'Stranger Things' creators respond to backlash over Eleven’s storyline in finale

Creators of 'Stranger Things' have responded to fan criticism following comments about series conclusion

The creators of Stranger Things have faced criticism from fans following comments explaining why Eleven did not remain with the group at the end of the series.

The reaction came after the Duffer brothers discussed their reasoning for the character’s fate in the season five finale.

Speaking about the ending, Ross Duffer said there was never a version of the story in which Eleven stayed in Hawkins with her friends. “There was never a version of the story where Eleven was hanging out with the gang at the end,” he said.

He added that the writers did not want to remove her powers, stating, “For our writers and us, we didn’t want to take her powers away. She represents magic in a lot of ways and the magic of childhood.”

Ross Duffer explained that Eleven’s departure was tied to concluding the story of Hawkins and the Upside Down. “For our characters to move on and for the story of Hawkins and the Upside Down to come to a close, Eleven had to go away,” he said.

He added that the ending was designed to be intentionally ambiguous, allowing the characters to believe in a hopeful outcome even without certainty. “We thought it would be beautiful if our characters continued to believe in that happier ending even if we didn’t give them a clear answer,” he said.

Matt Duffer expanded on the decision, saying that if Eleven were alive, she could not remain in contact with the others. “And the reality is, if Eleven is out there, the most that they could hope for is a belief that it’s true because they can’t be in contact with her,” he said. He added, “Everything falls apart if that were the case.”

The explanation prompted strong reactions from viewers. Some fans said the comments framed Eleven as a burden rather than a hero. One wrote, “Eleven is the reason the entire cast didn’t end up in the mind flayer’s stomach, and they’re calling her a burden.” Another said, “We built a connection with her for 10 years, saw her grow up, and at the end, we have to believe either she died or is somewhere alone.”

Others criticised the decision more sharply, with one viewer writing, “Trying to say that your main female character was an obstacle that needed to be written out for everyone else to get a happy ending.”