Warning: Spoilers ahead for the series finale of Stranger Things! Coming in at over two hours, there’s plenty to unpack with the Stranger Things series finale episode. As the Party sets out on their big mission in Stranger Things season 5, Volume 2’s ending, the final episode begins right after the events of “The Bridge,” with the group splitting up in the Upside Down to carry out their part of the complicated plan.
As Eleven heads to Hawkins Lab with Kali, Hopper, and Murray, the others head to the tower and begin climbing. El, Kali, and Max have a brief chance to work together in the Void, where they enter Henry’s memories and find the kids in the Creel house. Before they can kill Vecna, he thwarts their plan in the Upside Down.
Following Kali’s apparent death, Eleven joins the group in the Abyss, which features the big action sequence in Stranger Things‘ series finale. Aside from another fight between El and Vecna, the episode features the return of the Mind Flayer in its true form. El and the Party get the upper hand, but that final showdown and epilogue are worth diving deeper into as Stranger Things‘ main story reaches its end.
Is Eleven Dead Or Alive At The End Of Stranger Things?
For now, it seems to be up to the viewer’s interpretation whether Eleven is alive or dead following Stranger Things‘ series finale. The events imply that El sacrificed herself by staying in the Upside Down as it exploded to end the cycle of allowing the military to make more people like her. However, Mike has another theory that he later shares with his friends.
After having the Mage save the day at the end of their D&D campaign, Mike reveals what he thinks happened to El. Seeing that El wasn’t affected by the kryptonite devices by the Gate, Mike believes Kali was alive in the Upside Down and helped orchestrate an illusion of El, while the real El got away unnoticed.
Stranger Things then shows a glimpse of El hiking up a mountain that overlooks waterfalls and a small town. It’s unclear if this is Eleven’s true fate or just Mike’s hopeful vision regarding her fate, especially after Hopper encourages Mike to find a way to live with the loss. Still, the rest of the Party emotionally agrees to believe that she’s still out there.
The Origin Of Henry Creel’s Powers Explained
One of the biggest reveals from Stranger Things‘ series finale is the confirmation surrounding the origin of Henry Creel’s powers. In doing so, the show also solves the mystery of Henry’s cave memory and what really happened to him after his encounter with a mysterious man.
It turns out that young Henry became exposed to particles and came into contact with the Mind Flayer for the first time, according to his memory. The briefcase held a strange rock that glowed red in spots, but when Henry picked it up, particles emerged and entered a wound in his hand.
The Mind Flayer then directly talks to Henry, creating their hive mind connection. Henry then learns he has powers as he brutally kills a man he previously beat with a rock.
Is The Mind Flayer The True Villain In Stranger Things?
Another major question entering Stranger Things‘ series finale was whether the Mind Flayer or Vecna was pulling strings as the show’s primary villain. The final episode breaks down their connection, reiterating that the Mind Flayer existed well before Henry got powers and later transformed into Vecna.
When Will thinks he can get through to Henry, he confirms his link to the Mind Flayer by stating, “It has never controlled me. I never controlled it.” He then suggests that he and the Mind Flayer are “one” entity that needs each other, adding another layer to their hive mind’s purpose.
Seeing as Vecna kept kids inside the Mind Flayer as he grew stronger, he’s not wrong that they need one another to thrive. Granted, Henry would never have become Vecna or acquired powers without encountering both the Mind Flayer and Abyss initially. Therefore, it can be argued that technically, the Mind Flayer should be considered as the true villain of Stranger Things.
How The Party Defeat Vecna & The Mind Flayer
The Party’s plan didn’t go exactly as they had hoped in their efforts to kill Vecna and destroy the Upside Down. For one, they discovered that their radio tower wasn’t aligned with Abyss’ rift. Hopper also pulls Eleven out of her sensory deprivation tank too early after Vecna messes with his mind. That said, despite these setbacks, they still come together and succeed in their mission.
After getting into Abyss, they encounter real Mind Flayer with Nancy using herself as bait while others devise a plan of attack. Thankfully, Eleven arrives just in time to fight this massive monster by jumping inside it to get to Vecna for another epic showdown.
The Party uses all available firepower against Mind Flayer while Will uses his powers to give Eleven an opportunity to throw Vecna into a spike. The Mind Flayer also collapses proving their victory. As they enter to save Holly and kids realizing Vecna is still alive Joyce takes her axe cutting off his head ending his terror once and for all.
Is The Upside Down Destroyed Forever?
Once they get kids into truck heading back through Gate towards Hawkins while Hopper and Murray race by stolen military vehicle having already set off bomb which will detonate when Prince album plays long enough triggering C4. Just as vehicles cross over Gate they are met by Dr Kay and military.
In chaos Eleven seemingly makes it back into Upside Down planning sacrifice herself as bridge collapses suggesting she’s still alive but Upside Down doesn’t survive explosion when Prince’s “Purple Rain” detonates exotic matter holding bridge together exploding bringing end to everything within it.
What Happens To Every Major Character In Stranger Things’ Series Finale
Eleven: Despite leading everyone to believe she sacrificed herself when Upside Down exploded Mike believes she got away living peaceful life away from Hawkins.
Mike: Storyteller becomes exactly that becoming writer using own adventures as inspiration but vows never share true story of El with anyone outside Party.
Will: After coming out gay during season 5 Volume 2 ends up going college finding acceptance implying eventually gets boyfriend.
Lucas & Max: Based on what Mike teases about Party’s fate stay together eventually settling down love only grows stronger over time.
Dustin: Following big graduation speech takes studies seriously but doesn’t give up friendship with Steve going on more adventures together.
Steve: Out older kids only one stays Hawkins becoming baseball coach also teaching Sex Ed.
Nancy: Oldest Wheeler sibling leaves Hawkins revealing dropped out Emerson now working for Boston Herald newspaper.
Jonathan: Like Nancy leaves Hawkins attending NYU studying filmmaking working on film titled The Consumer.
Robin: Though does guest DJ stint back Hawkins also left town for college offering uncle’s place Philly for her Steve Nancy Jonathan meet once year.
Joyce & Hopper: After finally having date Enzo’s Hopper proposes Joyce now back chief police suggesting relocating Montauk fresh start closer Jonathan Will New York City.
Holly: Youngest Wheeler made new friends following Vecna ordeal including Derek seen playing D&D Wheeler basement end series finale.
- Release Date
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2016 – 2025-00-00
- Network
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Netflix
- Showrunner
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Matt Duffer Ross Duffer
- Directors
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Matt Duffer Ross Duffer Andrew Stanton Frank Darabont Nimród Antal Uta Briesewitz
- Writers
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Kate Trefry Jessie Nickson-Lopez Jessica Mecklenburg Alison Tatlock
