'Stranger Things' creator debunks major fan theory ahead of Season 5: 'You think you know...'

Is Eleven really missing in 'Stranger Things' Season 5? Well, there's more to the story it seems
PUBLISHED AUG 6, 2025
Still of Millie Bobby Brown as Eleven in 'Stranger Things' (Cover Image Source:  Instagram | @strangerthingstv)
Still of Millie Bobby Brown as Eleven in 'Stranger Things' (Cover Image Source: Instagram | @strangerthingstv)

'Stranger Things' Season 5 is just around the corner! In the last couple of months, many fan theories have circulated online on various social media platforms, including Reddit, Instagram, and YouTube. Some fans of Netflix's hit show believe that Millie Bobby Brown's character Eleven will turn out to be the target in the fifth and final installment of the sci-fi horror series. The absence of Eleven will seemingly test the strength of the remaining heroes. Netflix fueled the theory further with a promotional poster reading, “Missing Teen: Jane Hopper.” The caption of the Instagram post read, "Who’s *really* looking for Jane Hopper? You’re not ready for what’s to come in Stranger Things 5 #NextOnNetflix."


 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Netflix US (@netflix)


 

Recently, Ross Duffer, co-creator of 'Stranger Things,' addressed the widely circulated fan theory about Eleven’s absence. On August 4, Duffer took to his Instagram and subtly teased the titles of the first two episodes of 'Stranger Things' Season 5 with two photos. However, Duffer blurred out the names of the characters. "Chapters One and Two: locked, mixed, scored, colored, DONE. “The Crawl” is our favorite, most eventful first episode since Season 1," Duffer wrote in the caption of the post.


 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Ross Duffer (@rossduffer)


 

Duffer further added, “The Vanishing of…” (yeah yeah you think you know who blah blah) has by far the craziest cold open we’ve ever done. One of the sequences we’re most proud of this season.

I would tell you runtimes, but I was told not to. At a later date, I guess." Now, the highly anticipated question is if not Eleven, then who vanishes in the final season of 'Stranger Things'? Fans also shared their guesses in the comments section, with many believing it would be Holly Wheeler.

One social media user wrote, "The vanishing of Holly Wheeler? The Vanishing Of Karen Wheeler? The Vanishing of Vecna? The Vanishing Of Will Byers: Part 2?" Followed by a second user who penned, "Ross Duffer is literally a Gen Z boyfriend who plays with our feelings by showing a small number of scenes every month." A netizen commented, "The Vanishing of Ted Wheeler." Another fan shared, "The vanishing of ms holly, we know, we know, poor baby." Another user echoed the same sentiments by writing, "I think it's gonna be the vanishing of Holly Wheeler. She's the only child in the show that's been around since season one that hasn't had her own story of any kind." 

In case you're wondering, Holly Wheeler is the younger sister of Mike Wheeler (played by Finn Wolfhard) and Nancy Wheeler (portrayed by Natalia Dyer). In the first four seasons of 'Stranger Things,'  the character of Holly was essayed by Twin sisters Anniston and Tinsley Price. However, in the fifth season of the beloved show, Nell Fisher will take on the role of Holly. The fans will have to wait a bit longer to get their answers as 'Stranger Things' Season 5 premieres on November 26. 

GET THE BIGGEST ENTERTAINMENT STORIES
STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

MORE STORIES

Most notably discussed by the series faithful was Paul Anderson's Arthur Shelby, a central figure in 'Peaky Blinders.'
13 hours ago
The stirring finale reveals Stacy's fate, making an already-renewed Season 2 another emotional affair
14 hours ago
The actress has been in the spotlight since announcing the cancellation, and now dropped another major piece of information
14 hours ago
Days after Hulu canceled the reboot, Netflix may have just subtly teased picking up the hit show
18 hours ago
Camila Morrone stars as the lead, Rachel, in the upcoming Netflix horror series executive-produced by the Duffer Brothers
1 day ago
Morgan Metzer, married to childhood sweetheart Rodney Metzer for 11 years, endured years of physical and mental abuse, with him gaslighting her
1 day ago
'The Last of Us' Season 3 is expanding Abby’s storyline with the casting of Michelle Mao as Yara and another character Lev
1 day ago
With fan-favorite Dr Jack Abbot missing from the last two episodes of 'The Pitt' Season 2, we look at when exactly Shawn Hatosy could return
1 day ago
The ABC medical drama 'Grey's Anatomy' had previously killed off fan favourite character Dr. Monica Beltran, played by Natalie Morales.
1 day ago
'The Pitt' Season 2 Episode 11 sees chaos peak as a malware outage cripples the ER, while there's an attack on Emma, leaving her fate uncertain.
1 day ago