A recently released behind-the-scenes documentary about Stranger Things 5 reveals that the show’s creators, the Duffer brothers, had different ideas about what should happen to the character Eleven in the final season.
As Stranger Things neared its end, viewers were intensely focused on which characters would survive and which wouldn’t make it to the final scene.
The Duffer brothers, Matt and Ross, had assured fans it wouldn’t end like ‘Game of Thrones’ with many shocking deaths. They wanted to create a heartwarming show, so their goal wasn’t to kill off all the characters.
A new Netflix documentary, One Last Adventure, which details the creation of Season 5, reveals disagreements between the Duffer brothers about what ultimately happens to the character Eleven. Be warned: spoilers follow…
The Duffer brothers couldn’t agree on Eleven’s ending
A lot of the tension in ‘One Last Adventure’ came from the fact that Season 5 was filmed while the final episode was still being written. This created stress for the production team, who needed to know what sets to create and how much money to spend.
Creating the show is demanding for the Duffer brothers, Matt and Ross, as they strive to satisfy both viewers and stay true to their characters. This leads to discussions about how Eleven’s story should conclude.
The scene takes place in the writers’ room, and begins with Ross suggesting the entire episode should lead to Eleven attempting suicide.
Matt continued, saying something like, “If we’re trying to promote it by suggesting she’ll commit suicide, and then she actually does…”
Writer Paul Dichter wondered if the woman in question hadn’t made up her mind yet, or if she already had. This sparked a lively discussion between the brothers.
Ross explained that a key to a successful episode, like number 7, is building suspense. He believes the audience needs to be kept guessing – constantly wondering if a character will actually follow through with a decision. That anticipation, he says, is what everyone will be waiting for.
Matt: “We think she’s made the choice to live.”
Ross: “I don’t know.”
Matt: “Just kidding, she hasn’t. Just kidding, she has.”
Ross: “I don’t know if we have to play it like that.”
Matt: “How would we play it?”
Ross: “We keep it ambiguous. We keep it ambiguous to the moment…”
Matt believes that if Eleven returns and shares a special moment with Hopper, especially if she gets into the van with him, it will be a clear sign she’s chosen to live.
Ross: “No. Not necessarily.”
Matt: “If you show me those images, she’s made a choice to live. I’m so…”
Ross: “Don’t do the 100% thing.”
Matt: “I’m 100%.”
Ross: “What’s the other option?”
Matt: “God, I don’t know how to play this.”
The show ends on a cliffhanger, leaving the audience to wonder what really happened to Eleven. Did she sacrifice herself and become trapped—or even die—in the crumbling Upside Down? Or did she manage to escape and start a new life elsewhere, as Mike believes, perhaps in a peaceful town with many waterfalls?
In an interview with Variety, One Last Adventure director Martina Radwan shared her thoughts on Eleven’s future, saying she appreciates the idea that magic may have disappeared, or needed to. However, she also suggested that magic could still exist within people.
Read More
- Tom Cruise? Harrison Ford? People Are Arguing About Which Actor Had The Best 7-Year Run, And I Can’t Decide Who’s Right
- What If Karlach Had a Miss Piggy Meltdown?
- How to Complete the Behemoth Guardian Project in Infinity Nikki
- This Minthara Cosplay Is So Accurate It’s Unreal
- The Beekeeper 2 Release Window & First Look Revealed
- Burger King launches new fan made Ultimate Steakhouse Whopper
- ‘Zootopia 2’ Is Tracking to Become the Biggest Hollywood Animated Movie of All Time
- Amazon Prime Members Get These 23 Free Games This Month
- Arc Raiders Snap And Salvage Quest Guide
- Balatro and Silksong “Don’t Make Sense Financially” And Are “Deeply Loved,” Says Analyst
2026-01-12 11:19