After almost a decade, Stranger Things will finally reveal what the Upside Down actually is. Speaking with Variety, co-creator Ross Duffer said: “Every season would be like, ‘Should we talk about it?’ And we’d go, ‘No, let’s wait.’ And then finally, we’re like, ‘Well, we have to now!'”
Ever since the Demogorgon dragged Will Byers into the alternate dimension, fans have voiced various theories, but when season five lands on Netflix, we’ll finally get answers. “We knew roughly what the end scene was for years — it wasn’t something we had a strain to come up with,” Matt Duffer added.
“There were elements of it that were discussed for weeks, but the core idea of the ending, we had for a really long time. Anyway, we’re really happy with the way it ended. It’s nerve-racking to put it out. I’m sure people will have opinions!”
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Among the endless theories on Reddit, some have suggested that the Upside Down was created by Vecna and designed to look like Hawkins, because it was the exact place he wanted to rule. Meanwhile, others have suggested that Eleven may be responsible for creating the alternate dimension, which may be an extension of her subconscious.
The notion that the Upside Down could be an alternate version of Earth altogether has also been discussed on the platform. While these remain theories, in just over a month, fans will hopefully get some clarity.
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Earlier this year, Netflix confirmed that the fifth season of Stranger Things would be split into three volumes, with the first four episodes set to arrive on 26 November. The next three episodes will then follow on Christmas Day (25 December), while the finale arrives on 31 December.
An official synopsis reads: “The fall of 1987. Hawkins is scarred by the opening of the Rifts, and our heroes are united by a single goal: find and kill Vecna. But he has vanished — his whereabouts and plans unknown.
“Complicating their mission, the government has placed the town under military quarantine and intensified its hunt for Eleven, forcing her back into hiding. As the anniversary of Will’s disappearance approaches, so does a heavy, familiar dread.
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“The final battle is looming — and with it, a darkness more powerful and more deadly than anything they’ve faced before. To end this nightmare, they’ll need everyone — the full party — standing together, one last time.”
Speaking about the show’s final season, actor Finn Wolfhard told People magazine, “I was so happy with my character’s ending. I was satisfied, but I was also very confused and sad, but also very happy.”
“The cast all stayed for the last day, we were all there together. It was really great to be around each other.”
Stranger Things seasons 1-4 are streaming on Netflix. Season five premieres on 26 November.
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Megan is a freelance news reporter for Digital Spy.Â