- Primary Subject: Caleb McLaughlin’s response to the Stranger Things "Conformity Gate" fan theory
- Key Update: Caleb McLaughlin reacted to the viral "Conformity Gate" theory from Stranger Things fans.
- Status: Confirmed
- Last Verified: February 13, 2026
- Quick Answer: Caleb McLaughlin dismissed the "Conformity Gate" theory as "dumb," confirming no secret episode exists, and the series ended permanently with the December 31 finale.
Stranger Things star Caleb McLaughlin recently weighed in on the infamous "conformity gate" fan theory that made rounds online after the final episode aired.
With the divisive reaction to the hit Netflix show's finale, a popular fan theory emerged online that there might be a secret episode yet to air that would address some of the loopholes and unanswered questions in the final season. While Netflix has iterated that the series is done for good, some fans still believe that the secret episode is on the horizon.
What Does Caleb McLaughlin Think of the Stranger Things Conformity Gate Theory?
Speaking recently with The Hollywood Reporter, McLaughlin finally shared his thoughts on the infamous "conformity gate" fan theory in Stranger Things.
He shut down the idea that the series has a secret episode and reminded fans once again that they have moved on after the final episode aired on December 31.
"At first, I thought the 'Conformity Gate' theory was dumb. I get that people want to live in this optimistic place of, 'Oh, we want more Stranger Things,' but the show is done, guys. I was like, 'Guys, it's over. It's been 10 years. We were full-on kids, and now we're full-on adults, and we don't need any more of us,'" the actor said.
McLaughlin also explained the Duffer Brothers' creative process for making the final episode.
"The Duffers, our wonderful, amazing creators, wanted to leave everybody with this level of optimism that the show has always given everyone. So if they left the show without that, we would have left Stranger Things without the true essence of what we've been representing forever," he said.
The Stranger Things star also reiterated how the final scene of the final episode was a full-circle moment in its storytelling.
"We started off season one playing Dungeons & Dragons, and we ended just like that. And Mike's storytelling and writing ability [that's rooted in D&D] is how the show should have ended," McLaughlin added.
What's Next in the Stranger Things Franchise?
The animated prequel series, Stranger Things: Tales from '85, is set to premiere on Netflix on April 23.
The story takes place between the events of the second and third seasons. Set in 1985, it’s a freezing winter in Hawkins, and our heroes are about to embark on an epic journey where "the original characters must fight new monsters and unravel a paranormal mystery terrorizing their town," the logline reads.
The Duffer Brothers are involved as executive producers of the series, while Flying Bark worked on the animation. However, the main cast from the series won't be reprising their roles.
A live-action spinoff series is also currently in development, but the details are still under wraps as the team is working on finalizing the main idea of the project.
"And the spinoff, it relates in some ways, but it really is a completely different story and a completely different location with completely different actors and characters. So it's its own. It's really its own entity," Matt Duffer teased.
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