Millie Bobby Brown Has The Saddest Reaction When Asked About Eleven’s Ending on ‘Stranger Things’
Stranger Things has officially wrapped up after nine years, leaving fans with a mix of closure and heartbreak. The series finale took viewers back to the Upside Down for one final showdown, where Eleven and her friends faced Vecna in a desperate fight to save Hawkins.
While the team succeeds, the ending isn’t the happy reunion fans might have hoped for. Eleven makes a choice that separates her from her friends. The Upside Down is destroyed, but she does not return to join the others, leaving her fate uncertain.
The story then moves to the lives of the remaining characters. Hawkins begins to rebuild, explaining the strange events as an earthquake.
The kids move forward with graduation, some leaving town for college or work, while others remain committed to keeping their friendships alive. Hopper and Joyce share a quiet, hard-earned moment together. The finale ends at the group’s Dungeons & Dragons table, where Eleven is remembered. Mike imagines her finding peace somewhere far away, leaving fans to interpret what really happened.
Millie Bobby Brown's reaction when asked if she was happy with Eleven's ending in 'Stranger Things'
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The Duffer Brothers, creators of the series, explained why Eleven’s ending was left ambiguous. Matt Duffer said they wanted to show what life could look like for her after all she had been through. “There are two roads that Eleven could take. There’s this darker, more pessimistic one or the optimistic, hopeful one. Mike is the optimist of the group and has chosen to believe in that story,” he said.
Ross Duffer added that keeping Eleven with the group was never part of the plan. “She represents magic in a lot of ways and the magic of childhood,” he explained. The decision to have her leave allows the other characters to grow up and move on naturally. Matt Duffer noted that imagining Eleven alive elsewhere keeps her spirit present without holding the characters back. “This is really the best way to keep her alive,” he said, emphasizing that the ending reflects learning to live with loss rather than ignoring it.
For Millie Bobby Brown, saying goodbye to Eleven has been emotional. In interviews following the finale, she admitted that the ending was difficult to process. Fans watching her reactions could see how much the character meant to her, showing the deep connection she built with Eleven over nearly a decade.
The finale’s bittersweet ending underscores one of Stranger Things’ central themes: growing up often means accepting loss and moving forward, even without all the answers.
Leaving Eleven’s fate open-ended was a bold choice. It gives fans room to imagine her future while staying true to the story’s heart. What do you think about Eleven’s ending? Share your thoughts in the comments.