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Credit: NetflixWhat’s really going on with the Stranger Things “secret episode” (find out more here)?
The Stranger Things Season 5 finale hasn’t been without its fair share of controversy. In fact, the same can be said about the fifth and final season as a whole.
From viewers complaining about Will Byers’ coming-out scene to online petitions demanding extended cuts, the finale has proven to be extremely divisive among fans.
But the drama doesn’t end there. Over the past few days, many fans have put forward the “fake ending” theory, a claim that “Chapter Eight: The Rightside Up” is nothing more than a bait-and-switch and that a “true ending” will be released on Netflix on January 7 (it hasn’t).
The Stranger Things “Fake Ending” Theory Explained
Many fans are convinced that the finale’s epilogue — which picks up 18 months after the characters defeat Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower), a battle that ultimately costs Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) her life when she dies in an explosion that destroys the Upside Down — to find Mike Wheeler (Finn Wolfhard) and the rest of the gang learning how to move on from everything that’s happened.
The theory proposes that the epilogue is nothing more than a telepathically constructed dream created by Vecna, in the same way he conjured up the simulation where he imprisoned Max Mayfield (Sadie Sink) and Holly Wheeler (Nell Fisher) during the fifth season. As such, fans are convinced that a “secret episode” will give fans the true ending.
This theory has been dubbed the “fake ending” theory or “Conformity Gate”.
Some even believe that the upcoming Season 5 documentary film “One Last Adventure”, which premieres on Netflix on January 12, is actually the secret episode in question.
Related: New ‘Stranger Things’ Season 5 Film Gets Trailer and Release Date Amid Viral “Fake Ending” Theory
The Theory Has Now Been Addressed
Not only have the Duffer brothers confirmed that “The Rightside Up” is the ending, having also recently told Tudum that “there was never a version of the story where Eleven was hanging out with the gang at the end”, which puts to bed the rumors of an extended cut, two actors from the series have now been asked for their thoughts on the “fake ending” theory.
During an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Sadie Sink, who plays Max Mayfield in the Netflix series, was asked whether or not she thinks Eleven is really dead, in response to the reveal in the epilogue that suggests she may be alive and in hiding.
“I think she’s dead,” she said. “Is that like a hot take or something? I think Mike’s story is like just one last story, and that’s like — then they say goodbye to childhood. But that’s just one final tale, and that’s it.”
She added: “I think it’s just like a coping thing. I think it’s stronger, right? That’s my interpretation.”
Jamie Campbell Bower, who plays Henry Creel, AKA Vecna, also appeared on the show, during which he was asked more specifically about the “fake ending” theory.
“Yeah. It’s the ending the show deserves. I mean, I’m like — I’ve been a fan of the show since the start, so, like, even just joining the show was a huge achievement, I suppose,” he said.
“And just, like, I felt very honored and blessed to be a part of it,” he added.
“Yeah. And 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? [ Laughter ] All he really needs is a hug, though.”
So there you have it — there is no extended cut, no fake ending, and no secret episode.
Confirmed Stranger Things Content
Further to those comments, there is no new content on the streamer as of today, January 7, with the most recent Stranger Things entry being the Season 5 finale.
Although, we’ll admit that it is strange and rather suspicious that when you type in “fake ending” on Netflix, it does turn up Season 5 in the results.
Upcoming content that’s been confirmed includes the documentary film “One Last Adventure” (Jan. 12), a new Dead by Daylight x Stranger Things chapter coming on January 27, and the animated series Tales From ’85, which is due on Netflix later this year.
There’s also a live-action spinoff that will center on the “briefcase rock” in the works.
Watch Stranger Things on Netflix Now
Stranger Things seasons 1 — 5 are streaming on Netflix.
Stranger Things Season 5 stars Gaten Matarazzo (Dustin Henderson), Caleb McLaughlin (Lucas Sinclair), Finn Wolfhard (Mike Wheeler), Noah Schnapp (Will Byers), Millie Bobby Brown (Eleven), Winona Ryder (Joyce Byers), David Harbour (Jim Hopper), Joe Keery (Steve Harrington), Natalia Dyer (Nancy Wheeler), Maya Hawke (Robin Buckley), Charlie Heaton (Jonathan Byers), Brett Gelman (Murray Bauman), Nell Fisher (Holly Wheeler), Priah Ferguson (Erica Sinclair), Sadie Sink (Max Mayfield), Jamie Campbell Bower (Vecna/Henry Creel), Cara Buono (Karen Wheeler), and Linda Hamilton (Dr. Kay).
Were you hoping for a “secret episode” or were you satisfied with the ending you got? Let us know in the comments down below!