Stranger Things 4's Ending Setup Supports A Tragic Upside Down Theory

WARNING! This article contains SPOILERS for Stranger Things season 4, vol. 1!

The final trailer for Stranger Things season 4, volume 2 teases that a tragic theory about the Upside Down taking over Hawkins will become a reality. While the Russians, scientists, the U.S. Army, and stereotypical bullies have all been notable antagonists for Stranger Things’ heroes, the overarching fight has always been between Hawkins and the Upside Down. Certain beings from the Upside Down like Demogorgons and the Mind Flayer have seeped into Hawkins through open gates during Stranger Things seasons 1, 2, and 3, but season 4 may end with a far more catastrophic and I'mwidespread invasion.

Stranger Things season 4 sees the characters take on the most terrifying Upside Down villain yet, as Vecna is not only a product of the dimension’s evil, but also of the villainy that derives from the real world. As Eleven tried to gain her powers back after losing them in season 3’s climactic battle with the Mind Flayer, Dr. Brenner aided her recovery of memories lost after the Hawkins Lab massacre. The Nina Project allowed Eleven to regain her powers and recall the identity of Number One, with Stranger Things season 4, volume 1’s ending twist revealing he was actually Henry Creel. After Number One massacred everyone in Hawkins Lab, Eleven banished him to the Upside Down, where he spent seven years becoming part of the dimension and morphing into Vecna.

The cliffhanger ending from Stranger Things season 4, volume 1 left the characters preparing for a battle in both the Upside Down and the real dimension with Vecna, who is intent on destroying Hawkins and taking as many victims with him as possible. The official trailer for Stranger Things season 4, volume 2 reveals the set-up for the installment's ending, which includes Eleven’s return to Hawkins and fight with Number One in the Upside Down, Vecna placing more characters into trances, and an ominous warning that Eleven’s friends “have lost” their fight. While the end of Stranger Things’ seasons typically see Hawkins defeating the Upside Down’s villains, season 4’s finale won’t be satisfying for the town.

The Upside Down Takes Over Hawkins Theory Explained

Stranger Things Eleven Mind Flayer Upside Down

The Upside Down has made increasingly destructive attempts at infiltrating Hawkins throughout Stranger Things’ series, but has yet to manage a complete takeover of the dimension. After seemingly defeating the Demogorgons and Mind Flayer, which always return smarter and deadlier, Stranger Things has been building up to a foe that Hawkins’ teens and adults can’t defeat on their own. Now, not only is Vecna motivated to murder Hawkins’ teenagers, but he also grew up in Hawkins himself, making him the most adept villain to successfully destroy the town with the Upside Down. As such, one of the biggest theories for Stranger Things’ season 4 ending was that the Upside Down would finally take over Hawkins by breaking the barrier that divided the two dimensions.

With Vecna controlling a new host of creatures in the Upside Down and seemingly being the one to influence the Mind Flayer, Hawkins isn't left with many options to stop his invasion unless it can kill the source – which points to Vecna. The villain has now murdered several of Hawkins’ teenagers and placed his curse on Max and Nancy, with these deaths having opened at least four gates connecting Hawkins to the Upside Down. If the theory proves to be true, season 4, volume 2’s ending will see a full-scale war with the Upside Down in Hawkins, complete with the U.S. military guarding the town and multiple Stranger Things character deaths.

Stranger Things Hinted Vecna Won’t Die In Season 4

Vecna Recharges In Stranger Things 4 Volume 1

As has been the case before, the Dungeons & Dragons game in the Stranger Things season 4 premiere hints at how the teens’ battle with the Upside Down will commence. During Eddie’s campaign, Dustin, Erica, and Mike nearly lose their fight, as Eddie reveals that while they thought the biggest threat had been killed: Vecna lives. Dustin then rolls an eleven, which wasn't enough to eliminate the Vecna, suggesting the teens will lose the first round in the real fight against the villain. However, Erica takes the next roll and scores a 20, finally defeating Vecna and winning the campaign. This game seems to indicate that the battle with the Upside Down in Stranger Things’ season 4 finale can’t be won with just Eleven, ergo Vecna won’t die until their next fight in season 5.

The Duffer brothers have also compared Stranger Things season 5 to the series’ equivalent of Star Wars: Return of the Jedi, with all of the past conflicts and developments culminating in a satisfying conclusion. However, this also means Stranger Things season 4 is the series’ version of The Empire Strikes Back, which notably ended in a hopeless and catastrophic loss for the main characters before addressing their failures at the start of Return of the Jedi. Darth Vader wasn’t defeated in The Empire Strikes Back, which points to Vecna also surviving Stranger Things season 4. If Vecna finishes Stranger Things season 4, volume 2 with the upper hand, his plan to invade Hawkins through the many gates he has opened will undoubtedly be successful.

Stranger Things 4 Vol 2 Trailer Teases The Upside Down’s Hawkins Takeover

The trailer for Stranger Things season 4, volume 2 already revealed that Eddie, Steve, Robin, Nancy, Dustin, and Eleven will battle Vecna and the Demobats inside of the Upside Down, but it also teases that the alternate dimension will emerge with the advantage. As Vecna says in Stranger Things’ season 4 finale trailer, Eleven’s friends “have lost,” suggesting they won’t be able to stop the villain from bringing his army through the gates to Hawkins. Throughout the many bleak shots and heroic actions depicted in Stranger Things season 4, volume 2’s trailer, Dr. Brenner’s words resonate the loudest as he warns that “Hawkins will fall.” The Duffers’ tease of Stranger Things season 4’s unhappy ending won’t simply be due to the deaths of beloved characters, but also the notion that these figures were unable to take down Vecna and the Upside Down’s monsters as they had in past seasons.

One of the most jarring shots from Stranger Things season 4, volume 2’s trailer was of Eleven standing on a bridge with the sky lit up gray and red. This moment hints that the Upside Down could finally be pouring into Hawkins, with only Eleven’s powers as the town’s defense. The trailer is also fairly discouraging in terms of the prospects for Hawkins’ survival, with Robin declaring this could be the time it doesn’t work out well for them.

As the Duffers have hinted, it won’t – Stranger Things season 5's opening scene will pick up with the characters still in the middle of the conflicts from season 4’s ending, pointing to the notion that the final scenes could see the Upside Down completely occupying Hawkins. Stranger Things season 5 would thus return with high adrenaline and urgency for Eleven and all of Hawkins’ residents, as the main characters wouldn’t be the only ones in this fight any longer. After years of attempting to close the gates and expel the Upside Down’s influence, Hawkins may finally fall in Stranger Things’ season 4 finale.

Next: Stranger Things 5 Ending Tease Hints At Using Original Eleven Death Plan

Stranger Things season 4, volume 2 arrives on Netflix on July 1.

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