By: Jasmine Antriasian and Isabel Gittins
SPOILER WARNING AHEAD:
On New Year’s Eve 2025, Stranger Things fans witnessed the most anticipated finale in the history of Netflix original shows. To close off the 9 year run of the hit show “Stranger Things” written and produced by Ross and Matt Duffer, a 2 plus hour finale entitled “The Rightside Up” hit the screens at 8pm sharp. Over a hundred million total fans logged onto Netflix, and viewed the episode that was expected to deliver the perfect ending to a perfect show. However, the episode has received lots of criticism after many fans caught a plethora of plot holes. In this article, we will cover the most intriguing and important ones.
MAJOR PLOT HOLE #1: WHY WERE 12 KIDS TAKEN, AND WHAT IS THE TRUE ASSOCIATION OF VECNA WITH CLOCKS?
Even though clocks and spiders were elaborated on and developed in Season 4, there was never real closure as to why these objects are so symbolic, as well as what they represented. Why does Vecna truly feel so connected to them? Why is he taking children to the memory of the Creel House -with all the clocks- instead of to a more terrorizing memory? 12 hours on a clock? 12 kids? It can’t be a coincidence…
MAJOR PLOT HOLE #2: WHO IS THE SCIENTIST IN THE CAVE, AND WHAT IS THE MAGIC STONE?
Not much more to say here, other than it was never explained or elaborated on. Henry/Vecna was obviously terrified of this stone, and when he came into contact with it, it hurt him and infiltrated him with negative energy and power. How was this discovered? Where? What secrets does the stone truly hold, and what secrets died with Vecna?
Before we reveal the greatest plot hole, here are some minor ones that, while they did not impede understanding of the show, still led to confusion and fans to wonder: what?
MINOR PLOT HOLES: NOVEMBER 6TH, LIGHTS, CREATURES
Along with the major story line faults, there are also some slight lingering questions which the viewers yearn to be answered. One: the true significance of November 6th. The day Will disappeared and the day time in Upside Down was frozen. Why this day? Is it random? We got hints that it had a deeper meaning in Season 5, but we never got answers. Two: how were the characters, Joyce and Will for example, able to communicate through the lights in the early seasons, with more characters following as the show progressed, without any issues? And now, they can communicate easily with just walkie talkies and radios. Did they just become more educated? Or did the Duffers just forget about using the lights in the earlier seasons, as the flickers definitely provoked feelings of fear, excitement, and anticipation. And three: why were there no demodogs/demogorgans/demobats in the Abyss? In the behind the scenes documentary, clips are shown of writers and the Duffers discussing if they should have them in the Abyss, but they were never added. Why? Is this a mistake…or is there deeper meaning?
MAJOR PLOT HOLE #3: HOW WAS WILL NOT HARMED IN THE FINAL BATTLE AGAINST THE MIND FLAYER/VECNA?
The last and most important plot hole has to do with the character that started it all: Will Byers. In episode 4 of the last season, we find out that Will and Vecna are connected via the “hive mind”; basically, whatever Vecna feels and thinks, Will does as well. Will practically experiences life vicariously through Vecna, especially when feeling hurt or pain. Through the hive mind, Will is able to conclude Vecna’s true plan, as well as the location of the young Holly Wheeler. So, one would think that at the time of Vecna’s demise, Will would die right along with him. In the final battle, the original gang finally kills off Vecna by impaling him with a sharp spike located within the Mind Flayer…ouch! If Vecna experienced an immense amount of pain – so much so to the point of death – then why did Will not feel this as well? So, is Will only tapped into the hive mind when the possibility of death is not present? Or was this simply a slip up by the Duffer brothers?
With all of these plot holes, we understand we may have left you guys even more confused than you were to begin with. So, here’s a final question to leave you wondering: is Eleven alive? And why/why not…
