As the premiere of Stranger Things season 5 gets closer, many are discussing what could happen in the final episodes, and one major Upside Down theory could likely be negated based on the franchise’s plans. The Netflix sci-fi horror series, created by the Duffer Brothers, became a worldwide phenomenon upon its debut in 2016. Since then, Stranger Things has been one of Netflix’s biggest IPs, resulting in an expansion of the franchise, with the release of a prequel stage play, books, video games, and more. Consequently, Stranger Things won’t truly be over after the season 5 finale.
According to Tudum by Netflix, Stranger Things season 5 features eight episodes — “Chapter One: The Crawl,” “The Vanishing of [TBA],” “The Turnbow Trap,” “Sorcerer,” “Shock Jock,” “Escape from Camazotz,” “The Bridge,” and “The Rightside Up.”
The Stranger Things universe’s next biggest event is the Netflix show’s final season, set to premiere in 2025. As a result, many are trying to guess what will happen in the sci-fi horror series’ ending. Stranger Things season 5 theories include which main characters will die (with some leaning toward one of Steve, Will, or Eleven), the origin of the Upside Down, how Eleven and co. will defeat Vecna, etc. One of the more popular and initially believable season 5 theories concerns the Upside Down and its status when all is said and done.
One Possible Ending To Stranger Things Is That The Upside Down Closes Forever
Eleven Could Finally Close The Upside Down Permanently
Time and time again, the Stranger Things main characters have tried to shut down the Upside Down for good. Unfortunately, they have always failed. However, their luck might change in season 5, which some believe will end with the Upside Down closed forever (the finale’s тιтle is “The Rightside Up,” after all).
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Stranger Things Season 5 Main Cast |
Role |
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|---|---|---|
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Millie Bobby Brown |
Eleven/Jane Hopper |
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Finn Wolfhard |
Mike Wheeler |
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Noah Schnapp |
Will Byers |
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Caleb McLaughlin |
Lucas Sinclair |
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Gaten Matarazzo |
Dustin Henderson |
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Sadie Sink |
Max Mayfield |
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David Harbour |
Jim Hopper |
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|
Winona Ryder |
Joyce Byers |
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Joe Keery |
Steve Harrington |
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Maya Hawke |
Robin Buckley |
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Natalia Dyer |
Nancy Wheeler |
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Charlie Heaton |
Jonathan Byers |
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Priah Ferguson |
Erica Sinclair |
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|
Bret Gelman |
Murray Bauman |
Some fans predict that either Eleven or Will will sacrifice their life during the Stranger Things series finale. Given their ties to the Upside Down, the Netflix sci-fi horror show could conclude with Eleven or Will dying with the Upside Down to save their friends and Hawkins. This is an easier theory to grasp due to the logical reasoning behind it — Stranger Things must end with some kind of final battle concerning the Upside Down. Based on everything that has happened in the series and everything we know about its world, the Upside Down closing permanently makes sense.
Netflix Eyeing Future Stranger Things Shows Makes Closing The Upside Down In Season 5 Tricky
The Stranger Things Franchise Will Continue Expanding
Even though the Upside Down dying (and perhaps Eleven and/or Will with it) at the end of Stranger Things is believable, one piece of information might negate this theory. As mentioned above, the franchise isn’t ending after season 5. Aside from Stranger Things continuing in other forms of media, Netflix and the Duffer Brothers are also reportedly working on an animated show and spinoff series set in the same universe. Netflix isn’t letting go of one of its most successful IPs that easily. Nevertheless, it wouldn’t make much sense to develop a spinoff without the Upside Down.
Much of the sci-fi horror show’s story relies on the existence of the Upside Down. Without it, it’s unclear what future Stranger Things spinoffs will be about.
If Stranger Things season 5 ends with the Upside Down gone forever, it’s difficult to imagine how the Duffer Brothers could conjure up a mystery that doesn’t include the alternate dimension. Much of the sci-fi horror show’s story relies on the existence of the Upside Down. Without it, it’s unclear what future Stranger Things spinoffs will be about. Consequently, the theory that the season 5 finale concludes with the characters closing the Upside Down forever is much less believable than it was before.
Can Stranger Things Have A Conclusive Ending If The Upside Down Still Exists?
Destroying The Upside Down Seems Like Too Obvious An Ending
Yes, Stranger Things ending with the defeat of Vecna and the Upside Down would bring the show’s plot full circle. However, that would be much too predictable and contradict the existence of spinoffs. The Netflix sci-fi horror TV series has been known to surprise its audience, and concluding with the most obvious answer to the overarching mystery would deviate from its reputation. The Duffer Brothers have proven they’re smart enough to construct complex and shocking yet understandable stories, and season 5 shouldn’t be any different. So, Stranger Things‘ ending can still be satisfying, even if the Upside Down still exists.
Source: Tudum by Netflix
