Debunked: Stranger Things Season 5 Ending Fan Theory

The Demise of a Fan Theory

The highly anticipated final season of the Duffer brothers' smash-hit Netflix show, Stranger Things, has been the subject of intense speculation and fan theories. Among the most bizarre theories to gain popularity is the idea that the entire show never happened and the events leading up to the ending are simply part of an elaborate Dungeons and Dragons game.

stranger things dungeons and dragons

Fans have come up with wild theories about how the series will reach its conclusion, with some positing that the upside-down is an alternate reality or a subconscious projection of Millie Bobbie Brown's Eleven. However, during a red carpet interview with Metro.co.uk at the premiere of the spin-off play, Stranger Things: The First Shadow, the Duffer brothers officially debunked the Dungeons and Dragons theory.

When asked about the theory, the brothers laughed, and Matt Duffer joked, 'That is the ending…. No.' Ross clarified, 'That would be the equivalent of, 'That’s all a dream'. No, I assure you that is not how we’re going to end the show.' The creators have been aware of the show's ending for a while and are content with the direction, assuring fans that it will be a satisfying conclusion.

The Symbolism of Dungeons and Dragons

Throughout the series, the characters in Stranger Things have navigated the Upside Down using their experience with the role-playing game Dungeons and Dragons as a point of reference when dealing with the show's horrific events. It's not hard to see why fans may have made the connection between the game and the show's storyline, given the importance of Dungeons and Dragons to the characters within the show.

The younger characters consistently use game terminology to understand, conceptualize, and cope with the challenges they face. The Duffer brothers' reaction to the fan theory suggests that the references to Dungeons and Dragons in the show's writing were not meant to be taken literally, but rather as symbolic elements.

The comparisons to Dungeons and Dragons in the writing of Stranger Things may serve a more symbolic purpose, reminding viewers of the characters' youth and innocence. The characters' tendency to compare their real-life terrors to fighting monsters in a game potentially evokes a sense of nostalgia and highlights the contrast between the innocence of childhood and the darkness of the show's events.

What's Next for Stranger Things Season 5

With the confirmation that the show will not end with a 'it was all a dream' scenario, fans are left to ponder what will happen in the final season of Stranger Things. The Duffer brothers have confidently stated that season 5 will be the biggest ever and will center around Will's arc, suggesting a lingering connection to Noah Shnapp's Will Byers may be the key to destroying the Monster once and for all.

As the series continues to captivate audiences, the anticipation for Stranger Things season 5 continues to grow. The final installment of the show promises to be an epic conclusion to the beloved series, with the fate of the characters and the town of Hawkins hanging in the balance. Fans can catch up on seasons 1-4 of Stranger Things, currently streaming on Netflix, as they eagerly await the arrival of the highly-anticipated season 5.