Explaining the “Stranger Things” #conformitygate, and why some fans aren’t convinced the show is really over

After almost a decade, Stranger Things officially ended on Dec 31, 2025. However, instead of closure, the finale led to confusion, disappointment, and a viral conspiracy theory. As fans processed their feelings about the final episode, the hashtag #conformitygate began trending online.

Although the series wrapped with an epic battle against Vecna, many viewers felt like the ending was rushed with choppy writing. Others went further, insisting the finale itself might be fake, and that the real finale had yet to be released.