The actor behind Stranger Things' iconic villain has stepped in to address a swirling fan theory, seemingly putting to bed speculation that a secret final episode is still to come.
What is the 'Conformity Gate' Theory?
Following the release of the show's fifth and final season on New Year's Day 2026, a segment of the fanbase expressed disappointment with the concluding epilogue. This discontent spawned a theory, nicknamed 'Conformity Gate', which gained significant traction on platforms like TikTok. The theory posits that the lengthy final sequence—showing the young leads moving on with their lives after the supernatural events in Hawkins—was not real. Instead, fans speculated it was an elaborate illusion crafted by the defeated villain, Vecna.
To support this idea, eagle-eyed viewers meticulously analysed the epilogue, searching for clues. They pointed to details such as the placement of extras in graduation scenes and the positioning of background characters' hands, noting similarities to Vecna's human alias, Henry Creel. Others cited perceived continuity errors with props as further evidence. The theory was fuelled by a cryptic Netflix post referencing Wednesday 7 January with the caption "Your future is on the way," leading some to believe a secret episode would drop on that date. No such episode has appeared.
Jamie Campbell Bower's Definitive Statement
Jamie Campbell Bower, who portrays Vecna/Henry Creel, directly addressed the speculation during an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. He firmly stated that the aired finale was, in fact, the true and intended conclusion for the beloved series.
"It's the ending the show deserves," Campbell Bower asserted. "Even as the actor that plays Vecna, like, it just – it feels right." He elaborated by connecting the finale's outcome to the show's core themes, adding, "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?"
His comments align with previous statements from the show's creators, the Duffer brothers, who have maintained that multiple endings were not filmed.
Fan Division and the Eleven Controversy
The debate has sharply divided the Stranger Things fandom. While some clung to the 'Conformity Gate' theory, others criticised it as a coping mechanism for a disappointing conclusion. One user on X (formerly Twitter) 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."
A central point of controversy in the finale itself was the ambiguous fate of Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown). She appears to die destroying the Upside Down, but a future scene shows her alive, leaving her survival intentionally unclear. Series co-creator Ross Duffer stated that "she lives on in their hearts, whether that’s real or not," a narrative choice that has frustrated many viewers seeking definitive answers.
With the star of the show now weighing in, the door on a secret episode appears to be firmly closed, leaving fans to interpret the provided ending as the series' final chapter.
