Monday Breaking News: Everyone Was Deceived. The White Powder Attack on Alex Was A Warning!
Days of Our Lives Spoilers

As Salem barrels toward the week of December 15, 2025, Days of Our Lives is unleashing one of its most chaotic, divisive, and darkly entertaining story arcs in years. The ominous “Nightmare Before Christmas” promo has ignited the fandom, splitting viewers straight down the middle and sending theories flying in every direction. Nothing feels safe. No one is telling the full truth. And by the time Christmas arrives, several lives, families, and legacies may be permanently changed.

Let’s start with the growing storm that has fans the angriest: the Kiriakis family war.

Xander vs. Everyone: The Kiriakis Estate Time Bomb

The debate raging through Salem mirrors the one exploding online — who truly deserves control of the Kiriakis mansion? On paper, the answer is messy. But emotionally? It’s crystal clear to many viewers: Xander has been robbed of his place.

For years, Xander Cook has been treated like the family’s disposable weapon. He’s been useful when dirty work needed doing and invisible when it came time for respect. Now, despite being Victor’s rightful heir, Xander finds himself sidelined in his own childhood home, tolerated rather than embraced. Watching him drift through those halls like an unwelcome guest is infuriating, especially when others behave as though the estate belongs to them by default.

Yes, Xander’s past is ugly. No one forgets his violent choices or his attempts on Phillip’s life. But in Salem’s moral universe, attempted murder is practically background noise. What truly stings is the hypocrisy. While Xander fights tooth and nail to be a better husband and father, others around him have lied, manipulated, and deceived him — all while claiming the moral high ground.

The betrayal surrounding Sarah’s secrets cuts especially deep. Xander isn’t perfect, but he’s trying, and that effort matters. When people who’ve deceived him lecture him about trust and decency, it only fuels the rage simmering beneath his carefully maintained calm.

The mansion itself feels haunted by Victor’s presence, and if anyone carries Victor’s ruthless spirit, it’s Xander. Watching Brady wander around the house like he owns it — robe and all — feels like a slap in the face. This isn’t just about property; it’s about dignity. And there’s a limit to how much humiliation a Kiriakis can endure.

All signs point to one explosive outcome: Xander snapping. When that happens, the gardener mask comes off, and the villain Salem fears returns. If Christmas Eve ends with Xander throwing everyone out onto the street, don’t expect viewers to shed many tears.

The DiMera Crypt: Too Many Bodies, Too Many Secrets

Meanwhile, the DiMera family drama has descended into absurd — and terrifying — territory. The DiMera crypt has effectively become Salem’s most overcrowded holding cell. One by one, people keep getting locked inside, until it feels like half the town has been stuffed underground.

As ridiculous as it sounds, it’s classic Days camp, and that’s part of the appeal. Still, beneath the dark humor lies genuine tension. Chad is unraveling, haunted by grief and the horrifying belief that he’s come face-to-face with Abigail’s remains. His emotional collapse is painful to watch.

In contrast, Theo has emerged as an unexpected anchor. Calm, rational, and grounded, Theo’s maturity stands out sharply against the chaos. He’s no longer the kid viewers remember — he’s a stabilizing force in a family spinning out of control.

Then there’s the unspoken practical nightmare. Being trapped in a crypt for days raises questions no one wants answered. The lack of basic necessities strips away any remaining glamour and reduces the DiMeras to frightened, powerless humans. The irony is delicious: Salem’s most powerful family spending Christmas cold, cramped, and terrified underground while someone else holds the keys.

This confinement doesn’t feel random. It feels intentional. Lock people together long enough, and the truth always comes out. Confessions will be made. Secrets will spill. By the time that crypt door opens, relationships may be beyond repair, and at least one revelation could change the DiMera dynasty forever.

The Mastermind Revealed… Or Is It?

The biggest question looming over all of this: who is orchestrating the nightmare?

The promo teases a shadowy figure, and speculation is rampant. One leading theory points to Peter Blake. His return timing lines up, and his history as Stefano’s adopted son makes him the perfect wildcard. Jealous, power-hungry, and deeply damaged, Peter fits seamlessly into this reign of psychological terror. Bringing him back would be a gift to longtime fans and a chilling callback to Days’ golden era.

Others believe Dmitri is the culprit. His erratic behavior, thirst for attention, and flair for theatrical villainy make him a strong contender. Kidnapping half the town would absolutely fit his chaotic personality, especially if it meant all eyes were on him.

Then there’s the theory that refuses to go away: Dr. Rolf. The mad scientist has never needed money or logic — only obsession. Whether he’s trying to revive Stefano’s legacy or spark another DiMera uprising, Rolf working behind the scenes feels disturbingly plausible.

The most compelling possibility? It’s not just one villain. Rolf may be the architect, manipulating events from the shadows, while Peter Blake acts as the enforcer — or worse, a brainwashed pawn molded into Stefano’s successor. Days loves its mind-control tragedies, and the idea of Peter losing himself to his “father’s” legacy is both horrifying and heartbreakingly on-brand.

Even the haunting piano notes in the promo hint at something deeper. This isn’t chaos for chaos’s sake. Whoever is responsible sees themselves as an artist, crafting fear with precision.

Chanel’s Secret: A New Life Amid Destruction

Away from the crypts and power struggles, a quieter — but equally explosive — storyline is unfolding. Chanel has been keeping a secret, and all signs point to pregnancy. Doctor visits, hushed conversations, and mounting anxiety suggest a life-altering revelation she’s not ready to share.

On the surface, this should be joyful news. Chanel and Johnny have fought hard for stability, and a baby could symbolize hope. But this is Salem, where secrets poison even the happiest moments.

Why hasn’t she told Johnny? Is she afraid of his reaction, especially with his family in crisis? Or is she worried the stress will overshadow the news entirely? While it’s likely Johnny is the father, doubt always lingers in a soap, and that uncertainty alone could cause damage.

If Johnny learns Chanel kept this from him while the DiMera family implodes, his reaction may be fueled more by betrayal than joy. And if EJ re-enters the picture, expect strong opinions and even stronger interference. This baby could heal wounds — or rip them wide open.

Brady, Marlena, and Rachel: A Family at War

Finally, the Black family finds itself in emotional freefall. Marlena’s decision to have Rachel placed in treatment without Brady’s knowledge has detonated their trust. As a parent, Brady feels betrayed on a fundamental level. No one wants to discover such a life-altering decision was made behind their back.

Yet the situation isn’t black and white. Rachel’s behavior has been increasingly disturbing — manipulative, cruel, and eerily reminiscent of Kristen. Brady’s guilt has led him to excuse behavior that desperately needed intervention.

Marlena, as both psychiatrist and concerned grandmother, made a devastating choice she believed was necessary. She’s trying to prevent Rachel from becoming another Kristen, even if it means sacrificing her relationship with Brady in the process.

Brady’s aimless existence — lounging around Maggie’s house, disconnected and drifting — reflects a man who’s lost control. A massive confrontation between Brady and Marlena feels inevitable, and this isn’t a wound that will heal easily.

What’s Next for Salem?

The week of December 15 is shaping up to be a pressure cooker. Xander teeters on the edge of explosion. The DiMeras are trapped with their secrets. Chanel carries news that could change everything. A mysterious villain pulls the strings, and a shocking white powder attack on Alex sends a chilling message: this is only the beginning.

Days of Our Lives is closing the year by fully embracing its wild, unhinged roots — and that’s exactly why fans can’t look away. Everyone was deceived. And when the truth finally comes out, Salem will never be the same.