Stranger Things star Millie Bobby Brown says Eleven's ending is "beautiful and cathartic," but she "kinda loves" Mike's version

1. Entertainment
2. TV
3. Sci-Fi Shows
4. Stranger Things

Stranger Things star Millie Bobby Brown says Eleven's ending is "beautiful and cathartic," but she "kinda loves" Mike's version News By Megan Garside published 9 January 2026

Only Millie Bobby Brown and the Duffers know what really happened to Eleven

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

(Image credit: Netflix) Share Share by:

• Copy link
• Facebook
• X
• Whatsapp
• Pinterest
• Flipboard

Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google

Despite many fans feeling a little disappointed by the Stranger Things season 5 finale, Eleven star Millie Bobby Brown seems to be happy with her character's ending.

Halfway through the finale, Eleven decides to stay inside the gate just as Hopper's bomb detonates, blowing up the Upside Down and destroying everything inside it, including Eleven. In an interview with Tudum, Brown says Eleven's choice was "so beautiful and cathartic" and something she had wanted for a "very long time."

Eleven ultimately sacrificed herself so that Dr. Kay or anybody else would never be able to use her powers for evil again, avoiding any future chance of opening up another gate. You can read more on that in our Stranger Things season 5 finale ending explained. "I just think it's incredibly important that it all ends for her, and the suffering and the pain end," said Brown.

You may like

• The Duffer brothers say they know what really happened to Eleven after the Stranger Things season 5 finale
• Stranger Things star Sadie Sink weighs in on Eleven's ambiguous fate: "I think Mike's story is just one last story"
• Stranger Things creators say [SPOILER's] "selfless" and "heroic" sacrifice was essential to the Netflix show

However, during the epilogue, we learn that Eleven's love interest Mike Wheeler doesn't believe that Eleven is dead. Mike spins a different story about his girlfriend's fate, telling his friends that Kali actually projected an image of Eleven at the gate, whilst the real El escaped behind the soldiers. In Mike's daydreams, we see Eleven living remotely in Iceland, visiting the waterfalls they had spoken about earlier. "I kinda love that ending, that there is just such a bigger purpose to Kali's powers," added Brown.

So, is Eleven alive? On the Happy, Sad, Confused podcast, series creators the Duffer brothers said that they left Eleven's fate "ambiguous" so that viewers can choose for themselves what happened to her, confirming that only they and Brown know what really happened to her. On the other hand, Brown co-star Sadie Sink seems to think Eleven really is gone, as she told The Tonight Show host Jimmy Fallon, "I think she's dead… I think, like, Mike's story is just one last story."

The complete Stranger Things series is available to watch on Netflix now, and you can read our Stranger Things season 5 finale review for a deep dive. For more, check out our guide to the best Netflix shows, and keep up with new TV shows.

Sign up for the Total Film Newsletter

Bringing all the latest movie news, features, and reviews to your inbox

Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over. CATEGORIES Netflix Streaming Services Megan GarsideSocial Links NavigationJunior Social Media Editor, GamesRadar+

I'm the Junior Social Media Editor here at GamesRadar+, handling all of Total Film's social platforms. However, I also write, covering all things film and TV for the site's entertainment section. I joined GamesRadar+ in 2023 and have been here ever since. I previously worked in communications after graduating with an MA in journalism. In my spare time, you can find me binging horror movies or getting lost in a cosy little game on my Switch.

Show More Comments

You must confirm your public display name before commenting

Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.

Logout Read more The Duffer brothers say they know what really happened to Eleven after the Stranger Things season 5 finale    Stranger Things star Sadie Sink weighs in on Eleven's ambiguous fate: "I think Mike's story is just one last story"    Stranger Things creators say [SPOILER's] "selfless" and "heroic" sacrifice was essential to the Netflix show    Most Stranger Things fans were expecting multiple major deaths in season 5, but the Duffer Brothers explain why that wasn't going to happen    Stranger Things fans are debating the finale's biggest question — do you believe?    One easily missed detail in the Stranger Things season 5 finale might hint that a major character survived after all    Latest in Sci-Fi Shows Stranger Things' final battle was going to feature Demos, but Ross Duffer was worried fans were "fatigued" by them    Stranger Things fans crash Netflix waiting for non-existent secret final episode, as Conformity Gate comes to an end    Vecna star Jamie Campbell Bower thinks his Stranger Things season 5 fate is "the ending the show deserves"    Stranger Things' Vecna star has sent fans into a Conformity Gate conspiracy theory frenzy: "Tomorrow it begins"    I love Stranger Things, but I can't help feeling short-changed by season 5's lacklustre finale    Stranger Things star Sadie Sink knows she took forever to escape in season 5: "Clearly I’m taking my sweet time with it"    Latest in News Stranger Things star Millie Bobby Brown says Eleven's ending is "cathartic," but she "kinda loves" Mike's version    Final Fantasy 7 Remake lead says Barret grew on him when remaking the classic JRPG    A Nightmare on Elm Street sequel director shares game-changing never-before-seen stills from "lost" alternate ending    Final Fantasy 7 Remake lead feels "the passing of the ages" with new Square Enix devs calling FF13 their favorite, not 6    28 Years Later: The Bone Temple director has thrown in her pitch for Sony's Clue remake    Where to buy Pokemon TCG Ascended Heroes    GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS

1. 1Trails Beyond the Horizon review: "This JRPG's thrilling real-time and turn-based combat evolves Metaphor ReFantazio's hybrid battles, making up for a poorly paced adventure"
2. 2This alt-history board game is still a gold standard for modern strategy
3. 3Skate Story review: "A beautiful and unique skateboarding game with great, stylized visuals set in a grungy underworld"
4. 4Octopath Traveler 0 review: "The strongest entry in this retro-styled JRPG series yet, I love the greater focus on tactical battles"
5. 5Sleep Awake review: "An all-timer horror premise is let down by tired stealth that I feel like I'm sleepwalking through"

1. 1Avatar: Fire and Ash review: "Still a technical marvel, with some of the year's best action filmmaking"
2. 2Five Nights at Freddy's 2 review: "We have waited two years for a Five Nights at Freddy's 1.5"
3. 3Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery review: "Brings Knives Out back to its roots for a sequel that's almost on a par with the original"
4. 4Wicked: For Good review: "Builds to an incredibly cathartic conclusion, but isn't quite as captivating as Part 1"
5. 5The Running Man review: "Some fun action and Glen Powell's star power aren't enough to energize this disappointing Stephen King adaptation"

1. 1Stranger Things season 5 finale review: “Shows off both the best and the worst of Hawkins”
2. 2Stranger Things season 5, Volume 2 review: “All set up for a finale that has so much to deliver”
3. 3Fallout season 2 review: "A hell of a lot of fun despite being overcrowded and convoluted"
4. 4Stranger Things season 5 volume 1 review: “Can the Duffer brothers stick the landing? It’s sure looking like they will”
5. 5Pluribus season 1 review: "Easily one of the year's best dramas"