Exploring fan conspiracy theories about ‘Stranger Things’ season 4
(Credit: Netflix)

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Exploring fan conspiracy theories about 'Stranger Things' season 4

Some talk about how the fourth season will record the Chernobyl disaster while some say Eleven is the next much-awaited villain. Reddit and the Internet are filled with crazy conspiracy theories since fans are highly excited for the arrival of Stranger Things season four this month. 

Arriving in two parts, the first volume is scheduled for a May 27th release while the second part will premiere on Netflix on July 1st. Created by the Duffer brothers, namely Matt and Ross, Stranger Things has become a pop-cultural phenomenon ever since its inception in 2016. With a massive ensemble cast, the show has inculcated a huge cult-like fan following. 

The meteoric success of the show can be charted by taking into account the sheer genius of the Duffer brothers as they managed to incorporate every child’s dream sequence into the web of the sci-fi and supernatural, in this beloved and nostalgic ode to the ‘80s.

With interdimensional time travel, mysterious portals, a child with telekinetic powers, a despicable monster, ruthless government experiments, evil bureaucracy and dysfunctional families, Stranger Things has it all. 

The showrunners did not hold back in evoking a sense of nostalgia via grunge aesthetics, ominous background score and vivid imagery in the fictional sleepy town of Hawkins, Indiana where the events take place. Starring Millie Bobby Brown, David Harbour, Winona Ryder, Finn Wolfhard, Gaten Matarazzo, Joe Keery, Sadie Sink, Caleb McLaughlin, Noah Schnapp and others, the show is finally on its way after months of eager anticipation.

Read our complete rundown of Stranger Things season three here before reading the insane conspiracy theories about season four: 

Exploring fan conspiracy theories about ‘Stranger Things’ season 4

Will Billy Hargrove be the next villain? 

Based on the title of the episode, the titular monster Vecna could possibly return as a gruesome conglomeration of the Mind Flayer and Billy’s conscious. The gang is under the impression that they have defeated the Mind Flayer with Billy’s selfless sacrifice in season three. However, many are convinced that Vecna might return, stronger and more ruthless and might try to build a connection with Max by impersonating Billy. 

The trailer shows how Max is in possession of Eleven’s powers, causing her to levitate and later pass out in the trailer, feeling drained much like Eleven. It might be that the Vecna originates from the eerie grandfather clock in the Creel House and will probably attempt to manipulate the ones around her to achieve her sinister goals. 

Will the fourth season play around with time?

All the teasers have hinted at the distortion of time and space; clocks have featured heavily in almost all the teasers. Horror loves dabbling in the space-time paradox since time immemorial, especially works like Nightmare on Elm Street which has admittedly inspired season four. Just like Elm Street, most of the events across the seasons have shown the characters having a hard time distinguishing dreams from reality. 

While Hopper’s escape from the clutches of death has raised questions about possible time travel, many believe Eleven to face something similar to Will from season two. In the second season, Will would often find himself in Upside-Down. the characters might have a hard time understanding what is real and what isn’t while trying to escape the pernicious clutches of Upside-Down. 

Did Hopper travel back in time? 

The fourth season will take place across three locations, namely Kamchatka, Hawkins and California. While the third season ends with a mind-numbing explosion which indicates Hopper’s death, the fourth season will see Hopper returning. This has ignited a lot of theories about Hopper escaping the explosion by travelling back in time. 

Also, one of the posters shows how Joyce, Murray and Hopper appear together in Russia. Whether Murray and Joyce will help Hopper break out of the question is one of the theories that is making rounds. 

Will Eleven become the villain? 

Billy and Will have both been possessed by the creature through physical contact; Billy lost his life while Will managed to evict the monster from his body with the help of his family and friends. Eleven, too, gets possessed during the battle of Starcourt mall. After she manages to remove it using her powers, she surprisingly loses it which could indicate the Mind Flayer has taken control of her powers. 

Whether Vecna will take control of this situation is a question that only season four can answer. Some fans think that Hopper can bring back Eleven from California and help her fight against Vecna. Others think that Max, who is seemingly in control of her powers, might fight against Eleven and help her fight against Vecna. 

Will they lose towards the end of volume one? 

Season four has been broken into two parts. Of all the conspiracy theories, this seems the most viable. Any film or show, when broken into two halves, usually ends the first volume with evil overtaking good while the next part will definitely show good triumphing evil in a satisfying manner. 

Some fans have compared this to Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame. Dr. Owens said that they cannot win without Eleven this year; season three ends with Eleven losing her powers. With her telekinetic powers missing, Eleven will not be able to battle the ominous monsters that threaten the Stranger Things gang.