Speaking to Collider\u2019s Steve Weintraub<\/a>, the Duffers asked about their favorite fan theory surrounding the series ending. Ross Duffer<\/a>‘s answer? One that would\u2019ve completely reframed the entire show \u2014 and emotionally destroyed everyone watching. To be clear: this was never the plan. And the Duffers are very aware of how that ending would\u2019ve landed. Ross told Collider:<\/p>\n “There was one where Mike had invented this entire story in order to cope with Will’s death, because he actually did die back in Season 1<\/a>, which if you really go with \u201cnone of this was real,\u201d that was certainly an interesting way to go. No one would have liked it, but I thought it was an interesting theory, nonetheless.”<\/p>\n What Is the ‘Stranger Things’ 1+8+11 Theory?<\/p>\n Matt Duffer<\/a>, meanwhile, gravitated toward a theory that was less emotionally cruel and more delightfully nerdy. He told Weintraub:<\/p>\n \u201cYou know what I liked? There was one that was the rolling of the D20, and, like, eight, one, and eleven adding up to 20, which is just a total fucking coincidence.\u201d<\/p>\n For longtime fans, the appeal is obvious. Stranger Things has always been deeply rooted in Dungeons & Dragons mythology<\/a>, and the idea that Eleven (11), One (Henry, or in this case, Will, who was channelling Henry’s powers and acting as a Vecna surrogate to defeat him), and Eight (Kali) mathematically forming a perfect D20 roll felt almost too neat. Matt acknowledged the creativity \u2014 while also pointing out why it never could\u2019ve worked.<\/p>\n \u201cBut I think that that’s kind of rad,\u201d he said. \u201cBut then you would have had to redeem Henry, which would have been not rad. But I just thought that was clever.”Still, what stands out is how much affection the Duffers clearly have for the fandom\u2019s imagination. Even when theories veer wildly off course, there\u2019s an appreciation for the thought and care behind them.<\/p>\n Stranger Things is streaming now on Netflix<\/a> in its entirety. Check Collider for more comprehensive coverage on the finale of Stranger Things.<\/p>\n Release Date<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t2016 – 2025-00-00<\/p>\n Network<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNetflix<\/p>\n![\"03112487_poster_w780.jpg\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/03112487_poster_w780.jpg\"\/)
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