'Stranger Things' Backlash Continues as Audiences Abandon Series on Netflix Following Divisive Finale

1 week ago 17

Published Jan 24, 2026, 12:20 PM EST

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Just weeks after the long-anticipated release of Stranger Things Season 5, the Duffer Brothers’ grand finale is already losing its grip on Netflix’s Top 10. After debuting at No. 1 over the New Year’s Eve holiday, the series has now slid to No. 5, overtaken by several newer titles — most notably The Rip, which has surged straight to the top of the chart.

In the immediate aftermath of the finale, one question has completely taken over the internet: Was that really the end? Across TikTok, X, Reddit, and YouTube, fans have entered full post-finale spiral mode, dissecting every frame and line of dialogue. That collective confusion has given rise to a particularly wild theory dubbed “Conformity Gate,” which claims the episode Netflix released wasn’t the true ending at all. According to believers, the finale was a deliberate fake-out, with a secret ninth episode supposedly set to drop on January 7.

While Stranger Things fans continue debating what could have been, a different kind of story has clearly captured Netflix subscribers’ attention. That story is The Rip, the gritty crime thriller that has officially knocked Hawkins out of the top spot.

What Is 'The Rip' About?

The Rip centers on Damon and Affleck as two Miami police officers who, alongside their partners, uncover a massive cache of illicit cash. What begins as a standard takedown quickly turns volatile when the team chooses to pocket the money, setting off a chain reaction of paranoia and betrayal. As outside forces close in and suspicion grows from within, loyalties are tested — and it becomes clear that not everyone involved will walk away unscathed. The official synopsis reads:

“Upon discovering millions in cash in a derelict stash house, trust among a team of Miami cops begins to fray. As outside forces learn about the size of the seizure, everything is called into question — including who they can rely on.”

The cast also includes Steven Yeun as Detective Mike Ro, Teyana Taylor as Detective Numa Baptiste, Sasha Calle as Desiree “Desi” Molina, Catalina Sandino Moreno as Detective Lolo Salazar, Scott Adkins as FBI Agent Del Byrne, Kyle Chandler as DEA Agent Mateo “Matty” Nix, Néstor Carbonell as Major Thom Vallejo, Lina Esco as Captain Jackie Velez, Jose Pablo Cantillo as DEA Agent Dayo Reyes, Cliff Chamberlain as Officer Junger, Alex Hernandez as Officer Warwick, and Daisuke Tsujias FBI Agent Logan Casiano.