Stranger Things’ “Dumb” Conformity Gate Theories Addressed By Star After Divisive Finale

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It’s tough saying goodbye to a show you love, particularly one that’s been on for so long. But with Stranger Things officially finished, one of its stars is confirming that it’s really over.

Netflix’s hit sci-fi show, Stranger Things, quickly became popular thanks to its talented young actors, like Finn Wolfhard, Millie Bobby Brown, Noah Schnapp, and others. The series is set in the town of Hawkins, which is terrorized by mysterious creatures and monsters that start kidnapping kids. The town’s residents – especially the children – have to fight to protect their families and save their town.

Caleb McLaughlin, promoting his new animated film GOAT, recently spoke with The Hollywood Reporter about the speculation surrounding the ending of Stranger Things. Fans created a viral theory called “Conformity Gate,” suggesting the finale wasn’t a true ending but part of the villain Vecna’s scheme, fueled by hopes the show would continue.

Initially, I dismissed the idea that the show would continue indefinitely. I understood the desire for more ‘Stranger Things,’ but I felt it was unrealistic after so long. I think people misunderstood the show’s core themes and got carried away with the possibility of more seasons. Ultimately, I believe the continued storyline exists solely within Mike’s perspective and is a narrative device, something that was present even from the very beginning.

Look, as a critic, I can tell you McLaughlin isn’t entertaining any fan theories about what happened in the finale. He’s flat-out said he believes Eleven, played by Brown, is gone – and his co-star, Sink, agrees. This all stems from a lot of fan disappointment with the ending, which sparked this ‘Conformity Gate’ idea all over social media. Basically, people aren’t happy with how things wrapped up.

Image via Netflix

Okay, so the final season of Stranger Things definitely had a lot of buzz – and not all of it good. The Duffer brothers, the creators, really faced some heat, especially after the behind-the-scenes documentary, One Last Adventure: The Making of Stranger Things 5, came out. It revealed something pretty shocking: they hadn’t even finished writing the script for the final episode while they were filming! It made me question how much of the season was planned versus just figuring it out as they went along, and honestly, it was a bit unsettling to learn.

McLaughlin is currently working with David Harbour, his co-star from Stranger Things, to promote his new animated sports comedy, GOAT. In the movie, McLaughlin plays the lead role.

All seasons of Stranger Things are available to stream on Netflix now.

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2026-02-15 23:08