Some Stranger Issues followers thought they’d mourned the final of the Netflix collection; others refused to simply accept that it was really over. Simply days after the season 5 finale dropped on the streamer — and performed in theaters — a idea referred to as “Conformity Gate” unfold on social media, claiming that episode 9 was popping out. So, is the idea actual, or is it utterly baseless?
Beneath, Hollywood Life unpacks “Conformity Gate” and what the Stranger Issues forged and crew have mentioned concerning the present’s ending.
What Is the Stranger Issues ‘Conformity Gate’ Rumor?
Dubbed “Conformity Gate,” on-line customers unfold a viral idea {that a} new episode of Stranger Issues season 5 was going to be launched.
As seen throughout TikTok and X.com primarily, followers mentioned that “Conformity Gate” started because of viewers’ criticism of how the Duffer Brothers ended the present.
Many identified that, in one of many remaining scenes, the principle characters aligned their books to spell the letters “XALIE,” which followers argued meant that Dimension X is a lie. These conspiracy theorists believed the finale was all in Vecna’s thoughts and that, subsequently, it wasn’t actual.
Stranger Issues followers explaining conformity gate: pic.twitter.com/WO2pl9Rbbd
— The Cinéprism (@TheCineprism) January 6, 2026
“Your complete Stranger Issues fandom at present in a collective psychosis developing with a idea referred to as Conformity Gate as a coping mechanism as a result of the Duffers writing was genuinely THAT dangerous,” one particular person tweeted.
Different critics chimed in concerning the inventive decisions behind the ultimate season, as one X consumer wrote, “It’s hilarious how the Duffers incapacity to put in writing a satisfying conclusion and reliance on the ‘we left it to the viewer’s interpretation’ crutch has now led to a fanbase by some means rabidly believing there’s a secret remaining episode that simply clearly doesn’t exist.”
Your complete Stranger Issues fandom at present in a collective psychosis developing with a idea referred to as Conformity Gate as a coping mechanism as a result of the Duffers writing was genuinely THAT dangerous pic.twitter.com/p5ZgDOvUeP
— 💙🏝️ (@loveislandtok) January 6, 2026
Is Stranger Issues ‘Conformity Gate’ Actual? Episode 9 Rumors Defined
No, sadly, there is no such thing as a new episode of Stranger Issues season 5. “Conformity Gate” shouldn’t be true.
Throughout an look on The Tonight Present Starring Jimmy Fallon, forged member Jamie Campbell Bower mentioned the final episode was “the ending the present deserves.”
“Even because the actor that performs Vecna, like, it simply – it feels proper,” he famous, referring to his character’s conclusion. “You already know, the present is a lot about friendship and love and hope and pleasure. And naturally, like, the one that shouldn’t be that has to go, you already know?”
How Many Episodes Are There in Season 5 of Stranger Issues?
There are eight episodes in complete of the fifth and remaining season of Stranger Issues.
