The fate of Eleven (portrayed by Millie Bobby Brown) at the close of Stranger Things 5 has become the subject of intense debate and speculation among fans. The final episode, titled "Chapter Eight: The Rightside Up," seemingly wrapped up the series with a definitive conclusion to the Hawkins saga, yet left Eleven's destiny shrouded in ambiguity.

In the climactic battle against Vecna and the Mind Flayer, Eleven's powers reach unprecedented levels, culminating in a final surge that collapses the Upside Down from within. During this surge, she appears to disintegrate within the gate, leaving no body to recover, which is interpreted by some as her death.

However, the narrative takes a twist with an 18-month time jump. In the final scene, Mike narrates a Dungeons & Dragons campaign, where he recounts Eleven still being alive and living peacefully far away. He explains that before Kali (Eight) died, she and Eleven devised a plan to make everyone believe she was dead, including the military. According to Mike's story, Kali casts an invisibility spell, making the Eleven they saw die in the Upside Down merely an illusion. Mike believes Eleven escaped and is now living in "a land somewhere far away," finally finding "peace and happiness" in a small village where nobody recognizes her. While Mike admits he doesn't know if the story is real, the group chooses to believe it.

The Duffer Brothers, creators of Stranger Things, have intentionally left Eleven's fate open to interpretation. Speaking with Tudum, they stated that they want viewers "to decide what they think happens to Eleven". Ross Duffer added that for the people of Hawkins, "she lives on in their hearts, whether that's real or not". They emphasized that Eleven's ending was never meant to align with the rest of the Hawkins kids, stating, "There was never a version of the story where Eleven was hanging out with the gang at the end".

This ambiguous ending has sparked numerous theories and interpretations. Some fans believe that Eleven's sacrifice is the only fitting end to her character arc, arguing that her death would be a more meaningful conclusion. Others suggest that Eleven is indeed alive, possibly in hiding under a new identity, free from the constant threat of those who seek to exploit her powers.

Adding to the ambiguity, Hopper encourages Mike to accept Eleven's decision and move forward, even if it means accepting her possible death. The final scene shows the core group of friends in the basement, a symbolic goodbye to their childhood, suggesting a passing of the torch to the next generation.

Ultimately, the question of whether Eleven died at the end of Stranger Things 5 remains unanswered. The Duffer Brothers have crafted an ending that encourages viewers to contemplate the meaning of sacrifice, the power of belief, and the enduring bonds of friendship. Whether Eleven lives on in a physical sense or only in the hearts and memories of those who love her is left for the audience to decide.