Stranger Things star reveals ‘valid’ Eleven theory

Published 2 hours ago
Source: metro.co.uk
STRANGER THINGS: SEASON 5. Millie Bobby Brown as Eleven in Stranger Things: Season 5. Cr. COURTESY OF NETFLIX ?? 2025
Stranger Things season 5, volume 2, dropped on Boxing Day, which meant the majority of us ditched any plans we had for the sofa instead. While the new episodes hurled drama at us from all directions, there was one significant storyline that viewers couldn’t handle. (Picture: Netflix)
STRANGER THINGS: SEASON 5. Linnea Berthelsen as Kali in Stranger Things: Season 5. Cr. Courtesy of Netflix/Netflix ?? 2025
Yep, we’re talking about Kali’s return. For those who need a recap, Kali — or 008 — was first introduced in season two as one of many children who, like Eleven (played by Millie Bobby Brown), were test subjects experimented upon at Hawkins Lab, and held captive by Dr Brenner. When the pair were reunited all those years ago, they reconnected and formed a sibling-like bond, referring to themselves as sisters. (Picture: Netflix)
STRANGER THINGS: SEASON 5. (L to R) Linnea Berthelsen as Kali, Millie Bobby Brown as Eleven, and David Harbour as Jim Hopper in Stranger Things: Season 5. Cr. Courtesy of Netflix/Netflix ?? 2025
During the new episodes, Kali, whose power enables her to cause visions and hallucinations in others, convinces Eleven that the only way they can destroy the Upside Down is if they sacrifice themselves. Of course, Hopper (who adopted El as his daughter) is completely against this and curses Kali for planting the idea in Eleven’s mind. (Picture: Netflix)
While many have been umming and ahhing about Kali’s true intentions (is she genuine, or is her motive more sinister?), the actor who plays her, Linnea Berthelsen, is championing the former. Speaking to Radio Times, Berthelsen insists that Kali’s plan is ‘valid,’ and that it ‘creates a really interesting dynamic within Eleven’, while also asking ‘existential questions about what is the right thing to do’. (Picture: Getty Images)
STRANGER THINGS: SEASON 5. (L to R) David Harbour as Jim Hopper and Millie Bobby Brown as Eleven in Stranger Things: Season 5. Cr. COURTESY OF NETFLIX ?? 2025
Berthelsen explains: ‘And what’s really brilliant for Kali for this season is that, I think it’s very valid what she’s trying to say. Like, if we do this, not only is it going to benefit your friends, but it’s actually going to benefit the rest of the world. There is a point to be made.’ (Picture: Netflix)
STRANGER THINGS: SEASON 5. (L to R) David Harbour as Jim Hopper and Millie Bobby Brown as Eleven in Stranger Things: Season 5. Cr. COURTESY OF NETFLIX ?? 2025
The actor calls the supernatural predicament a ‘very human question.’ She asks: ‘What do you do in those moments? What are you willing to sacrifice?’ Berthelsen adds that, for Eleven, it’s an ‘internal battle’. ‘Can you leave everything that you’ve built, the relationships, the people in your life, to go and do what may be right?’ (Picture: Netflix)

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STRANGER THINGS: SEASON 5. (L to R) David Harbour as Jim Hopper, Millie Bobby Brown as Eleven, and Alex Breaux as Lt. Robert Akers in Stranger Things: Season 5. Cr. COURTESY OF NETFLIX ?? 2025
On the subject of family, Berthelsen states that the only difference between Kali and Eleven is that El actually had a mother. OG fans will remember that she was left in a catatonic state after being subjected to electroshock therapy by Dr Brenner — a punishment for trying to rescue her young daughter from the lab. (Picture: Netflix)
Stranger Things: Season 5
In the years after, Eleven also formed familial-like bonds with Hopper, the Byers family, and, of course, Mike, with whom she eventually became involved romantically (albeit, in a teenage relationship). Berthelsen therefore explains: ‘There is a difference between Eleven’s relationship to family and just having a mother, because Kali never had a mother, and I feel like there’s part of her that’s still waiting for those parents to show up.’ The actor concludes: ‘I think for me, that was a huge part of what’s underneath, especially in episode five.’ (Picture: Netflix)
STRANGER THINGS: SEASON 5. Millie Bobby Brown as Eleven in STRANGER THINGS: SEASON 5. Cr. Courtesy of Netflix ????2025
She questions whether, as an orphan, she is still waiting for those parents to come and save her. ‘And I think that’s very specific to the character that makes her different from Eleven. That’s just my perspective.’ Stranger Things season 5, volumes one and two are now streaming on Netflix. The finale drops on New Year’s Eve in the US, and at 1am on New Year’s Day in the UK. (Picture: Netflix)

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