Warning: This list contains spoilers for Stranger Things season 4.
After waiting to return to the fascinating supernatural world of Stranger Things, fans binge-watched part one of season 4 in just a few days. These packed episodes tell the story of a massacre that took place while Eleven was at Dr. Brenner's lab and how Eleven and Mike Wheeler's relationship is faring now that they're living in separate towns.
After becoming part of a friend group for the first time in her life and learning how to use her powers against the monsters in her new town, Eleven has made quite the impression on fans. But while she's a popular character, some Redditors are sharing hot takes on her story and personality.
Eleven Has Too Much Hype
After Eleven first appears in season 1 of Stranger Things, she's a popular character, and fans and the friend group alike learn more about her story, her powers, and her desire to find love, compassion, and connection. But even though she is a beloved part of the show, some feel that she has been overhyped.
Redditor distortedrebel wrote, "I never really managed to connect with her or find her as great as she'd been hyped up to be." Since Eleven's powers are so interesting and her action scenes are so exciting, it's hard not to want to discuss her entire arc.
Mike And Eleven Don't Belong Together
Eleven and Mike are a fan favorite Stranger Things couple and have been since they first bond and then develop romantic feelings for each other. Watching them struggle through a long-distance love story at the beginning of season 4 is sad, especially since Eleven lies about being accepted by her classmates.
Redditor GolfWang123170 shared the unpopular opinion that Mike and Eleven aren't a great couple, writing, "I really don’t care for them together and sometimes it seems a little forced."
Eleven Has No Character Development
Redditor marymayhemz doesn't think that Eleven is well-developed and wrote that the show will "recreate the same scene over and over in every season." The fan added that there is "No depth or growth in that character at all."
While some don't like Eleven, the general consensus is that Eleven changes a lot from season 1 to season 4, finding more courage and working on her self-esteem and ability to trust others. Eleven still struggles since she's dealing with high school life along with the trauma of her past.
Eleven Ruins The Friend Group Dynamic
The relationships that the main characters have with each other are often appreciated, Redditor Benj97s shared the unpopular opinion that Eleven will "get in the way of the boys banter/chemistry."
A more common take is that it's sweet seeing Eleven bond with Mike, Dustin, Lucas, Will, and Max, and it's heartwarming that the characters grow to care about each other so much in such a brief amount of time.
It's Better To Focus On Eleven's Personality Than Her Powers
Eleven can be a confusing Stranger Things character, but from the moment that she first appears in Hawkins, her powers are seen as special, vital to the friend group's mission, and something that everyone wants to understand more about.
Redditor strthings333 shared the unpopular opinion that instead of focusing on Eleven's powers and abilities, a "more compelling angle is seeing a vulnerable, poorly treated girl try to understand normal life."
It's "Predictable" That Eleven Wins A Lot
Redditor RADIOACTIVEGAMER2211 believes that Stranger Things is "a bit predictable at times" and that the show's storylines are often about "eleven always wins."
While it's true that this does happen quite often, at least once a season, Eleven's ability to use her powers to save Hawkins and ensure that her friends will be safe from The Mind Flayer and the other monsters is often seen as a memorable and moving part of the series.
The Series Could Have Concluded With Eleven Leaving
Stranger Things fans have questions about Eleven, and while season 4 has answered some, it still feels like her journey has a long way to go. While waiting for season 5 feels exciting as the final season is likely to be fast-paced and fun, not everyone feels that Eleven is a key part of the series.
Redditor binaryeye wrote, "the show should have ended with the D&D scene in S1E8 (i.e. Eleven is really gone, Will is back to normal)."
It's More Interesting When Eleven Isn't A Regular Teen
Season 3 of Stranger Things is often considered to be a popular and well-crafted season, as the characters are spending most of the summer of 1985 at the Starcourt Mall. After watching a lot of background about Eleven's development of her powers, horrible "Papa" Dr. Brenner, and how she came to Hawkins, Eleven befriends Max and has some fun.
Reddit cactuscat15 doesn't love Eleven's character arc during these episodes and wrote, "I just hate how ‘normal’ she became."
Eleven Isn't Nice
Eleven is a favorite Stranger Things character, beloved for her bond with the friend group and the father/daughter dynamic that she shares with Hopper. It has been moving watching her change over the seasons.
Redditor Keller213 wrote that Eleven is "ungrateful, disrespectful, and just rude," an unpopular opinion since Eleven is seen as someone who has gone through a lot and is doing the best that she can to understand the world around her.
Could Eleven Really Speak To 001?
For some fans, season 4 delivers necessary backstory for Eleven, sharing about a horrible masscare at the lab and explaining more about her journey.
Redditor Urban-Survival22 shared that after watching season 4, it seems confusing that Eleven could have "adult conversations" with 001/Henry Creel and when she and the child characters meet in Hawkins, she's "like a newborn child" and can't speak the same way at all.