With Stranger Things ending soon, I've been going through all the Stranger Things fan theories trying to figure out which ones might actually be correct. The symbolism in media throughout the show is so dense, there has to be clues everywhere.
One theory I'm convinced about is that Will is actually connected to the Mind Flayer in a way that will require him to sacrifice himself. Another is that Eleven's powers come from the same source as the Upside Down. What ending explained theories do you think have the most evidence behind them?
I'm pretty convinced about the theory that Will has to sacrifice himself. The foreshadowing analysis is everywhere - he's been connected to the Upside Down since season 1, he keeps having visions, and he's the only one who can sense the Mind Flayer.
The symbolism in media like his connection to the now memories" painting suggests he's meant to be a bridge between worlds. My prediction is that in the final season, they'll realize the only way to permanently close the gates is for someone with a connection to both sides to stay in the Upside Down and maintain the barrier. Will volunteers because he's already been through so much and understands the threat better than anyone.
The theory about Eleven's powers coming from the same source as the Upside Down is really compelling. Think about it - she was experimented on by the government trying to access other dimensions, and her powers seem to work by opening gates between worlds.
What if the Upside Down isn't some alien dimension, but a parallel reality that was created or accessed by the same experiments that gave Eleven her powers? The ending explained theory could be that to truly defeat the Mind Flayer, Eleven has to sacrifice her powers and close all the connections permanently. It would be a bittersweet ending - she saves the world but loses what makes her special.
I think the theory about Hopper being Eleven's biological father might actually be true. The timeline matches up - he lost a daughter around the time Eleven would have been born, and there's been subtle hints about a connection between them since season 1.
The symbolism in their relationship is too strong to ignore. He's protective of her in a way that goes beyond just being a surrogate father figure. If this turns out to be true, it would explain why he was so determined to find her in season 1, and why their bond feels so natural. It would be a great plot twist explanation for their instant connection.