Stranger Things Finale Shocks Fans With Major Revelations

On December 25, 2025, Netflix released Volume 2 of Stranger Things season 5, dropping episodes 5, 6, and 7 just in time for the holidays. But instead of just giving fans a festive binge, the series delivered some of the most emotionally charged and pivotal moments in its entire run. As viewers across the globe tuned in, two scenes in particular sent shockwaves through the fandom: the long-awaited coming out of Will Byers and the heartbreaking breakup between Nancy Wheeler and Jonathan Byers.

Let’s start with the latter. For years, the romance between Nancy and Jonathan has been a steady undercurrent in Stranger Things. Their relationship, forged in the fires of shared trauma and loss, seemed to weather every storm Hawkins could throw at them. But in Volume 2, everything changed. As reported by Parade, the couple found themselves trapped in a room with no exit, bizarre and terrifying goo seeping in all around them. In what felt like a last confession, Jonathan revealed a secret that had long weighed on him—he’d never actually applied to Emerson, the college he and Nancy had planned to attend together. Nancy, for her part, admitted she didn’t even like The Clash.

But it was Jonathan’s next move that truly stunned viewers. He produced an engagement ring and, in a twist that had fans scrambling to decipher his intentions, asked Nancy, “Will you not marry me?” The moment was intimate, raw, and ambiguous—at least until the Duffer Brothers, creators of the show, set the record straight. In an interview with People magazine, Matt Duffer explained, “That’s a breakup. They are broken up.” For those clinging to hope that the pair might simply be postponing major life decisions, the message was clear: Nancy and Jonathan’s journey as a couple had reached its end.

The Duffer Brothers further clarified that Nancy and Jonathan’s relationship was, at its core, built on a foundation of trauma. While the love between them was genuine, it was also inextricably tied to the pain and chaos they’d endured together. As Matt Duffer noted, the intent was to give Nancy a more independent path—a narrative choice that would allow her to stand on her own rather than concluding her story alongside either Jonathan or Steve. With only one episode left in the series, fans are left to wonder what the future holds for Nancy—assuming, of course, she survives the final showdown.

Meanwhile, another seismic moment unfolded in episode 7, one that had been years in the making. Since the show’s earliest days, sharp-eyed viewers had picked up on subtle hints about Will Byers’ sexuality. There were offhand comments from his mother Joyce, who mentioned that Will’s father had called him queer, and moments of tension with his friend Mike, who once took issue with Will not liking girls. But it wasn’t until this penultimate episode that Will finally found the courage to share his truth with his friends and family.

In a scene that quickly became one of the series’ most talked-about, Will confessed, “I don’t like girls,” and admitted he was “different” from those around him. Notably, he never used the word “gay”—a choice that was far from accidental. Speaking with Variety, showrunners Ross and Matt Duffer explained their decision. “For us, it was just trying to make sure that the scene felt unique to both Will and unique for a coming out scene,” Ross Duffer said. The antagonist Vecna, who preys on his victims’ deepest fears, served as the catalyst for Will’s confession. The fear, as Ross elaborated, wasn’t about ridicule or cruelty, but about the possibility that his loved ones would slowly withdraw from him if he shared his secret.

The Duffers wanted to emphasize the similarities between Will and his friends, highlighting that, apart from his sexuality, there was little difference between them. “At the end of the day, there is no difference. They’re the same people they always were. There’s just one thing that’s different about him. That’s what he’s scared of sharing with them,” Matt Duffer added. The presence of Will’s friends and family in the scene was crucial to its emotional impact, making his confession not just a personal milestone but a communal moment of acceptance and support.

Noah Schnapp, who has portrayed Will Byers since the show’s 2016 debut, brought his own experience to the role. As reported by Variety, Schnapp himself publicly came out in January 2023, lending an extra layer of authenticity to the performance. “I was worried that I might need to [offer notes], but honestly, it was perfect. I really had no notes about it,” Schnapp said of the scene. The filming process was grueling, spanning a 12-hour day and a return a week later for another 12-hour reshoot. But for Schnapp, the marathon shoot allowed him to explore a range of emotions and interpretations, ultimately delivering a performance that left him in tears when he first read the script.

Schnapp prepared for the moment by rehearsing for months, following advice from co-star Maya Hawke (Robin Buckley). “She said, ‘It’s not about how well you know it, it’s how long you’ve known it for, so just prep for months before,’” Schnapp recounted. The cast’s support was unwavering, with everyone present for the demanding shoot, creating a space where Schnapp could fully inhabit Will’s vulnerability.

The decision not to have Will use the word “gay” was deeply considered. Schnapp himself reflected on this in the Variety interview, noting, “When I addressed my sexuality in a 2023 TikTok clip, I didn’t say the word ‘gay.’ It’s hard, and it feels scary to say it.” Set in 1980s Indiana, the show’s context made the stakes even higher. “When Will is first coming to terms with it in front of his friends, he’s probably scared to use that word, but there’s nothing wrong with it. I think he just felt more comfortable phrasing it that way,” Schnapp added.

As the series approaches its finale, with one last episode slated to drop on New Year’s Eve, Stranger Things stands as a testament to the power of storytelling that is both nostalgic and forward-thinking. The show’s creators have confirmed that the ending has long been mapped out, and while there are rumors of a spin-off, the story of Hawkins as we know it is drawing to a close. For fans who have grown up alongside these characters, the latest episodes offer both closure and new beginnings—reminders that even in the strangest of times, the journey toward understanding and acceptance is worth every step.