Stranger Things fans at Rocky are abuzz with the controversy around the final episode of the popular show, which was released on December 31, 2025. Opinions on the climax vary wildly, with some students appreciative of the ending, and others disappointed by the writing.

To say that the end of Stranger Things is a cultural phenomenon is an understatement, with the show racking up 1.2 billion views on Netflix, and the fifth and final season accruing 105.7 million views and counting. However, the release of the finale has sparked internet controversy around the clearly rushed writing. The apparent plot holes led to a popular fan theory called the ‘Conformity Gate,’ which speculated that the entire eight episode was an illusion created by the primary antagonist, and that a secret ninth episode would release on January 7. Though the theory was debunked, Netflix did release a documentary on the making of Stranger Things titled “One Last Adventure: The Making of Stranger Things 5.” However, unsatisfied fans pointed out unresolved plot threads that weren’t answered by the documentary.

Emily Clark, a freshman student at Rocky, was not impressed with the final season. “The entirety of season five was a mess,” she said. “It’s mainly the character issue. There were so many characters in season five, they just had no idea what to do with them.” Emily has been a Stranger Things fan for years and was immensely disappointed by the lack of stakes and portrayal of the main characters.

Despite the uproar from the fans about the final season, Stranger Things is still a wildly successful and iconic show, cemented in the science fiction genre. Was the ending of Stranger Things an epic failure in television history, or a flawless wrap up to an iconic series? In the end, it’s up to the audience to decide.