Finn Wolfhard hosted Saturday Night Live with a sketch spoofing the backlash to Stranger Things' finale, including a nod to the Conformity Gate theory about a hidden better ending. The episode drew criticism for some jokes but highlighted ongoing fan discontent. Attendees like the Duffer Brothers faced heckling from upset viewers.
Finn Wolfhard, known for his role in Netflix's Stranger Things, hosted Saturday Night Live over the weekend following the series' conclusion last month. The episode featured a notable spoof of the show, capitalizing on the online backlash to its divisive fifth season finale. The sketch addressed the Conformity Gate conspiracy, which claims a secret ninth episode exists to provide a superior resolution to the story.
In the skit, Wolfhard and co-stars reunite on a mountaintop in Iceland. Wolfhard declares, “everything we thought happened was an illusion that was planted by Vecna.” When challenged for a reason to believe him, he replies, “How about eleven?” Kenan Thompson then appears as Eleven, holding an Eggo waffle and speaking gibberish, playing on the character's traits.
The parody also envisioned Netflix extending the franchise through spin-offs, such as a Sex and the City-style series set in 1990s New York with Wolfhard's character Mike as a writer. However, it included controversial elements: a tasteless quip about Lucas's future intimacy with Max, who “just lies there like she’s back in that coma,” referencing her season storyline. Another joke targeted Will's extended coming-out scene in season five, suggesting it was still ongoing and thus blocking a spin-off. Some viewers labeled this homophobic, though the humor focused on the scene's length rather than orientation.
Wolfhard's opening monologue drew separate criticism for misogynistic humor, likening his first encounter with female anatomy to facing a Demogorgon. The Duffer Brothers, the show's creators, attended the taping and were heckled by dissatisfied fans outside the venue.
The Conformity Gate theory has largely faded, with actor Joe Keery denying any such episode. Persistent believers speculate it may still emerge, amid broader fan frustration with the ending.
