After nine years and five seasons, Netflix’s Stranger Things has officially concluded. In the final, lengthy episode, Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown), Hopper (David Harbour), Will (Noah Schnapp), and their friends return to the Upside Down for a final showdown against Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower), aiming to save Holly (Nell Fisher) and, ultimately, eliminate the Upside Down once and for all.
**Spoilers ahead for Stranger Things Season 5 Episode 8 “The Rightside Up,” available on Netflix**
The episode, “The Rightside Up,” begins right where the last one ended—our heroes have made it into the Upside Down. While most of the group heads to the WSQK radio tower in the alternate reality, Hopper and Eleven have their own mission. She’s determined to use one of Hawkins Lab’s tanks—upside down—to face Vecna alone.
So, will they succeed? Will Holly escape Vecna’s grasp? Will Eleven and Carly (Linnea Bertelsen) survive? Does anyone actually enjoy a place with a waterfall?
Here’s a summary of the finale’s key moments…
What happens in the Stranger Things Finale?
The series wraps up with our heroes banding together to defeat both Vecna and the Mind Flayer, who was the underlying threat all along. Initially, it seems Eleven has sacrificed herself based on a plan with Kali. However, Mike shares a heartfelt sentiment and a theory that promises a brighter ending for the viewers.
How does it unfold?
Once in the Upside Down, the group splits: Hopper, Eleven, Kali, and Murray establish their base at Hawkins Laboratory, while Lucas, Nancy, Jonathan, Dustin, Steve, Mike, Robin, Will, and Joyce make their way to the alternate WSQK Tower. Meanwhile, Vicki covers for Max at a nearby radio station as Dr. Kay tracks Mr. Crackle and Erica. Unfortunately, their team faces unexpected trouble from Akers and his men.
Before diving into the tank, Eleven asks Hopper not to pull her out if things go awry, while Hopper insists she needs to prioritize Kay and their friends just a little longer.
When Vicki steps out to grab snacks, Max manages to slip into the Void with Eleven and Kali. By tapping into Vecna’s memories, Eleven navigates to Creel House. However, the group realizes the tower’s needles aren’t aligned with the existing cracks, which complicates their plan. With Max’s insights, Eleven breaks into Creel’s house just in time, thwarting a psychic attack. But Steve ends up falling from the tower, narrowly saved by Jonathan.
In Creel House, Eleven confronts Vecna, taunting him about his inability to find the children, who are cleverly hidden by Kali. Vecna breaches Eleven’s mind, exposing her secrets, while Kali attempts an attack but it appears he, too, can manipulate illusions. Eventually, Eleven and Kali reunite with their friends as they draw closer to the cave.
Back at the lab, Hopper has painful visions of his daughter’s death, as Vecna torments him. In a frantic moment, Hopper accidentally shoots Eleven in the tank, leading to chaos. However, she isn’t truly harmed—just severed from the connection. As Max revives, she reveals the base’s secrets to Kay and the agents.
Hopper confronts Eleven about her secretive intentions and refuses to set off explosives in the Upside Down until she is safely back. In a tense standoff, Kali threatens Hopper, claiming he’s been captured by Henry. As anxiety mounts, they’re ambushed by soldiers.
Meanwhile, Holly successfully helps the children escape Henry’s grasp, while Nancy instigates an assault on the Abyss. Will senses ominous danger as Henry reemerges, struggling with his own dark memories. Robin asks Will if he can do anything for him as tensions rise.
Hopper battles to escape Kay’s forces, but they have immobilizing devices for Eleven and Kali. After rescuing her, Hopper faces off against Akers. Eleven, wielding her powers, defeats Akers and his men; however, Kali is fatally shot during the chaos. As the dust settles, Eleven realizes she can use her abilities to confront Henry in the Abyss, emphasizing her growth and independence.
Holly bravely leads the kids into Henry’s cave, though he pursues and nearly catches her. Only Will’s insight into Henry’s painful past can ultimately thwart him. A chilling memory of Vecna’s past emerges, showing the origin of the Mind Flayer’s influence—and his early connection to it. Will reaches out, urging Henry to abandon the darkness, reminding him he was never truly in control.
As Vecna and the Mind Flayer merge into a singular threat, the group strategizes to fend them off with Nancy acting as bait. As chaos ensues, Eleven seizes her chance to overpower Vecna while the rest attack the Mind Flayer. In a collaborative effort, they ultimately defeat him, saving the children just in time, though Vecna is left gravely wounded.
Will and Joyce enter to witness the destruction of Vecna. Joyce, channeling all her family’s pain, asserts, “You messed with the wrong family,” before defeating him entirely.
Dustin informs Hopper and Murray of their success and suggests they finally destroy the Upside Down. Murray sets off the explosives as Prince’s “When Doves Cry” scores the moment.
Despite the apparent victory, the episode still runs for about 30 more minutes. Upon returning home, the group finds themselves faced with new threats from Dr. Kay and his forces. Eleven seemingly vanishes, only to be found later, suspended in danger.
As Mike enters her mind, she reveals that as long as she exists, danger will linger. A montage of their shared experiences plays as Prince’s “Purple Rain” echoes, leading to a tearful goodbye. When Mike resurfaces, the team realizes the gravity of the situation. The lab, along with all of the Upside Down, explodes, giving the impression that Eleven may have perished.
Fast forward a year and a half: Hawkins is in recovery, attributing everything to the aftermath of an earthquake. Robin resumes her radio duties in a Smith College tee and reflects on the changes. Steve is now coaching Little League and has even taken on a sex education course. The group has graduated high school: Lucas and Max are still together, and Dustin stands as valedictorian. Although Will appears to be thriving with Joyce and Hopper, Mike is stuck mourning his lost love. Hopper advises Mike to find his way to acceptance instead of getting stuck in grief.
During graduation, Dustin starts with an emotional speech but then takes a jab at the principal, revealing a Hellfire Club shirt underneath his gown to the crowd’s delight. Amidst it all, Mike perceives a familiar sound echoing through the speakers, bringing back memories of Eleven.
We later discover Jonathan is pursuing film studies at NYU but has left Emerson College to write for a local newspaper. The friends decide to meet monthly at Robin’s uncle’s house to keep their bond strong. Joyce and Hopper are finally seen on a date, where he suggests she move to Montauk and even proposes—she gladly accepts.
Back in the Wheeler basement, Max plays Dungeons & Dragons with the group. Initially, it seems the game might flop, until Dustin recalls that Eleven’s character can summon a “mage.” When Max voices concerns over the “predictable” ending, Mike reassures her of a hopeful future for the entire group… including Eleven.
*Montauk holds significance in Stranger Things lore, as the show’s original concept was set in a coastal town on Long Island.
Stranger Things Ending Explained: Is Eleven Alive?
They later turn the spotlight back on Mike after he shares glimpses of his friends’ futures. What about the storytellers? Mike becomes a writer, inspired by moments shared with his friends, but he admits there’s one narrative he will never tell. What truly happened to the magician?
Mike theorizes that a dying Kali might have hidden Eleven while they escaped from Kay’s grasp. The version of Eleven believed to have died may have been an illusion conjured by Kali.
Mike shares that no one knows where Eleven is now, yet he chooses to imagine her in a beautiful, distant place. The scene shifts to Eleven gazing at serene landscapes with waterfalls and a quaint town in view. Max questions the validity of this vision, to which Mike replies, “It’s just what I believe. And I think we should all hold on to that.”
Ultimately, it’s up to the audience to decide whether they believe Eleven survived.
Who Dies in Stranger Things?
Stepping back to consider the body count, what’s the tally for the final episode? Not counting the antagonists who seemed to earn their fate, here are the notable losses:
- Kali is shot and killed at Hawkins Laboratory.
- The heroes unite to confront the Mind Flayer.
- Vecna is decapitated by Joyce.
- Thus, the estimated deaths total around 11, depending on whether you believe in Mike’s implication that Kali survived long enough to enact a new escape plan for Eleven.
