With the final episode of Stranger Things just hours away, dedicated fans of the Netflix phenomenon are on high alert after spotting a deeply worrying clue in the show's last trailer.
The Final Countdown to Hawkins' End
The global hit series is set to conclude with the release of its fifth and final season's epic finale on New Year's Day. Titled The Right Side Up, the concluding chapter will land on Netflix in the UK at 1am on 1 January, promising a marathon runtime of two hours and eight minutes. This marks the end of a lengthy wait for viewers, who last had new episodes back in 2022 with Season 4, and many have been left emotional over what they call the "end of an era".
Trailer Analysis Sparks Panic
The final trailer, released this week, serves as a poignant montage, revisiting the intense battles fought by Eleven, played by Millie Bobby Brown, and Will Byers (Noah Schnapp) over the years. In a powerful voiceover, Jim Hopper (David Harbour) urges Eleven to "fight one last time," acknowledging her stolen childhood and resilience.
However, it was the trailer's omissions, not its inclusions, that sent the fanbase into a spiral of anxiety. Eagle-eyed viewers quickly noted the suspiciously minimal presence, or complete absence, of several beloved characters. Notably, fan-favourite Steve Harrington was barely seen, while Mike Wheeler also had scant screen time.
Fan Theories Point to Heartbreak
This editing choice has ignited widespread fear that these characters may meet a fatal end in the finale. On YouTube, one concerned fan commented, "The lack of Steve in this trailer is concerning," a sentiment echoed by many. Another wrote, "Dustin being held back while screaming makes me extremely concerned about Steve," referencing a brief shot of Gaten Matarazzo's Dustin Henderson mourning an apparent loss.
Theories have run rampant on social media platform X, with one viewer stating, "2 people are suspiciously absent from this trailer." Another speculated bluntly, "Steve is not anywhere in most of the trailer. Unfortunately it looks like he died." Some fans have even predicted Mike's demise, suggesting his repeated talks of a future with Eleven may be tragic foreshadowing designed to spark her final rage.
As the clock ticks down to the 1am release, the Stranger Things fandom is braced for an emotional and potentially devastating conclusion to the story that has defined a generation of television. All will be revealed when the finale streams on Netflix.
