I Don’t Buy Stranger Things Fans’ Extra Episode Theories, But I Do Need A Few Baffling Details Explained By The Duffers

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Okay, so just a heads-up for anyone planning to dive into the fifth and final season of Stranger Things – there will be spoilers! You’ll need a Netflix subscription to watch it, of course, but be warned, I’m about to talk about things that happen in the show!

Though the main story of Stranger Things concluded last year, discussions about the series finale are still happening, and will likely continue for a while. One popular fan theory, called “Conformity Gate,” suggests a hidden extra episode is planned for January 7th, secretly intended by the creators, the Duffer Brothers, to fix plot holes and inconsistencies. While I don’t believe this theory myself, I do understand why some details have fans talking and debating online.

What Is Conformity Gate?

A popular theory circulating on platforms like TikTok and X (formerly Twitter) proposes that Season 5 contained hidden clues suggesting we weren’t seeing the real story, but a version influenced by Vecna’s power. According to this idea, the story of Stranger Things isn’t finished – the true ending will arrive on January 7th.

To be frank, I don’t believe the show will continue. Interviews with the creators, the Duffer brothers, suggest that Eleven’s story concluded with the eighth episode, “The Rightside Up.” The use of Prince’s “Purple Rain” in that episode felt like a perfect ending song. The idea that a major plot point like Conformity Gate would remain a secret within the entertainment industry seems unlikely to me.

However, the documentary doesn’t resolve all the problems from season five, and that’s why the theory focuses on the date of January 7th.

Some Unaddressed Plot Details

When Episode 8 came out, many viewers noticed some plot holes, such as how Max could graduate after being in a coma for almost two years and how Dustin became valedictorian. I was also still wondering about inconsistencies from the first part of the season – specifically, why Joyce got Will’s age wrong and why a flashback didn’t line up with what we already knew from Season 2.

There are also moments noted by eagle-eyed viewers that fit with the theory. One of my favorites can been seen in a photo that Noah Schnapp posted on Instagram after Episode 8, with letters on the D&D books (sort of) lining up for “X A LIE,” which could be a sign that there’s more to the story of Dimension X, a.k.a. The Abyss. Click through to the tenth pic and see for yourself:

As a huge fan, I’ve been diving deep into all the little details, and it’s led me down the ‘Conformity Gate’ rabbit hole. It’s these weird, unsettling things – like everyone in the graduation scene sitting with their hands crossed in this strangely similar way, almost like they’re being controlled. Then there’s that shot of the audience just staring directly at the camera, which is seriously creepy. And it’s not just atmosphere; people have pointed out inconsistencies like props changing color. Even little things, like Jonathan and Will’s watches not showing the actual time in the final scenes (according to What’s On Netflix), add to the feeling that something’s off. Honestly, the show built up the number 12 as being really important for the kids, but the finale just…didn’t address it. It all feels a little too deliberate to be accidental, you know?

Because the ending left so many questions unanswered, it’s easy to see why viewers disappointed with the finale might imagine an extra episode that could resolve everything.

Possible Real-Life Clues For Conformity Gate

I’ve been exploring the ‘Conformity Gate’ theory, and I found something interesting on Netflix. A promotional video released on Christmas Day, called “Your Future is on its Way,” briefly shows clips from upcoming shows, including Stranger Things. The video’s YouTube caption says “What Next? Jan 7, 2026.” It’s a slightly eerie video – it has a bit of an Upside Down vibe if you look closely!

Fans are buzzing with theories about the new Stranger Things teaser. Could the silver cat be a reference to a secret message from Season 3? Are the posters at the bus stop a hidden clue? And what does “next” on January 7th mean? Some even wonder if the video’s creepy atmosphere hints at Vecna’s powers. Or is it simply a teaser created before the #ConformityGate trend took off, with no hidden significance?

Even after the video went live, one episode, “The Rightside Up,” still hadn’t been released – it came out on December 31st. All the other shows featured in the video aren’t scheduled to premiere until 2026. It seems odd that Stranger Things was included in a video that also mentioned January 7th.

Let’s consider some recent appearances that might be promoting the show: Sadie Sink was on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on January 5th, and Finn Wolfhard is scheduled to host Saturday Night Live soon. These appearances seem to be happening even though the latest episodes have already been released, unless the theory about everything being pre-planned is correct.

Is Conformity Gate Real?

If I seem like I’m starting to believe it myself, that’s thanks to all the fans who put the clues together. If the theory turns out to be true, the person who first came up with it deserves ultimate bragging rights! And honestly, I’m happy to believe it – I’m on Team “I Believe” when it comes to what happens with Eleven. We all deal with the endings of shows we love in our own way, don’t we?

I believe any mistakes in consistency were simply oversights that weren’t noticed until after filming. For instance, a clear Under Armour logo on Holly Wheeler’s sleeve was later removed in Volume 2. I think things that look like hidden clues are probably just random coincidences. Also, Stranger Things being featured in a promotional video on January 7th suggests Netflix will soon share details about a new documentary, One Last Adventure: The Making of Stranger Things 5, which comes out on January 12th.

This isn’t the first time rumors have spiraled out of control regarding Season 5. Some viewers previously claimed large scenes were removed to justify aspects of the show they disliked. However, Randy Havens, the actor who played Mr. Clarke, quickly dismissed these claims in an Instagram Story (as reported by EW), stating there’s no hidden extended version of the show and urging fans not to believe everything they read online.

The reason Stranger Things appears when you search “Conformity Gate” on Netflix is a mystery to me, though Emily in Paris also shows up in the results. The idea that the creators secretly filmed and kept a ninth episode hidden for so long seems far-fetched. Considering the season was marketed as a finale, had a wide theatrical release, and ended with credits that definitively closed the story, I don’t think there’s more to it than what we’ve already seen.

We’ll soon find out if the popular theory about Stranger Things is true! You can watch for yourself on Netflix starting January 7 – either to see if “Conformity Gate” is real, or just to enjoy all five seasons of the show. And don’t miss the behind-the-scenes documentary, One Last Adventure: The Making of Stranger Things 5, which premieres on Monday, January 12.

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2026-01-06 14:10