Stranger Things 5: What is Conformity Gate Theory? 'Secret Episode 9' Evidences EXPLAINED

Stranger Things 5 marked the series finale of the hit Netflix show with the release of its episode 8, titled The Rightside Up. While showrunners the Duffer Brothers tried to give an emotional closure to the show,

the end left most fans divided with many complaining that it was incomplete and had its loose ends. Infact, a certain section also believes that there's a ninth episode of Stranger Things that the makers are hiding and might release on January 7. It has now acquired the name of the 'Conformity Gate' theory, after certain events of Season 5 that allegedly explains the show's actual ending.

Stranger Things 5 ending explained

Stranger Things 5 saw the gang from Hawkins killing Vecna and the Mind Flayer. While the town tried to go back to normalcy, it was a different story for Mike, Will, Dustin, Lucas and Max, who were left reeling under the loss of Eleven. El was at first shown to have sacrificed herself to bring down the Upside Down and the Abyss. It was only towards the end that we get to know Mike's belief that Eleven survived and fled to a place where no one recognised her, to start afresh, away from the prying forces of Dr. Kay (Linda Hamilton).

What is Conformity Gate theory?

The Conformity Gate theory is ever since been going viral on social media and the internet. As per the assumption of fans, they claim to have found several Easter eggs and hidden clues in the fifth season which prove that the finale we saw was actually a fake-out. They allege that a secret episode 9 exists, which will wrap up the series upon its release on January 7, 2026.

Elements of theory

According to this theory, Vecna is alive, and still controls everything around him. It not just means the show's characters, but also the audience, claiming that the viewers have so far been carefully fed with a crafted illusion of a happy ending. Fans say the gang never defeated the Mind Flayer in reality, and that Vecna actually won. Hence, the finale that was given to us in episode 8 was not the true end, and another episode on way.

'Evidences' that 'confirm' theory

That's not all. Supporters of the theory have even listed evidences to support their claim. One of the evidence takes us to the Hawkins High graduation scene in the epilogue where everyone stands with their hands clasped in front of them, a reflection of Henry Creel and everyone Vecna controls. They even say that the graduation gowns in orange signify imprisonment rather than celebration.Hidden messages embedded in background props were also seen in Dungeons & Dragons books arranged in a way that fans believe spelled out to "lie" suggesting that what we saw in Dimension X and beyond was not the truth. They saw exit signs at various points in the epilogue scenes leaving them comparing it with the Truman Show and its use of background imagery to signal artificial reality.

Fans believe in Conformity Gate Theory

Fans have been posting about their belief in the Conformity Gate theory. A user wrote on X (formerly Twitter), "What doesn't make sense is that the story structure they use is full of mirrors (chiastic structure used in the Bible or LotR) but their conformity ending is....missing it's mirror. If they are Vecna'd, then what's the opposite to this?" Another one said, "I believe mate! Just as a fan it would be the biggest flip in tv history. It would be soooo good. I want it just as a geek." A third fan stated, "The Conformity Gate theory is absolute madness… and I desperately want it to be true, but if it comes true? I’m emotionally done. Or we just becoming Joyce Byers."Amid debates around the Conformity Gate and whether or not it is a conspiracy or just a narrative correction, one can assume it is definitely a way to satiate one's inner self, after years of darker storytelling and unhappy endings.