With the final two parts of Netflix’s Stranger Things on the horizon, everyone is buzzing about how it’s all going to end. This season, stakes are higher than ever, so let’s dive into some of the most talked about predictions for the epic conclusion of our favorite Hawkins-crew’s Journey.

Time travel/reset: Some believe the key to defeating Vecna lies in time travel 11 or another character might go back in time to prevent the events that led to the Upside Down’s connection to Hawkins potentially resetting the timeline. Throughout the entire show; there is always a grandfather clock present. Whether there’s occasional chimes or the clock being physically present, time has always been a very important plot in Stranger Things, which supports the idea of the finale to endure some sort of time travel.
Eleven sacrifices herself: A prevalent theory that suggests Eleven will have to make the ultimate sacrifice to close the gate and Destroy Vecna for good; this would be a bittersweet ending emphasizing her growth and the extent of her powers. From the start, Eleven’s story has been about sacrifice, thinking back to season one when she closed the demogorgon gate and disappeared, it makes sense that she might have to do something similar, but bigger, to end the suffering Hawkin’s has endured.

the upside down merges: The barrier between the upside down and the real world could completely break down leading to emerged reality. The characters would then have to find a way to survive, coexist, or fight for control in this newly combined world. The earthquakes and cracks in Hawkins are getting worse; showing the upside down is growing bigger as the vines are spreading. This suggests the two worlds might combine. While this is the least likely of these theories, it wouldn’t be totally out of the water. How are these kids going to stop the Mindflayer and Vecna from taking over?

Vecna’s Redemption: a darker, less popular theory is that Vecna might have a chance of redemption. Exploring the true nature of the upside down or his past could lead to a change of heart resulting in the unexpected Alliance. We know a lot about Vecna’s past but there might be more to the story if the show digs deeper into the way he became evil like it did in the Broadway show, The First Shadow. It could open an opportunity for characters like eleven or her sister, Kali–who’s return was revealed in the final episode of S5 CH4–to fight Vecna with these memories and open a door of change for the villain.