Stranger Things Season 5's final episode revealed the fate of Millie Bobby Brown's Eleven with a game-changing epilogue that raised a few unanswered questions. Kali's plan for her and Eleven, as revealed in Volume 2, was to sacrifice themselves alongside the Upside Down so that the military would stop their efforts in restarting Papa's (Dr. Brenner) program of weaponizing kids for their own gain.
Kali pointed out to Eleven that such an extreme action must be taken because having a normal life is not an option for individuals like them due to the military's relentless pursuit. While Eleven was hesitant to move forward with the plan, she realized that it was the only way to save everyone she loved, and the sacrifice was necessary. The finale revealed that Eleven went through with her plan, but there was a catch.
Is Eleven Really Dead In Stranger Things? Finale Epilogue Hints That She May Still Be Alive
After finally thwarting Vecna's ultimate plan of merging the Abyss with Hawkins (by using 12 kids as vessels) and killing Vecna and the Mind Flayer with the team's combined effort, it seemed that everything was gearing up for their happy ending, but the threat of Dr. Kay and the military still loomed large. As it turned out, the military was waiting for them because they were still determined to capture Eleven to restart Dr. Brenner's program and create more children with powers.
What made things complicated was the fact that there was already a ticking time bomb inside the Upside Down, and it was only a matter of time before it exploded and destroyed everything within it. After the military managed to capture everyone successfully, they weren't able to find Eleven with them. Instead, she was seen standing in the Upside Down gate, ready to sacrifice herself to entirely stop the brutal cycle brought about by Dr. Brenner's program.
Before her sacrifice, though, Eleven was able to use her psychic powers to have one final conversation with Mike, telling him how much she loved him and that she would always be with him:
"I will always be with you. I love you. Goodbye, Mike."
The bomb then detonated, completely destroying the Upside Down alongside Eleven and closing the bridge of evil for good this time. Eleven "died" right in front of her friends, family, and the military. Following the 18-month time jump, the military is nowhere to be seen in Hawkins, suggesting that they are no longer in pursuit of El because they already saw her die.
However, the final scene of Stranger Things revealed Mike's realization about Eleven and Kali's actual plan. As it turned out, the sisters devised a plan to trick the military by making everyone (and the audience) think Eleven was dead. Kali used her final moments to cast one last spell by making the real Eleven invisible so that she could escape and create another version of El standing in the gate and "die" right in front of everyone.
The finale showed a glimpse of Eleven and Kali's plan, confirming that the Eleven seen in the gate was an illusion.
This would also explain how she managed to connect with Mike because it showed a scene of Eleven going to the bunker where her bathtub was located, further confirming that she did escape and did not die in the Upside Down.
Mike told his friends that, in his estimation, Eleven is alive and has found a small town to call home, safe from the dangers of the military and others who threaten her.
Stranger Things then showed Eleven finding a new home, a place with three waterfalls similar to what she and Mike had been talking about. This is where Mike told his friends that Eleven had found peace and happiness, eager for her to have a fresh start but without her longtime friends and family.
Does Mike Know Eleven's Alive?
While Mike was the one who told everyone about his realization regarding Eleven's fate, it's safe to assume that he is not aware of her current location, but chose to believe that she is alive. Mike pointed out that he's unsure, but he decided to "believe" that what he said was right.
Max: "And this is just a theory, right?"
Will: "How do we know it's true?"
Mike: "We don't. Not for sure. But I choose to believe that it is."
Although it is heartbreaking, some would argue that it is better this way because it risks Eleven's life if someone else were to find out exactly where she is.
Is Kali Really Dead?
Stranger Things Season 5 had no shortage of deaths, which included the death of Eleven's sister, Kali, after Lieutenant Robert Akers killed her during a standoff inside Hawkins Lab.
While Eleven managed to kill Akers and his fellow rogue soldiers, she was unable to save Kali; however, they still managed to squeeze in one final conversation, which set up the twist ending involving Eleven's fate.
Where Is Eleven?
The Stranger Things finale showed Eleven discovering a small town in the middle of a serene mountainous location (with waterfalls and all), but the details of her exact whereabouts are unknown. As Mike pointed out in his final conversation with his friends, "No one knows. No one will ever know."
While this may seem like a fantasy land, it may be just Mike's visualization of where Eleven really is, and the truth is, she is still hiding in an undisclosed location that no one can find. Although some would want her to reunite with her friends and family in Hawkins, seeing Eleven end up alone could be for the best because she knows that a reunion would once again put those closest to her in danger.
