Warning: This article contains significant spoilers for Stranger Things
Bringing a major TV series to a close often creates mixed reactions, and this can be seen with shows like Game of Thrones and Friends.
The series Stranger Things recently reached its conclusion, with the two-hour finale being released on Netflix on January 1st, marking the end of its decade-long journey.
Ending such an influential series was a challenging task, and fans had been theorizing about potential outcomes since the release of season five in December, increasing the anticipation and expectations.
It has now been disclosed that while all the main characters of Stranger Things survive, Eleven’s destiny is left somewhat ambiguous.
Initially, it seems that Eleven has sacrificed herself by staying in the Upside Down. However, after an 18-month time jump, Mike hints that Eleven may have survived, suggesting that Kali, who was presumed dead, might have deceived everyone into thinking Eleven had died.
In response, the Duffer Brothers, who created Stranger Things, have clarified the ending, rejecting any notion that Eleven could have remained with her friends.
“There was never a version of the story where Eleven was hanging out with the gang at the end. For our characters to move on and for the story of Hawkins and the Upside Down to come to a close, Eleven had to go away,” the siblings explained.
The time jump provided viewers with a sense of closure regarding the future of the Hawkins group. Mike, Will, Dustin, Lucas, and Max are shown preparing for their high school graduation and enjoying a final game of Dungeons and Dragons.
Dustin decides to attend college, Will moves to a large city, and Mike embarks on a career as a professional writer. Lucas and Max remain a couple, and Hopper proposes to Joyce.
Steve chooses to stay in Hawkins, Robin enrolls at Smith College, Jonathan heads to New York University, and Nancy starts working at The Boston Herald.
The Duffer Brothers expressed their desire for every character to “find happiness but in their own specific ways,” emphasizing that Eleven “lives on in their hearts.”
Netflix audiences have been divided on the series conclusion, with many quickly voicing their dissatisfaction, drawing parallels to the contentious Game of Thrones finale.
“Stranger Things after taking 10 years to end … only to end up having the worst finale in TV history since Killing Eve & Game of Thrones,” one user commented on X.
Another wrote: “Trying to decide if the final season of Stranger Things is worse than Game of Thrones or losts final seasons.”