As Stranger Things Season 5 inches closer to its long-awaited finale, Reddit is already in full meltdown mode. With Chapter Eight set to bring the curtain down on the Duffer Brothers' iconic sci-fi series, fans are flooding discussion threads with wild theories and expectations.The Stranger Things Season 5 conclusion is not just another season finale but the end of a story that began in Hawkins with a missing boy, flickering lights and a door to the Upside Down that changed television forever.Viewers are expecting an epic conclusion that ties together years of mythology, unanswered questions and emotional character arcs. From Vecna’s ultimate fate to Eleven’s final stand and the survival of fan favourites, Redditors are dissecting every detail. Many believe Chapter Eight will deliver a spectacle that rivals the biggest cinematic blockbusters, while others are bracing themselves for devastating losses that will redefine the show’s legacy.Here are some fan expectations before the Stranger Things Season 5 finale.Exploring fan expectations for the Stranger Things Season 5 finale View this post on Instagram Instagram PostWhile fans have largely mixed opinions about the recently released Volume 2 of Stranger Things Season 5, the anticipation for the finale is still strong. Reddit is buzzing with expectations and theories ahead of the finale.Fans are worried for their favorite characters' fates in the final entry, considering how the Duffer Brothers have refrained from killing any of the main characters in the previously released volumes. However, the stakes for the characters are high in the final season and fans are bracing themselves for one or more brutal deaths, especially Eleven, which was strongly hinted at in Volume 2.After Eleven and the gang prepared to fight off Vecna for one final time, Kali advised her sister to stay behind in the Upside Down, essentially sacrificing herself for the greater good of her friends and Hawkins. Fans are fearing Stranger Things Season 5 will conclude with Eleven's death, as one Reddit user wrote:''I think the 3 episodes today basically foreshadowed Eleven is gonna die. And tbh I think shes gonna be the only death. Don't wanna jinx it but I doubt they'll have more than one major death in the final episode.''Another user supports this theory, suggesting Eleven will sacrifice herself to put an end to Dr. Kay's notorious plan to revive Brenner's programme and create more children (like her and Henry) with her blood:''Eleven is DEFINITELY ending her life to save her friends. She’s not about to let more mutant babies to be made.''Amid this popular Stranger Things Season 5 theory, which suggests Eleven will die in the finale, one Reddit user believes Volume 2 set up Kali as the ultimate villain/mastermind of the show:''Why am I the only one thinking Kali’s bad and is being tee’d up as the end villain…? I thought that was obvious no?''While many fans want a satisfactory conclusion to some long-standing mysteries in the Duffer Brothers' universe, some Reddit users are expecting heartfelt character moments and resolutions in the Stranger Things Season 5 finale. One user shared their expectation as:''I hope they don’t skimp out on the character moments. It really is the characters and the relationships that make this show special. I need to see all characters who have known each other throughout the show resolve their interpersonal storylines and the creators to end the story in a way where we’re happy with where they end up, no matter their fate. No loose endings or continuations, nada.''''I'm excited to see how it wraps up. also the epilogue. i’m so excited to see the characters moved on. i’m ready, they’re ready, the actors are ready. let’s get it done.'' another user chimed inRelease timings for the Stranger Things Season 5 finale View this post on Instagram Instagram PostAfter years of build-up and gradual release over three volumes, the final season of the Duffer Brothers' sci-fi saga will conclude with the Stranger Things Season 5 finale titled The Rightside Up, which is scheduled to be released on New Year's Eve, December 31 at 5 p.m. PT/8 p.m. ET. The previous two volumes rolled out on November 26 and Christmas, creating hype for the final entry.If you are also one of the eager fans who want to stream the Stranger Things Season 5 finale as soon as it drops on Netflix, here are the release timings for the upcoming episodes, as per major time zones:United Kingdom (GMT) - January 1, 2027, at 1:00 a.m.South Korea (KST) - January 1, 2027, at 10 a.m.Australia (AEDT) - January 1, 2027, at 12:00 p.m.South Africa (SAST) - January 1, 2027, at 3 a.m.Spain (CET) - January 1, 2027 at 2 a.m.Thailand (ICT) - January 1, 2027, at 8 a.m.Brazil (BRT) - December 31 at 10 p.m.Japan (JST) - January 1, 2027, 10 a.m.India (IST) -January 1, 2027, at 6:30 a.m.The runtime for The Rightside Up is 2 hours and 8 minutes, making it one of the biggest episodes in the series so far. In fact, the final entry is no shorter than a feature-length film, suggesting the grand scale and epic conclusion to Stranger Things.Tune into the Stranger Things Season 5 finale on Netflix on December 31.For the latest scoops on your favorite TV shows and movies, follow SoapCentral.