The series finale of Stranger Things, titled "The Rightside Up" (Season 5, Episode 8), premiered on New Year's Eve, concluding the show's nearly decade-long run across 42 episodes. Creators Matt and Ross Duffer presented the culmination of storylines for its main characters from Hawkins, Indiana, and the parallel dimension known as the Upside Down, focusing on the final confrontation with Vecna and the Mind Flayer.
Core Themes Explored
Throughout its run, Stranger Things explored themes such as the 'David and Goliath' motif, which depicted unlikely heroes confronting powerful adversaries, drawing parallels to J.R.R. Tolkien's mythology. The core group of friends, including Mike, Dustin, Lucas, and Will, faced both local bullies and interdimensional entities like the Mind Flayer and Vecna. Their efforts were supported by Eleven, a young girl with telekinetic powers developed from U.S. government experiments, and other characters. The fifth season continued this theme, featuring Will's emerging abilities in confronting monsters and Holly's demonstrations of bravery.
Another recurring theme was honesty and trust, exemplified by Mike's early teaching to Eleven that 'friends don't lie.' Eleven's character arc often depicted her aversion to deception.
The Final Plan and Initial Challenges
The primary group, including Mike, prepared for a final engagement with Vecna and the Mind Flayer. Concurrently, the military's Wolf Pack unit, led by Dr. Kay, pursued the group. The antagonist, Henry/Vecna, held Holly and other children captive within the Pain Tree in the Upside Down.
Eleven and Kali entered Eleven's mind with the objective of locating and destroying Henry/Vecna. Meanwhile, the remaining characters proceeded to the Squawk tower at the Abyss, intending to detonate explosives in the Upside Down following Vecna's defeat. Murray assisted with the explosives, and Erica and Mr. Clarke provided additional support.
Complications and Confrontation
The initial plan encountered several complications. Eleven and Kali located Henry and the captive children. Vecna influenced Hopper, who was guarding Eleven's physical body, by creating a vision of his late daughter. Hopper overheard Kali stating that destroying Vecna would require Eleven and Kali's sacrifice, as their survival maintained a portal to the human realm and enabled military pursuit. Vecna then caused Hopper to hallucinate shooting Eleven, prompting Hopper to remove Eleven from the tank where she was meditating. This action pulled Eleven, Max, and Kali from the Upside Down. Holly subsequently guided the captive children to an escape cave.
Eleven and Kali then joined the others at the Abyss. Hopper expressed opposition to detonating the bomb if Eleven intended to sacrifice herself. Eleven conveyed, "I have to end the cycle." The Wolf Pack unit subsequently engaged the group, and Eleven used her powers to disarm the soldiers. During this confrontation, Kali was shot in the stomach and died, stating, "My story was always going to end here."
Will accessed Henry's mind, observing a childhood memory of Henry bludgeoning a scientist. Will addressed Henry, stating, “You’re just like me, Henry, a vessel.” Actor Noah Schnapp commented that Will recognized a similar path to Vecna but chose to resist. Henry then activated the Mind Flayer, initiating an attack against Steve, Nancy, Robin, Dustin, Lucas, and Will.
Eleven intervened, entering the Mind Flayer to confront Vecna, who was controlling it. Will engaged Vecna telepathically from outside while the rest of the group fired upon the Mind Flayer. Co-creator Matt Duffer noted that each character contributed to the final confrontation. The Mind Flayer was defeated after Eleven used her telekinetic powers to impale Vecna on a fang. The group then entered the Mind Flayer to rescue the children held in the Pain Tree. Vecna, severely injured, was then decapitated by Joyce with an axe. Joyce stated, "You fucked with the wrong family."
Eleven's Sacrifice and Aftermath
Following Vecna’s defeat, Dr. Kay and the military remained present, seeking Eleven. Eleven pulled Mike into a void and informed him of her intention to sacrifice herself, conveying, "I will always be with you. I love you." She then returned Mike to the real world and was consumed by the explosion that destroyed the Upside Down. Her presumed death also coincided with the termination of a government program associated with her.
The Upside Down ceased to exist, and military pursuit concluded. All characters, except for the presumed Eleven, survived. The narrative concluded with an extended epilogue depicting events such as high school graduation, Dustin becoming valedictorian, and the engagement of Joyce and Hopper. Robin, Nancy, Steve, and Jonathan discussed their past and affirmed their friendship.
Epilogue and Theories on Eleven's Fate
The series ended with the primary group, including Max, playing a game of Dungeons & Dragons. During the game, Mike posited a theory about the Mage character, representing Eleven. He hypothesized that Kali had cast a protective spell, making the Eleven who died an illusion intended to deter the military. Mike suggested the real Eleven was in a distant, unlocated area with three waterfalls, seeking a life of peace and anonymity. A subsequent scene depicted an individual resembling Eleven backpacking through a natural environment. The Duffer brothers did not confirm the veracity of Mike's theory, with Ross Duffer stating, "She lives on in their hearts, whether that’s real or not."
Other characters present during Mike's theory displayed an emotional reaction. Mike clarified that his account was "just a theory." Post-finale, some viewers interpreted Mike's theory as an indication of Eleven's actual survival, while other interpretations suggested the ending, through elements like Hopper's guidance to Mike regarding loss, aimed to convey a theme of accepting Eleven's fate rather than her literal survival. Holly and her friends continued the Dungeons & Dragons game. The series concluded without a post-credits scene or further plot developments.
Cultural Impact
Stranger Things has been recognized as a significant cultural touchstone since its debut in July 2016. The series is anticipated to hold importance for Generation Z, similar to how it has evoked 1980s nostalgia for older audiences, potentially influencing future media references.