Netflix shut down rumors tied to the conformity gate claims from Stranger Things fans by releasing an official update on its social media account. While the Netflix's science fiction series already ended its run with a highly controversial finale with Episode 8, some fans were claiming that the Duffer Brothers are secretly hiding a ninth installment, mainly anchored by their disappointment about the show's ending. This led to the emergence of the Conformity Gate theory, with some fans theorizing that the epilogue that showed the core characters' normal lives are not real and it was Vecna's illusion.
The Conformity Gate believers also believed that the streamer would release the "true" finale on January 9, 2026. However, Netflix responded with their own announcement by confirming the release of One Last Adventure: The Making of Stranger Things 5 on Monday, January 12, debunking claims about another episode's premiere.
And now, Netflix has once again addressed fans' claim about a secret finale by confirming that all episodes of Stranger Things have already been released, based on a caption from their official social media pages:
"All episodes of Stranger Things are now playing."
Variety also shared in a report that creators Matt and Ross Duffer have made no official comment on the Conformity Gate theory, further confirming that no new episode will be released today, January 7, or any other date.
While Conformity Gate was a fun theory which led to widespread speculation among diehard fans (some of which are convincing), this latest update from Netflix should serve as a solid reminder that the aired finale is the show's true ending (whether fans like it or not).
The Conformity Gate Theory Proves The Duality of the Stranger Things Fandom
The Stranger Things finale resolved many of the core characters' stories, but Eleven's fate has been up for debate among fans. A good chunk of the fandom believe that Eleven is still alive after her game-changing sacrifice in the finale, but some claimed that she is truly dead. This is a solid example of why wild theories like the Conformity Gate will continue to dominate any conversation that is Stranger Things-related.
The positive thing about the Conformity Gate theory is the fact that it cemented how passionate the fandom is, with some claiming that it serves as an extension of the show's mystery-fueled elements. However, there is a negative effect because the various fan theories were born from dissatisfaction with the show's ending, with some viewers creating their own little bubble because they are struggling with closure.
Whatever the case, this conversation will continue in the years to come, proving how powerful and relevant Stranger Things truly is.
