How we know the 'Stranger Things' conformity gate fan theory isn't real
Some "Stranger Things" fans may be having a hard time saying goodbye.
The Netflix show has even taken to its social media bios to remind viewers that "ALL EPISODES OF STRANGER THINGS ARE NOW PLAYING," after a fan conspiracy theory dubbed "conformity gate," which claims a secret bonus episode of the show will be released, took off online. Proponents of the theory claimed the alleged bonus episode would be released on Jan. 7.
One part of the theory suggests that because Vecna, the series' central villain, can make people hallucinate, the events of the series finale will be revealed to be a trick in the "real" finale.
While some viewers may have been less than satisfied with its conclusion, "Stranger Things" officially aired its series finale on New Year's Eve, Dec. 31. There is no indication that any additional episodes are coming.
Randy Havens, who plays teacher Scott Clarke, also shot down the theories on Threads, writing, "Yes it's the actual finale I'm sorry to all the conspiracy theorists but that's actually and truly the end of 'Stranger Things.'"
USA TODAY has reached out to Netflix for comment.
The conformity gate fan theory comes after some viewers raised a similarly debunked fan theory that significant cuts were made to the newest season in response to what some deemed poor storytelling. There has been no evidence to support the claims, but despite this, a Change.org petition demanding the release of the "unseen footage" has attracted nearly 400,000 signatures.
Havens previously took to Instagram to assure viewers there is "no secret Snyder cut of the show," referring to Zack Snyder's director's cut of "Justice League."
"Stranger Things" creators Matt and Ross Duffer also debunked claims of cut scenes in an interview with Variety. "Obviously, that's not a real thing," Matt Duffer said, while Ross Duffer added, "I don't think there's a single cut scene in the entire season."
"The show has just grown so massive," Matt Duffer told Variety. "Online, there's just so much misinformation. Just tons of it. We would be here for hours trying to bat down the stuff that was not true. But at the end of the day, hopefully the work speaks for itself, and it is the show that Ross and I wanted to make."
What may be adding fuel to the fire is the series' ambiguous ending. But in interviews after the finale, the Duffers said they intentionally left it that way so fans would decide what happened for themselves.
The Duffers also said on the "Happy Sad Confused" podcast that they don't intend to ever revisit the "Stranger Things" characters, affirming the series finale is how they wanted to close the book.
Not everyone is having a hard time saying goodbye. Star Noah Schnapp talked to USA TODAY about the bittersweet ending of the series, saying while he is "so sad" for the conclusion, "If we had another season of 'Stranger Things,' it would just be so tired. This is the perfect time to end it."
The series may be over, but more "Stranger Things" content is in the works. A behind-the-scenes documentary, "One Last Adventure: The Making of Stranger Things 5," will premiere on Netflix on Jan. 12. A live-action spinoff series is also in development, and an animated series will debut in 2026.