Stranger Things Creators Promise They’ll Reveal Eleven’s Fate in 20 Years
During a recent interview on Josh Horowitz’s podcast Happy, Sad, Confused, Stranger Things creators Matt and Ross Duffer reflected on the Netflix series finale and revealed several behind-the-scenes decisions.
One of the biggest mysteries from the finale is Eleven’s fate, which the Duffer Brothers have committed to keeping secret—for 20 years. They deflected questions about Millie Bobby Brown’s character’s conclusion with humor, indicating they have no immediate plans to publicly explain the resolution.
The creators also addressed long-standing speculation about Season 2’s controversial seventh episode, “The Lost Sister.” Rumors had persisted that the episode was intended as a backdoor pilot for a spinoff series, but the Duffers dismissed these claims as “bulls**t.” However, they acknowledged the episode as one of their biggest regrets from the show’s run, expressing a desire to redo it if given the opportunity.
In another revelation, the Duffers admitted they conducted an additional half-day of reshoots specifically to enhance Steve Harrington’s fake-out death scene in the finale. The creators were deliberately “f**king with the audience,” extending the dramatic moment to maximize tension and uncertainty around Joe Keery’s character’s survival. This intentional manipulation of fan expectations demonstrated the meticulous attention the showrunners paid to the finale’s emotional beats.
The interview showcased the creators’ candid approach to discussing their creative decisions and regrets, while maintaining strategic mysteries about their show’s conclusion.