Duffer Brothers Face Backlash Over Stranger Things Ending Claim as Fans Say It Doesn’t Add Up
At the London premiere of Stranger Things Season 5, the Duffer Brothers torched the decoy-ending chatter, confirming no fake finales were ever scripted or shot — even as fresh behind-the-scenes footage keeps fans guessing.
Stranger Things Season 5 is barely out of the gate and we already have dueling narratives: the Duffers say there were zero fake endings, fans think the show absolutely shot decoys, and leaked set clips are stirring the pot. Welcome to finale season.
The Duffers say no fake endings. Fans say... are you sure?
At the London premiere of Season 5, the Duffer Brothers told Capital Buzz they didn’t even script alternate endings, let alone film any. Clean and simple.
Then a bunch of behind-the-scenes footage started leaking online. One clip that’s getting traction suggests Steve Harrington ends the series single and shares his last scene with Dustin, and that’s why some fans think the creators are playing coy.
To be clear: leaks are leaks. They might be real, they might be misdirection, they might be old footage, they might be context-free. But the timing is suspicious enough that people are calling out the Duffers for downplaying any spoiler-proofing tactics.
Why Steve is the center of the fan skepticism
Steve’s arc up through Season 4 sets him up as the emotional bodyguard of the group. He still has leftover feelings for Nancy he can’t really act on, and as the Upside Down starts bleeding into Hawkins for real, Steve leans even harder into being the protector/caretaker guy. That’s why a lot of fans have spent two years bracing for a tragic Steve ending. It just fits the trajectory.
What Joe Keery actually said about Steve’s fate
Joe Keery didn’t spoil anything, but he did tell ExtraTV that he’s satisfied with where Steve lands and thinks the audience will be too. That doesn’t confirm happy or sad; it confirms intentional.
"I was very happy, though, with the way it wrapped up for me. Fans would absolutely like it."
He also admitted he’s sad to see the series go after more than a decade, but feels like this is the right moment to say goodbye. Translation: whatever happens to Steve, it should feel earned.
So... fake endings or not?
Let’s talk strategy. Stranger Things is one of Netflix’s crown jewels. Big finales for big IPs almost always face leaks, drone footage, and bored background actors with camera phones. Marvel has practically turned spoiler control into an art form. Given that, alternate endings or misleading setups would make a lot of sense here.
The Duffers publicly said there were none. Maybe that’s true. Maybe the production’s countermeasures were more about tight scripts, closed sets, and selective reshoots than full-blown fake endings. Or maybe we’re watching the long con. Either way, the internet is going to dissect every blurry frame until the final credits roll.
Where the leaks point right now
If those clips are legit, Steve ends the show single and shares a final moment with Dustin. That would line up with his Season 4 emotional state and his whole guardian vibe, even if it’s not the swoony Nancy endgame some people wanted. It would also be exactly the kind of bittersweet ending Keery could call satisfying without lying.
Quick refresher for context
- Series and creators: Stranger Things from the Duffer Brothers
- Key cast: Winona Ryder, David Harbour, Finn Wolfhard, Millie Bobby Brown
- Season 4 vibe check: the Upside Down starts merging with reality; Steve still carries a torch for Nancy and doubles down as the group’s protector
- Season 4 Rotten Tomatoes: 88% critics, 89% audience
The bottom line
The Duffers insist there were no fake endings. The leaks and the fandom’s read on Steve’s arc say otherwise. Joe Keery promises you’ll like where Steve lands, which, knowing this show, probably means bring tissues but not torches.
Stranger Things is streaming on Netflix in the US. Where do you land: trust the Duffers, or bet on decoys?