Soon every part onStranger Thingswill have its own devotee theory . As vertiginous viewers of Netflix ’s breakout summertime strike stay on to cull aside the show ’s manyunanswered questions– and aim somesurprisingParks and Recreationconnectionsalong the path – it has become operose to separate reasonable surmise from speculation that makes about as much sense as shotgunning a beer can with a tongue . But one theory involving Eleven , the show ’s resident telekinetic badass , has emerged as a possible key fruit to unlock the whole series .
With her psychical powers , strong fashion sense , and E.T.-like love of Eggos , Eleven is the show ’s most beloved character ( sorry , Barb ) , adequate to of invigorate intricate buff art onbrick wallsandhuman fleshin adequate measure . So , it only makes sense that Eleven would get her own mind - blowing hypothesis . The theory asks a simple question : what if Eleven is actually the monster ?
Crazy , correct ? Or is it ? Let ’s take a closer look at the hypothesis and see if it would arrest up to Chief Jim Hopper ’s dogged investigatory skills – of if it would break into a million art object like Jonathan ’s nerveless television camera after it gets smashed by the bullies .
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The “proof” from the show
As the above telecasting fromUproxxhelpfully explains , this theory is all about wave-particle duality . When Eleven first encounters the line of descent - love freak , she ’s in a sensory deprivation tank – not in the alternate proportion known as the Upside Down . When we see Eleven in the blank idle words blank space , which resembles the place Scarlett Johansson took her victim to inUnder the Skin , we are watching her create the teras in her mind , possibly as a side event of her telekinetic powers and the drug - testing inflict on her by Matthew Modine ’s distorted father figure . The armored combat vehicle scene are an of import part of the teaser .
Then there ’s the climatic face-off between Eleven and the monster , which drive plaza in the show ’s final sequence . As many fans have noticed , she even says , " I am the teras , " ring an estimation that Lucas raises at various points in the show . Of course , it ’s potential that she ’s speak metaphorically – like many science - fiction and phantasy bomber , Eleven is inextricably linked to her nemesis – but for the purposes of this mad possibility , let ’s take her input literally . What if the monster is the Upside Down version of Eleven ?
This theory could explain why she disappears into a swarm of ash following the gravid throw - down : in order for the demon to pass on , she must also sacrifice herself . As buff on Reddit havepointed out , the theory would also help excuse why Eleven is able-bodied to recognize Will and Barb in photos without ever having met them . If true , her powers connect her to the monster because they are , in fact , one and the same . And when Chief Hopper leave a care package in the wood at the remainder of the stopping point , he ’s not just provide comforter to our favoriteMad Max : Fury Roadcosplayer ; if the hypothesis is honest , he ’s sustaining the enemy .
TheX-MenandDungeons and Dragonsfactor
In addition to its killer ' LXXX soundtrack , Stranger Thingsis packed with references and allusions tobeloved skill - fiction stories , from John Carpenter picture to Stephen King novels . ( The show ’s detractors would say a littletoopacked . ) For the " Eleven is the fiend " possibility , the most important allusion occurs ahead of time in the first sequence , when Will and Dustin get in a wheel wash in which the achiever gets a comedian . But it ’s not just any comedian : Will expect forX - Men134 .
For superhero junkies , that figure set a fire in their brains – and it ’s safe to take over the Duffer Brothers wanted strip - savvy viewers to make that connection . As writer Alex Abad Santos atVoxcarefully explains , that specific take , which was bring out in 1980 , marks the beginning of the comic ’s iconic Dark Phoenix saga . The story line centers on the psychical Jean Grey and her struggle with the Phoenix , an evil forcefulness that drains Grey of her powers and threaten to destruct the universe . " The Phoenix employ Jean Grey as a innkeeper , whileStranger Things ’ fiend is more autonomous , " write Santos . " It does n’t seem to need Eleven to inhabit or become flat . "
The " Eleven is the devil " theory rebut that with its conclusion that the monster and Eleven need each other . As theUproxxvideo suggest , perhaps the relationship between Eleven and the goliath is more similar to the Demogorgon fromDungeons and Dragons , which the boy fight during a campaign in the show ’s first sequence . That creature , straight out ofThe Monster Manual , has two mind , each of which have trenchant personalities , much like the immensely dissimilar personality of the monster and Eleven . The two caput of the Demogorgon are in constant conflict but also need each other to survive .
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So, does this theory check out?
Like most sports fan theories , believing that Eleven is the monster onStranger Thingsrequires render many symbolic , thematic , and metaphoric elements of the story as literally as possible . It takes a show filled with whodunit and ambiguities , and demands all those look conform to a " twist " that ’s never fully explained in the text itself . Obviously , Eleven and the monster are linked – even the most basic recitation of the show would acknowledge that – but are they really the same ?
That will be the most interesting part of this theory going forward , whenever Netflix inevitablyannounces a 2nd season . Judging from what we see in the show , Eleven genuinely cares for Mike and his friends . Only in episode five , when she directs the grasp away from the research lab , does she deliberately essay to sabotage their efforts to find their friend and uncover the secret of the Upside Down . If she ’s secretly a baddie , she ’s doing a bad caper .
Also , it ’s clear from the final sequence that this is n’t a Tyler Durden - fashion situation . As viewers , we see them share the frame together , and other characters watch them do battle as well . alternatively , a lax rendering of this theory could evoke that Eleven is the monster yet somehow exists independently , as if the goliath were the flip - side translation of Eleven .
And while a stoner ’s post - bong - dispatch observation in support of this corollary might go , " Dude , the phone number 11 reads the same right side up and upside down – whoa ! " one thing link up Eleven and the lusus naturae is a certainty : the monster and Eleven in all likelihood both enjoy Eggos . Because , seriously , what sort of fiend does n’t love a good Eggo ?
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