Sadie Sink says she believes Stranger Things character Eleven may be dead in the series finale, calling her view a “hot take” and explaining why Mike’s version may be a coping story.
Stranger Things star Sadie Sink offered her own interpretation of the ambiguous fate of Eleven in the hit Netflix series’ finale during a recent appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, telling the host she believes the character may not have survived the ending.
Asked what she thought happened to Eleven (played by Millie Bobby Brown) after the emotional final episode concluded, Sink said simply, “I think she’s dead, I don’t know.” When the audience reacted, she added, “Is that like a hot take or something?” demonstrating that her viewpoint differs from some fans’ more optimistic interpretations. Fallon responded in agreement, saying, “I think she is, too.”
The Stranger Things series finale ends with a sequence in which Eleven appears to make a sacrifice by staying behind in the Upside Down while their friends escape and the portal closes. However, the storyline also includes an alternate explanation offered by Mike (Finn Wolfhard), who suggests that Eleven may have survived by faking her death, a concept that has fuelled ongoing fan debate since the finale’s release on December 31, 2025.
Explaining her reasoning, Sink referenced Mike’s version of events as a narrative device rather than literal truth. “I think Mike’s story is just one last story,” she said. “Then they say goodbye to childhood, but that’s just one final tale, and that’s it.” She added, “I think it’s just like a coping thing. I think it’s stronger, right? Yeah_,”_ suggesting that Mike’s interpretation may serve more as emotional closure than an objective outcome.
While her take has sparked renewed discussion among fans, Sink was quick to clarify that her view is her own. “Well that’s my interpretation,” she said, acknowledging that the finale’s ambiguity is intentional and that different viewers may walk away with different understandings of Eleven’s fate.
The Duffer Brothers, creators and executive producers of Stranger Things, have stated in interviews that the ending was designed to be interpretive, allowing fans to decide for themselves what they believe happened to the beloved character. The show’s final season and all episodes are currently available for streaming on Netflix.
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