Internet detectives delved into another intense conspiracy theory, igniting excitement among Stranger Things fans who speculated about the possibility of additional episodes following the series finale.
The popular Netflix sci-fi series concluded its five-season run on New Year’s Day (January 1) with an extensive epilogue designed to quench audiences’ curiosity about the fate of the Hawkins crew after their showdown with Vecna in the Upside Down.
However, for many fans, subtle hints and seemingly suggestive nods led to speculation that the final episode might not be the end, sparking a new theory that even caused a temporary crash of Netflix servers.
This alleged conspiracy, dubbed ‘Conformity Gate’, quickly gained traction as thousands of TikTok users shared observations supporting the theory that more content from season five might still be unveiled.
The primary focus of Conformity Gate revolved around the extended epilogue, where the young characters transition into their new lives, seemingly free from the Upside Down’s dark forces.
Fans theorized that this sequence was actually an illusion crafted by Vecna, suggesting that the show’s creators, the Duffer Brothers, might have withheld something.
Despite the Duffer Brothers consistently denying the existence of additional or alternative endings, the rumor mill continued to churn.
On TikTok, clips and screenshots from the final season were dissected by fans trying to construct a theory that would make the ending more coherent or satisfying.
Discussions involved counting background character numbers, references to the number seven, and identifying inconsistencies throughout season five.
These observations of inconsistencies, particularly in scenes featuring various characters and props, fueled the Conformity Gate rumors even further.
Then, Netflix released an unrelated cryptic X post suggesting subscribers watch for something on January 7, further fueling speculation among fans.
One X user commented, “The entire Stranger Things fandom currently in a collective psychosis coming up with a theory called Conformity Gate as a coping mechanism because the Duffers’ writing was genuinely THAT bad.”
With fans firmly believing in the theory, a large number flocked to Netflix at 7 pm on January 7, causing a brief server outage. Despite this, some fans still suspect that the show might have unreleased content.
Even Vecna’s actor, Jamie Campbell Bower, addressed the issue during an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, describing the final episode as ‘the ending the show deserves’.
He elaborated: “Even as the actor that plays Vecna, like, it just – it feels right. You know, the show is so much about friendship and love and hope and joy.
“And of course, like, the person who is not that has to go, you know?”