Stranger Things Is Not Over! The Secret 012 Subject Revealed in New Spin-off!
The Expansion of Hawkins: 5 Mind-Bending Fan Theories for the Stranger Things Spin-offs
The gate to the Upside Down might have closed in Hawkins, but the “Stranger Things Universe” is just beginning to breathe. With an animated prequel and a new live-action series on the horizon, the internet is buzzing with speculation. Here are five of the most compelling fan theories regarding the upcoming spin-offs.
1. The “Subject 012” Theory: Nikki Baxter’s Secret Past
The upcoming animated series, Tales From ’85, introduces a new protagonist named Nikki Baxter. The most popular theory suggests Nikki isn’t just a random teenager; she is likely a survivor from the Hawkins Lab. Fans believe she could be Subject 012, possessing powers that were dormant or different from Eleven’s, explaining why she was hidden during the events of the original series.
2. The “Grief Eater” Theory: Psychological Horror in the New Town
The new live-action spin-off reportedly takes place in a town where the population is suffering from mass depression and strange dreams. Unlike the Demogorgons of Hawkins, fans theorize that this new threat is a Psychological Entity. This monster might feed on the town’s collective trauma and grief, making it an invisible, more terrifying enemy that can’t be fought with physical weapons.
3. The “Global Leak” Theory: The Rifts are Spreading
While Hawkins was the “Ground Zero,” the finale of Season 5 hinted that the Upside Down might not be entirely gone. A major theory posits that the “cracks” have now spread across the United States, appearing in small towns with high government activity. This allows the franchise to move away from Hawkins while keeping the core mythology of the Upside Down alive.
4. The “Mentor” Theory: The Return of Dustin and Eleven
Even though the new series will feature a fresh cast, fans are convinced that the “OG” characters will appear as mentors. The theory suggests that Dustin or Eleven might show up in the finale of the first season to guide the new group of kids. They would act as the “Van Helsing” figures of the universe, having the expertise to close the rifts that the new characters don’t understand yet.
5. The “Boroughs” Crossover: A Shared Universe?
Duffer Brothers’ other project, The Boroughs, focuses on a retirement community fighting a supernatural threat. A daring theory suggests that The Boroughs is actually a secret Stranger Things spin-off. Fans believe the “supernatural threat” in that show is a refined version of the Upside Down, and we might see a crossover where the elderly heroes of The Boroughs are revealed to be former government scientists who once worked on the original project.
