Stranger Things Finale Leaves Fans Wanting More After Decade-Long Wait
After nearly ten years, Stranger Things wraps up with a finale that feels rushed and incomplete, leaving fans with unanswered questions and mixed emotions about the beloved series' conclusion.
After a decade of anticipation, five seasons, and countless hours spent in Hawkins, Stranger Things has finally reached its end. But after letting the finale sink in for a week, I can’t shake the feeling of disappointment. Despite my excitement for the two-hour-plus conclusion, the way the Duffer brothers chose to wrap up the story left me and many others with more questions than answers. Instead of closure, there’s confusion, and the burning mysteries that kept us hooked remain unresolved.
From Groundbreaking Beginnings to a Disappointing End
When Stranger Things first dropped on Netflix in 2016, I was sixteen and instantly hooked. The show’s unique blend of ‘80s nostalgia, friendship, and supernatural adventure was unlike anything else. The Duffer brothers struck gold, mixing classic coming-of-age themes with Dungeons & Dragons-inspired fantasy. Each season kept me coming back, even when the story hit a few bumps, like the odd “Lost Sister” arc in season two. Season four was a high point, packed with action and suspense. But season five, especially the final episode, just didn’t deliver the payoff I’d hoped for after all these years.
That’s not to say the entire season was a letdown. There were standout moments, like the mid-season finale where Will finally confronted Vecna and discovered his own powers. This twist had fans speculating: Would Will defeat Vecna, or would he turn dark like Henry Creel? Volume one sparked wild theories—was Vecna building a time machine with the twelve kids, or could Ted Wheeler be behind the Upside Down? But as volume two dragged on, I started to worry. How could the show possibly tie up all the loose ends, deliver a final battle, and give each character a satisfying send-off in just two hours?
A Rushed Final Battle and Lingering Mysteries
When the last episode aired on New Year’s Eve 2025, the final showdown I’d waited nearly ten years for was over in less than twenty minutes. Eleven and Will managed to take down Vecna, and Joyce finished him off with an ax.
“Is that it? ”
I thought, as the moment I’d been waiting for ended in a flash. None of the main characters were hurt, and the group escaped the Abyss unscathed. Even Eleven’s apparent sacrifice felt ambiguous—she might still be alive. Without real stakes, the victory felt hollow. The final battle should have been the centerpiece, showing different perspectives, diving into Vecna’s mind, and revealing more about the lore. The Mind Flayer was defeated even more easily than at Starcourt Mall, and the Demogorgons and Demodogs were nowhere to be seen. Shouldn’t they have shown up to defend their master?
Beyond the rushed action, the finale left a lot of questions hanging. What was Vecna’s true plan? Why did he need exactly twelve children? Why wasn’t he better prepared for the group’s attack, especially given his connection to Will? It seemed like the writers forgot about the link between Will and Vecna, especially during the final fight. If Will could feel everything Vecna did, why was he fine when Vecna died? Other details felt sloppy, like Will and Vecna sharing a birthday, or Hopper and Joyce never mentioning their past with Henry Creel. Even small things, like Will reminiscing about milkshakes at Melvads—the hardware store in Hawkins—felt off. And how did Hopper and Nancy just go back to normal life after fighting soldiers in the Upside Down? Wouldn’t the military still be after them?
Unanswered Questions and Fan Theories
Right after the finale, the Duffer brothers gave interviews explaining that some plot points were resolved off-screen, leaving it up to viewers to decide what happened—like the fate of Vickie and Robin. But leaving Eleven’s fate “ambiguous,” as Ross Duffer put it, only fueled new conspiracy theories online, like the so-called ‘Conformity Gate,’ where some fans believe the real finale will air in January 2026. If the Duffers had addressed these plot holes on screen, maybe fans would feel more satisfied.
Despite my frustrations, I can’t ignore the journey Stranger Things has taken me on. Seeing Mike, Will, Lucas, and Dustin together at the end, in the same spot where it all began, reminded me why I fell in love with the show. Maybe the finale wasn’t about the big battle or wild theories, but about saying goodbye to the characters we’ve grown to love. Instead of dwelling on what could have been, I’m choosing to remember the wild, funny, scary, and emotional ride that Stranger Things has given me over the past ten years.
The entire series is now available to stream. For more recommendations, check out guides to the best shows and keep an eye out for new releases.