Netflix Stranger Things Conformity Gate Theory Explained: It’s been just a week since Stranger Things finally ended its glorious run on Netflix as one of their most successful shows ever. However, the fans aren’t ready to let go, and they think that the creators are in the same boat. A theory called the Conformity Gate has taken over the entire internet, and its believers argue that the Stranger Things finale episode is in fact an illusion created by Vecna. Social media is filled with posts highlighting certain hints and inconsistencies which point towards something shady and strange — and a Stranger Things Season 5 Episode 9.
What is Stranger Things Conformity Gate?
In the final episode, the entire gang takes the fight to Vecna and challenges him in the Pain Tree, which ends up being the Mind Flayer itself. Eleven rushes inside the body of the Flayer in order to square off with Vecna by herself. The gang support from the outside by attacking the Flayer. With the help of Will Byers’ newfound powers and some youthful exuberance, the gang is able to achieve their objective and defeat Vecna. Soon we see Eleven go into the Upside Down in order to ensure that her friends stay safe in the real world.
The emotional sacrifice proves to be one of the most heartbreaking moments in the series, but fans soon get some good news as well. All the kids and their young adult contemporaries end up doing good for themselves. Valedictorian plaques, new jobs, and fresh opportunities all come knocking, and that is when the fans start doubting the story. They believe that all this is all a little too perfect to happen and that this is just an illusion created by Vecna.
Mike even has similar hairstyle and glasses as Henry, and as Lucas said, “I don’t believe in coincidences” pic.twitter.com/Hojv12bOwI
— jenny_lo (@jenny_lo27) January 3, 2026
A reality created by Vecna?
Screenshots of the graduation ceremony started going around the internet, where most of the actors in frame can be seen sitting just like the character of Henry (Vecna) used to sit. Other hints include the shorter hairstyles that the Wheeler family was rocking, which is again similar to Henry. Blank posters, radio tower dials that shift colours, and the last shot spelling out “X A LIE” (Dimension X is a lie) are all details that have further fuelled the theory. Many fans also argued that the characters who Henry didn’t know were missing from the final episode.
I think Mike is keeping the party “happy” and distracted from what is really happening, especially since even the graduation felt strange. Everyone, including the people in the back, was positioned the same way as Henry. That feels too intentional to be a coincidence pic.twitter.com/luCA11QAQy
— jenny_lo (@jenny_lo27) January 3, 2026
Will there be a Stranger Things Season 5 Episode 9?
At this point, Netflix or the show’s creators, the Duffer Brothers, have not addressed these claims. There has been no confirmation about the show having another episode on January 7, like so many online forums argue. The Duffer brothers are currently busy dealing with two separate spinoff series; one is animated, and the other is live-action with a completely different cast. So, at this point, it appears Stranger Things is finally done and dusted.
Created by Ross and Matt Duffer, the cast of Stranger Things includes Millie Bobby Brown, Finn Wolfhard, Gaten Matarazzo, Caleb McLaughlin, Winona Ryder, David Harbour, Noah Schnapp, Joe Keery and Sadie Sink.
