Netflix’s hit series, “Stranger Things,” has recently come to an end with the final episode of the season debuting on Dec. 31, 2025. Now, many people may think the ending of the show left viewers in a happy state of mind and brought closure; however, the producers of the show, the Duffer Brothers took a much different approach. 

In past seasons, the show has always ended in a rather happy way, whether it be the group defeating a villain, or making it back home safely together. This season, however, was much different, as it left fans in disbelief and even some angry.

One of the biggest factors of this season was the “death” of Eleven, the main character who started the whole show. Eleven was a young girl with superpowers who stole fans’ hearts with her willingness to do anything to protect her friends. The show ended with her as the final sacrifice, leaving her friends so they would be safe for the rest of their lives. 

Now, at a glance, it seemed as if she was gone and everything was better. Though fans began to find many hints which led them to believe she was still alive, going into every detail about each theory would be too hard to fit into a single article. However, searching any social media platform will open many doors for you to make your own decision. There are valid arguments for both sides, but it’s truly up to the viewer to decide which to pick.

It wasn’t just the death of Eleven either. Many believe there was no closure on any of the characters, and the finale left fans with way too many questions. Others argue the show was perfect, and people need to stop wanting so much more. 

Many fans wanted a darker ending because the producers said the season would feature unexpected deaths and be dark. We never got any of those dark moments. It seemed like the shock factor had been completely left out, and the show almost became predictable towards the end.

Although fans were somewhat disappointed with the ending, the faithful fans defended it. With such a highly rated show, it’s hard to keep everyone pleased, especially with a finale.

Overall, the show had a mixed review of love, hate, disappointment and satisfaction. It’s truly up to the viewer to decide for themselves how they want to fill in those questions which were never answered. Whether you liked or disliked the ending, you can’t argue the need to keep watching, no matter what you felt the outcome would be.