Stranger Things Down Under: The Sydney Studio Behind ‘Tales From ’85’ & The Truth About Episode 9

If you’re anything like us, you spent your New Year’s recovery period bingeing the colossal final chapter of Stranger Things. The battle for Hawkins is officially over, Vecna has been dealt with (or has he?), and the Duffer Brothers have finally closed the book on the saga that defined a decade of streaming.

But for many Aussie fans, the credits rolling on "The Rightside Up" didn’t bring closure—it brought questions. From the viral "Conformity Gate" conspiracy theories flooding TikTok to the divisive Rotten Tomatoes score, the aftermath of Season 5 has been just as chaotic as the Upside Down itself.

However, the end of the main series is actually just the beginning for the franchise's relationship with Australia. While the cameras have stopped rolling in Georgia, the future of Stranger Things is currently being crafted right here in Sydney. Here is everything you need to know about the secret episode rumors, the backlash, and the massive Aussie connection to the upcoming animated spinoff, Tales From ’85.

The 'Conformity Gate' Theory: Is There a Secret Episode 9?

If you’ve been scrolling through social media since the finale dropped, you’ve likely stumbled upon the rabbit hole that is "Conformity Gate." This viral theory suggests that the "happy ending" we witnessed in the Season 5 finale was actually a terrifying illusion constructed by Vecna to keep our heroes placated while he completes his takeover.

The Evidence

Fans have been dissecting the finale frame-by-frame, pointing out unsettling visual inconsistencies. The most popular piece of "evidence" is the graduation scene, where background characters are sitting with their hands clasped in a rigid, unnatural manner—a pose distinctly associated with Henry Creel/Vecna throughout the series.

Other eagle-eyed viewers noticed the Dungeons & Dragons binders on the shelf in the epilogue appear to spell out "X A LIE" (though others argue it spells "XAILE" or is simply a continuity error). Coupled with glitching props and the theory that time seems to have frozen for certain characters, a massive chunk of the fandom is convinced that a secret Episode 9 is coming to reveal the real, darker ending.

The Verdict

Despite the feverish speculation and a petition with hundreds of thousands of signatures, Netflix has not confirmed a secret ninth episode. The rumors pinned hopes on a January 7 release date due to a cryptic "Your Future is on its way" teaser, but this was revealed to be a marketing event for Netflix's 2026 slate. However, content is still coming: the behind-the-scenes documentary One Last Adventure: The Making of Stranger Things 5 drops on January 12, which may finally put these theories to rest.

Why the Finale Divided Fans (Rotten Tomatoes Analysis)

While the viewership numbers in Australia and globally were record-breaking, the critical reception paints a different picture. Stranger Things Season 5 currently holds the lowest Audience Score in the show’s history on Rotten Tomatoes, sitting near 56%.

Why the sudden drop for such a beloved show? The criticism seems to stem from a few key areas:

The "Safe" Ending: After years of teasing high stakes, many fans felt the survival of the entire core main cast felt too safe, lacking the emotional "gut punch" of previous seasons.
Pacing Issues: With episodes clocking in at feature-film lengths, some viewers felt the narrative in Volume 2 dragged, prioritising spectacle over the tight storytelling of earlier seasons.
Review Bombing: Unfortunately, the season also faced targeted review bombing related to Will Byers' coming-out storyline in Episode 7, which skewed the data significantly.

'Tales From ’85': The Sydney Studio Bringing Hawkins Back

If you’re mourning the end of the show, dry your eyes—because the keys to the kingdom have been handed to Australia. The next major installment in the franchise, Stranger Things: Tales From ’85, is an animated series set to release in 2026, and it is being produced by Flying Bark Productions in Sydney.

The Aussie Connection

This is a massive win for the local industry. Flying Bark Productions, located in Alexandria, Sydney, has built a world-class reputation with projects like Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Marvel’s What If…?. Netflix specifically sought out the studio to bring this vision to life. This puts Australian animators and creatives at the very center of Netflix's biggest intellectual property.

What We Know About the Show

The Plot: Set in the winter of 1985 (bridging the gap between Season 2 and Season 3), the series follows the original Hawkins crew—Eleven, Mike, Will, Lucas, Dustin, and Max—as they investigate a "paranormal mystery" terrorising the town.
The Vibe: The Duffer Brothers have described it as having the aesthetic of a "Saturday Morning Cartoon," mixing the nostalgia of 80s animation with the darker lore of the Upside Down.
The Cast: While the original actors aren't voicing their younger selves, a talented new voice cast has been assembled, including Brooklyn Davey Norstedt as Eleven and Luca Diaz as Mike.

The Live-Action Spinoff: Unlocking the Mystery of the Black Rock

For those who prefer live-action, the Duffer Brothers have confirmed a second spinoff is in development, specifically designed to answer the lingering questions left by the Season 5 finale—most notably, the origin of the Black Rock found in the cave flashback.

In the finale, we saw young Henry Creel discover a briefcase containing a glowing black rock that gave him his connection to the Mind Flayer. The new live-action series will revolve around this object and the mythology surrounding it.

Fresh Blood: The Duffers have confirmed this will be a "clean slate" with a completely new cast, a new town, and a new mythology. It is not a direct sequel featuring the Hawkins kids.
The First Shadow Connection: Deep-dive lore hunters will note this connects to the stage play Stranger Things: The First Shadow, which implies the rock is linked to 1943 military experiments involving the USS Eldridge.

Aussie Trivia: Dacre Montgomery’s Remote Role

Speaking of Australian connections, it’s worth remembering one of the most unique production stories involving Perth-born actor Dacre Montgomery (Billy Hargrove).

While Billy met his end in Season 3, his cameo in Season 4 was a technical marvel born of necessity. Due to strict COVID-19 travel restrictions in Australia at the time, Montgomery could not fly to the US. Instead, director Shawn Levy directed him via Zoom while Montgomery performed on a soundstage right here in Australia. He was then digitally inserted into the "Dear Billy" scene with Sadie Sink, proving that Aussie talent can steal the show even from the other side of the planet.

When Can Australians Watch the Next Chapter?

If you are ready for more, mark your calendars:

January 12, 2026: One Last Adventure: The Making of Stranger Things 5 documentary streams on Netflix (likely late afternoon AEDT).
2026 (TBA): Stranger Things: Tales From ’85 (Animated Series by Flying Bark Productions).
TBA (Likely 2027+): Untitled Live-Action Spinoff.

Conclusion

While the book has closed on the 1980s saga of Eleven and her friends, the Stranger Things universe is far from dead. With Sydney animators hard at work on the next chapter and a live-action mystery deep in development, there is plenty to look forward to.

So, are you excited to see a Sydney studio take the reins of the Upside Down, or are you still holding out hope that "Conformity Gate" is real? Let us know in the comments below!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Is there a secret episode 9 of Stranger Things Season 5? A: No. Despite viral "Conformity Gate" theories on TikTok suggesting the finale was an illusion, Netflix and the creators have treated Episode 8 as the definitive end. However, a "Making Of" documentary titled One Last Adventure is released on Jan 12.

Q: When is the Stranger Things animated series coming out in Australia? A: Stranger Things: Tales From ’85 is scheduled for release in 2026. It is currently being animated by Flying Bark Productions in Sydney.

Q: Will the original cast return for the Stranger Things spinoffs? A: For the animated Tales From ’85, the characters return but are voiced by a new cast (e.g., Brooklyn Davey Norstedt as Eleven). The live-action spinoff will feature an entirely new cast, new town, and new story.

Q: Why did the Stranger Things Season 5 Rotten Tomatoes score drop? A: The audience score dropped significantly (to around 56%) due to a mix of fans disappointed by the "safe" ending, pacing issues in the feature-length episodes, and review bombing related to Will Byers' coming-out storyline.

References

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