remaining.”
Which ‘Stranger Things’ character are you? Take Open Psychometrics character quiz
Open-Source Psychometrics is offering a statistical personality quiz that includes characters from “Stranger Things.”
The dataset has 15 characters from “Stranger Things.”
They are:
- Eleven
- Joyce Byers
- Jim Hopper
- Dustin Henderson
- Robin Buckley
- Will Byers
- Max Mayfield
- Nancy Wheeler
- Steve Harrington
- Mike Wheeler
- Billy Hargrove
- Lucas Sinclair
- Jonathan Byers
- Erica Sinclair
- Karen Wheeler
>>Click here to take the quiz.
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