Just when fans thought Stranger Things had closed every loop, Season 5 Volume 1 dropped one of its biggest shocks; the long-absent Kali shows up in a way nobody expected. Kali Prasad, aka Eight, makes her first on-screen return since Season 2’s The Lost Sister when Eleven and Hopper break into a secret military facility in the Upside Down and find her imprisoned and connected to machines.

The real mystery, however, does not lie in the where and whys of Kali but whether she is actually on Eleven's side? 

In Stranger Things Season 5 Volume 2, Kali’s larger presence has created one of the most heated fan debates of the final season. And it is not just about whether she is a help or a hindrance. Many viewers see her as an anti-hero with a deeply pessimistic worldview, especially because she was among the first children being tortured and experimented on in the Hawkins Lab Upside Down facility.

One popular Reddit sentiment warns, “I’m concerned that Kali will cross El last minute or try to save herself,” while another bluntly stated, “I do not trust her at all. I’m halfway through [chapter] 7 and I don’t like her one bit.” 

Other fan theories go even further. For example, some speculate Kali’s unique illusion-based powers could be key to defeating Vecna, suggesting she may ultimately help the Hawkins crew rather than betray them. Meanwhile, other Reddit discussions argue the hatred and distrust toward Kali are unfair, noting her trauma and psychological wounds make her motivations complex rather than simply “evil.” 

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That Kali's moral compass is a point of major contention is something that even the Duffer Brothers are aware of as they have themselves reflected on the theories. 

The Duffer Brothers have been deliberately vague about whether Kali is good, bad, or somewhere in between. In an interview with SFX magazine, rather than labeling her a villain, Matt Duffer emphasized that her role is integral to Eleven’s arc and the broader narrative.

"Kali shifts things a lot for Eleven, and I think it'll be surprising for people to see how she ultimately fits into the story. We're excited about that, because it immediately changes the tone. And obviously, the way things ended with Hopper leaves a lot of tension between them."

By the end of a blockbuster Volume 2, the central plot is pushing toward the final battle against Vecna and a collapsing Upside Down. Eleven, Will, and Hopper devise strategies that hinge on stopping the dimensional collapse, while Will discovers he can channel Vecna’s power in a unique way. Kali, having been held captive and experimented on by Dr. Kay, pushes Eleven toward a grim plan - both she and Eleven must sacrifice themselves to end the cycle and destroy the Upside Down.

Whether Kali is a broken survivor seeking justice or a looming threat ready to rewrite Eleven’s fate, her return has become one of the most defining mysteries of Stranger Things’ final chapter.

Do you think Kali is secretly evil, or just tragically misunderstood? Share your thoughts below.