Stranger Things Theory Gives A Twist To Popular Time-Travel Belief In Season 5

Summary Time travel might be featured in Stranger Things season 5 but not in expected ways.
Linda Hamilton’s mystery role could tie into time travel theories, possibly as an adult Eleven.
The addition of time travel into Stranger Things fits the universe, with the show’s 80s influences supporting the theory.
There are several theories about what will happen in Stranger Things season 5, with some popular theories involving time travel, and one is giving a twist to these with the identity of one new addition to the cast. Stranger Things is coming to an end with its fifth season after four successful seasons full of twists and turns, but also with a bunch of mysteries. Although Stranger Things season 4 answered some big questions, particularly about the Upside Down, there are still many mysteries to be solved in the final season, and this has made way for various theories on how these can be addressed.
Given the heavy horror and sci-fi influence in Stranger Things, especially from movies and TV shows from the 1980s, many theories have emerged about the themes that could be featured in the final season of the series. One that has been theorized since the end of Stranger Things season 3 is time travel, more so as there’s still a lot to learn about the portals and gates to the Upside Down and the other dimension. Time travel is now believed to be used in Stranger Things season 5, and one theory gives an interesting twist to this belief.
Stranger Things Season 5 Theories Suggest Linda Hamilton Plays Future Eleven
Linda Hamilton’s Stranger Things character remains unknown.
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Time travel might be used in Stranger Things season 5, though not as many believed. It’s believed that season 5 could feature time travel through a time jump, while many other theories suggest that the characters will travel back in time to find a way to defeat Vecna or stop Henry Creel from becoming this creature. However, there’s another time travel theory that has become quite popular on social media that’s different from the rest as it’s based on Linda Hamilton’s character. During Netflix’s Tudum event in June 2024, Linda Hamilton was announced as part of the cast of Stranger Things season 5.
Hamilton’s role in Stranger Things , then, has been theorized to be connected to time travel.
Just like Stranger Things did in previous seasons with its biggest cast additions, details about Hamilton’s character weren’t revealed, making way for a lot of speculation. Hamilton is best known for her action roles, particularly in the Terminator franchise, where she played Sarah Connor. Hamilton’s role in Stranger Things, then, has been theorized to be connected to time travel, with the above-mentioned theory making it more specific by suggesting Hamilton will play the adult version of Eleven. Stranger Things season 4 also revealed that the Upside Down is stuck on November 6, 1983, which has raised questions about the other dimension potentially allowing the characters to travel through time.
The reasons for the characters visiting the future are a mystery, as it could be accidental or their search for a way to defeat Vecna could take them to seek answers in the future. Time travel could also take a different meaning in Stranger Things season 5 and, instead, show Hamilton’s adult Eleven in a vision or a flashforward towards the end of the series.
Related 8 Great Stranger Things Season 5 Theories, Ranked By How Likely They Are To Come True There are some great theories about Stranger Things season 5 out there, but some seem more likely to come true during the final episodes than others.
How Time Travel Fits Into The Universe of Stranger Things
Time travel wouldn’t be a weird addition to Stranger Things.
The Upside Down could have the energy and more to allow time travel, which has been theorized since season 3’s end.
As weird as time travel in Stranger Things might sound, it’s actually quite fitting. The mysteries of the Upside Down can make way for a variety of sci-fi and horror elements, more so as it has to explain why it’s frozen in time, who created this dimension, and more about Vecna’s power and influence over it. As mentioned above, the Upside Down could have the energy and more to allow time travel, which has been theorized since season 3’s end, when Hopper was believed to have been sent either to the past or future through the gate at the Russian lab.
In addition to this, time travel in Stranger Things makes sense thanks to all its 1980s horror and sci-fi references. A Back to the Future poster in season 3 further sparked theories of time travel making its way into Stranger Things in season 4 and beyond, and now Hamilton’s presence has given more force to these beliefs. Hamilton’s role in the Terminator franchise is what makes time travel in Stranger Things more believable, and it wouldn’t be the first time that Stranger Things links one of its actors to their previous works.
In season 4, Stranger Things counted on the presence of Robert Englund, whose appearance was as nightmarish and impactful as his iconic role as Freddy Krueger. It wouldn’t be surprising, then, if Hamilton’s character in season 5 was linked to time travel, and it would be quite exciting to see her as the older version of Eleven.
Stranger Things is available to watch on Netflix
Who Could Linda Hamilton Play In Stranger Things Season 5 If Not Future Eleven
Adult Eleven isn’t the only character Linda Hamilton could play.
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Hamilton’s character could be on the side of the villains.
When looking back at the actors from the 1980s that Stranger Things has cast since its first season, there has been a balance between good guys and villains. This makes it harder to deduce who Linda Hamilton could be playing in Stranger Things season 5, as she could be on either side of the story. Given the dark ending of Stranger Things season 4 and the fact that Colonel Sullivan is still alive, Hamilton’s character could be part of his team, thus being on the side of the villains.
On the other hand, Hamilton could be an ally, perhaps from Dr. Owens’ side, which could make her a key character in Eleven and company’s search for answers and a way to defeat Vecna. What’s true, however, is that no matter who Linda Hamilton plays in Stranger Things season 5, her character has as many chances of dying as any other character.
Related Stranger Things Season 5’s Steve Update Should Have You Breathing A Sigh Of Relief Joe Keery subtly teased Steve Harrington’s character arc in Stranger Things season 5, and fans of the character have reason to be relieved.