Actor Gaten Matarazzo, who plays Dustin Henderson, has revealed that fans of Netflix’s hit series Stranger Things have developed theories about the show’s final season that come “shockingly adjacent” to the actual plot. The comment was made during promotional events for Season 5 Volume 2, which premieres on December 25, 2025.
The news comes as the global audience prepares for the conclusion of the cultural phenomenon, with the final episode slated for release on New Year’s Eve 2025. Show creators Matt and Ross Duffer have emphasized that the finale will provide long-awaited answers, including a definitive explanation of the connection between the villain Vecna and the cosmic entity known as the Mind Flayer.
Fan Theories and the “Shockingly Adjacent” Truth
In a conversation with Entertainment Tonight, Matarazzo acknowledged the impressive detective work of the show’s dedicated fanbase. “There are some shockingly adjacent ones, I can say,” Matarazzo stated regarding popular fan theories. He elaborated that while broad theories often contain incorrect guesses, “one weird detail will be right on the money”.
This admission validates years of intense online speculation across platforms like Reddit, where communities have dissected every trailer, line of dialogue, and episode title. The Duffer Brothers themselves have noted that, despite this fervent analysis, no one has yet pieced together the complete, correct ending.
Key Upcoming Revelations in Volume 2
While Matarazzo did not specify which theories are accurate, official confirmations and reports outline several major plot points to be addressed in the final episodes:
- The Vecna-Mind Flayer Dynamic: The Duffers have confirmed to Variety that the true nature of the relationship between Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower) and the Mind Flayer is “a question that will be answered in the final episode”. This suggests a resolution to the lingering question of whether Vecna controls the entity or is merely its pawn.
- Connections to the Stage Play: Elements from the prequel stage play Stranger Things: The First Shadow will directly overlap with the finale. Matt Duffer told Variety they withheld specific story elements from the play to reveal them on screen.
- The Return of Past Characters: The Duffers confirmed that Barb (Shannon Purser), whose death in Season 1 catalyzed much of the early plot, will appear in Volume 2. Her body may be shown as part of Vecna’s hive of victims.
- Instability of Time: Netflix’s official synopsis mentions “time itself unraveling” in Hawkins. This, coupled with Max’s (Sadie Sink) trapped consciousness experiencing Vecna’s memories, points to time displacement playing a role in the climax.
The Final Stretch: Release and Expectations
The final season is being released in three volumes. The first four episodes debuted in late November 2025. Volume 2, consisting of three episodes, will be released on Christmas Day, December 25, 2025. The series finale, episode eight, will premiere on New Year’s Eve, December 31, 2025, for U.S. audiences, with global release times adjusted for time zones.
In a comprehensive interview with Esquire, the Duffer Brothers reflected on the pressure of crafting a satisfying ending for a show that has become a “cultural moment”. They described the final season as a coming-of-age story focused on “what does that look like, when you’re leaving childhood behind?”. Despite the massive scale and rumored budget approaching the mid-$400 million range, they stressed that the series’ conclusion remains rooted in its characters.
“My gut is… that it is going to be pretty emotional for people who’ve been following the show for ten years,” Matt Duffer said. “They’ve been on this journey with these characters, and so just saying goodbye to them is an emotional experience.”
As for the fate of specific characters, rumors and concerns among fans remain high, particularly for the beloved Steve Harrington (Joe Keery). The Duffers stoked these anxieties with a playful segment on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, where they balanced a Steve Harrington Funko Pop on the edge of a desk before it fell off. Whether this was a bluff or a clue remains one of the final mysteries to be solved when Stranger Things reaches its conclusion.
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