By Blake Kim
Spoilers Ahead!
With the production of Stranger Things Season 5, many new conspiracy theories have come to fruition. I am extremely excited to continue viewing the next episodes of the three-part release, and here are some of the most popular theories so far.
- Will’s Powers:
During the final scene of the first 4 episodes, Will discovers his psychic abilities and protects his friends by killing three demogorgans. His powers are most likely permanent because they are directly connected to the hive mind; his psychic output is connected to Dimension X, which demonstrates how he can use it from miles away. As a result of his connection, many believe that Will must sacrifice himself to ensure the hive mind dies with Vecna, fully severing Vecna’s link to the human world. This theory makes a lot of sense, as saving Will has been a prominent goal in the series so far. Since Season 5 is the finale, a good way to bring the show to a close is to sacrifice Will.
- The True Villain:
A growing theory suggests that Henry Creel (Vecna) is NOT the ultimate villain, but a victim corrupted by the Mind Flayer (the prominent villain in seasons 3 and 4). In previous seasons, the Mind Flayer possessed characters like Will and Billy, using them to invade the human world. Utilizing Vecna is extremely effective because of his strong psychic powers and traumatic past; in the Stranger Things play, Creel seems terrified of the Mind Flayer, which might show that he has been ‘flayed.’ This theory leads to a possible redemption for Creel, as he might find a way out of the Mind Flayers’ corruption and help the others finally sever the connection from the upside-down to the human world.
- D&D Game:
The show begins with the kids playing Dungeons & Dragons in Mike’s basement, and many speculate that the show might end in the same basement, saying ‘it was all just a game.’ Personally, I think this is a terrible way to end the show, kind of depreciating the emotional investment all of us have made in the show.
- Jonathan’s Death:
During season 5, both Jonathan and Steve have competed over Nancy’s attention, such as when they race up the electrical tower in hopes of fixing the radio connection. Later, Jonathan uncovers a ring in hopes of soon asking Nancy to marry him. Many believe that Jonathan and Steve’s competition will end in a sacrifice, closing with Jonathan handing Steve his ring on his deathbed. Personally, I think this would be a great addition to the series. None of the core characters has sacrificed themselves or died, kind of making the show a little bit dry from start to finish.
- Conformity Gate:
After the newest and final episode, many fans seem unsatisfied, largely due to numerous major plot holes and subpar acting. The conformity gate, a massive theory on TikTok and Twitter, presents the idea of a ninth episode. Many believe Vecna formulated the entire ending, and the gang (Will, Mike, Max, Lucas, etc.) is stuck in a trance of a ‘perfect’ life (similar to the one Mr. WhatsIt provided to the children he took). Some evidence: When you search up Conformity Gate on Netflix, only Stranger Things shows up. Many characters during the graduation and entire epilogue sit and stand in a way almost identical to Henry Creel. Certain props like the voltage dial have changed colors, mirroring the way Vecna’s previous illusions would also be slightly off and show Holly Wheeler to follow.