'Stranger Things' Episode 9 hoax CRASHES Netflix; Fans react as Duffer brothers debunk 'conformity gate' theory

The fan theory claiming that a secret ninth episode of 'Stranger Things' season 5 would drop on January 7, went viral enough that it literally crashed streaming platform Netflix. The popular 'conformity gate' theory sent social media into a spin, following the overwhelmingly negative reception to the series finale of 'Stranger Things', only for fans to discover that no such episode exists. The theory, suggested that the series’ finale titled 'The Rightside Up', was in fact a false ending, and that a hidden final chapter 'Episode 9' would be released today. However, reports have since confirmed that there is no additional new episode. While series creators Matt and Ross Duffer have not directly addressed the theory, the streaming platform's social media profiles appeared to quietly shut down the rumours with a clear message, "ALL EPISODES OF STRANGER THINGS ARE NOW PLAYING."Fans react to 'Stranger Things' hoaxThe revelation sparked a wave of reactions online, with fans flooding social media platforms with memes, jokes and not holding back on their disappointment. “LMFAO Netflix crashing and Episode 9 doesn’t even exist,” wrote one user, while another commented, “At least we went crazy together. #ConformityGate.” Another tweeted, "This theory was great either way, because now its gonna haunt the duffer brothers knowing their finale was so bad we had to theorise and crash netflix for an alternate ending that didnt exist."Still another added, "It was truly fun while it lasted #conformitygate." Several fans joked that the theory itself was proof of the collective disappointment among fans over the finale. Since the finale debuted on New Year's eve, many have taken to their handles to compare the finale to the disappointing series finale of 'Game of Thrones', saying that many questions about the series remained unanswered and that the much-hyped-about battle scene was 'underwhelming'.Aboutthe'Strangert Things' fan theoryThe conspiracy theories going viral suggested that the finale was nothing more than the show’s villain Vecna “mind-controlling” audiences and that the characters were still trapped.Despite the online backlash and hoax, 'Stranger Things' delivered the platform its biggest New Year’s Day viewership ever, with Season 5 racking in an estimated 31.5 million views in the week of December 29 alone. The season has now amassed 105.7 million views overall, placing it ninth on the list of the most-watched English-language series of all time.