2 min read  Intro I f you’ve spent even five minutes scrolling through Stranger Things Reddit threads, TikTok explainers, or YouTube breakdowns, chances are you’ve stumbled across the “Conformity Gate” fan theory . According to this idea, the gates in Hawkins — especially those connected to Hawkins Lab — were never just about monsters and alternate dimensions. Instead, they supposedly symbolized government-led conformity experiments , with Vecna as a weapon born from mind-control ideology. It’s a clever theory. It sounds intellectual. And for a while, it felt plausible . But as Season 5 edges closer and the creators have clarified key lore points, it’s becoming clear: the Conformity Gate theory doesn’t actually hold up . Let’s break down what fans believed ... and why it isn’t real. What the Conformity Gate Theory Claimed At its core, the Conformity Gate theory argued that: Hawkins Lab wasn’t just experimenting with psychic children — it was testing social conformity and ...