The highly anticipated two-hour finale of “Stranger Things” has aired, wrapping up the beloved series with a conclusive ending for its main characters. While some fans celebrated the finale as a significant improvement over earlier episodes, others expressed disappointment, calling it predictable and lackluster.
Fan Reactions and the Finale’s Ambiguity
The reaction on social media has been mixed, with viewers sharing a spectrum of opinions. Many appreciated the character arcs, while others felt that the conclusion did not live up to the show’s earlier seasons. As the final moments unfolded, a pivotal moment emerged when Mike (played by Finn Wolfhard) recounted a story about how Eleven (portrayed by Millie Bobby Brown) might have survived her apparent demise as the Upside Down was vanquished.
The series leaves the truth of Mike’s narrative ambiguous, prompting further discussion among fans regarding its implications. Speaking to Netflix’s Tudum site, series co-creators Matt and Ross Duffer clarified that this ambiguity was an intentional choice.
Creative Intent Behind the Ending
Matt Duffer explained, “What we wanted to do was confront the reality of what her situation was after all of this and how she could live a normal life. There are two roads that Eleven could take. There’s this darker, more pessimistic one or the optimistic, hopeful one. Mike is the optimist of the group and has chosen to believe in that story.”
Ross Duffer added, “There was never a version of the story where Eleven was hanging out with the gang at the end. For us and our writers, we didn’t want to take her powers away. She represents magic in a lot of ways and the magic of childhood. For our characters to move on and for the story of Hawkins and the Upside Down to come to a close, Eleven had to go away.”
The emphasis on belief was integral to the finale. The Duffer brothers wanted to portray the characters’ continued hope, even without a clear resolution regarding Eleven’s fate. Matt Duffer further remarked, “If Eleven is out there, the most that they could hope for is a belief that it’s true because they can’t be in contact with her. Everything falls apart if that were the case. So if that’s the narrative, this is really the best way to keep her alive.”
The finale is now available for streaming on Netflix and was also screened in select cinemas, allowing fans to experience the conclusion on the big screen. This culmination of the series has left a lasting impression, prompting discussions about the journey of its characters from childhood to adulthood.
