The fifth and final season of Stranger Things ended on New Year's, showing the final battle against Vecna as well as an extensive epilogue about what happened to our beloved characters. In it we learn that Nancy dropped out of college in favor of a job, with Dyer speaking to Deadline about why she fought for that narrative choice. In her words:

" Conformity Gate ," or the conspiracy theory that there is a secret final episode of Stranger Things, has been circulating online since the series finale was released on New Year's Eve, but the brand-new documentary One Last Adventure: The Making of Stranger Things 5 has officially debunked it—and the internet has opinions.

The theory centers on the idea that the brilliant writing present in the first four seasons was largely the work of Ross Duffer's ex-wife, Leigh Janiak. Janiak is an American screenwriter and director, as well as the creator of the Fear Street franchise. The pair were together from December 2015 to February 2024.

One Last Adventure is about as far as you can get from ‘conformity gate.’ But at least you can see Vecna in headphones.

One Battle After Another', 'Sinners' and 'Stranger Things' are leading nominees for the 2026 Golden Reel Awards, presented by the Motion Picture Sound Editors.

New Stranger Things documentary casts doubt on Conformity Gate theory, showing no signs of a secret ending or hidden messages.

"Stranger Things" star Caleb McLaughlin shares how deleting social media, prayer, and church attendance have deepened his faith and kept him grounded.

In the documentary, the Duffer Brothers revealed that there was originally a "midway battle" that was ultimately scrapped. Although the specifics of what (or who) that battle would have involved weren't clarified, theoretically, this would have addressed the idea that the final fight was too easy, at least in part.