Stranger Things Creator Addresses Finale Ending Speculation

Warning: This article contains major spoilers for the final episode of Stranger Things.

The creators of Stranger Things have been weighing in on fans’ theories about the events of the finale.

Now, before we say another word, we are just going to deter anyone who is still trying to avoid Stranger Things spoilers from reading any further, because we’re going to be getting quite deep into the nitty-gritty of what goes down in that last episode.

So, in the Stranger Things finale, it appeared that Millie Bobby Brown’s character Eleven died by staying behind in the Upside Down as it was blown up by her adopted father, Hopper.

However, at the end of the episode, Mike (played by Finn Wolfhard) was seen theorising with the rest of the gang that Eleven might have actually faked her death and survived the blast through her own means.

This has led to quite strong debate among fans about whether Mike’s theory holds water, or is merely a case of the teen trying to make himself feel better after the death of someone he loved.

Asked about what fans had to say by Variety, co-creator Matt Duffer insisted: “The only thing I’ll debunk is that Eleven does not communicate with Mike in any way.”

He continued: “At graduation, [Mike is] hearing the speakers distort because the principal is so angry, and it makes him realise that there was the kryptonite. So how could she have possibly made it all the way to the gate?

“Not only that: How could she have possibly used her powers to bring him into the void?”

Mike then pointed out some “other questions” that remain after the finale too.

“Could Kali have actually done that?” he offered. “Could she have possibly been alive? We like that it’s up to the audience.”

On the ending’s ambiguity, Matt claimed: “We thought there was something really cool about not knowing for sure, and having our characters choose to believe. We just thought that was more powerful than providing a definitive answer, one way or the other.

“And I like that the audiences are in Mike, Max, Lucas and Dustin’s shoes, in the sense that they get to choose or not choose. I mean, I’m definitely seeing the majority choosing to believe and side with the kids.”

Matt and Ross Duffer also recently gave an interview with the podcast Happy, Sad, Confused, where they insisted that they don’t ever intend to answer the one major question left hovering over Stranger Things.

“[Millie’s] not going to tell you, either,” Matt quipped. “Don’t waste your time. Millie swore herself to secrecy.”

Things around the ending were apparently so secretive that even certain members of the cast haven’t been told the truth, with Matt even texting Millie Bobby Brown during the interview to remind her to not reveal anything to co-star Noah Schnapp.

All five seasons of Stranger Things are now streaming on Netflix.