'Stranger Things' Season 5 Finally Revealed What Really Happened to Max
Max still has a chance for a happy ending.
The premiere of the first Volume of Stranger Things' final season brought long-awaited answers to one of the most pressing questions left unanswered since Season 4.
We finally know the fate of Max, who was brutally attacked by Vecna at the end of last season. The Duffer Brothers revealed the truth behind Sadie Sink character's coma, offering fans hope for a happy ending for one of their most beloved characters.
Max Is Still Trapped in Vecna's Mind
After Eleven brought Max back to life in Season 4 but failed to restore her consciousness, Max found herself trapped. She wasn't just comatose – her mind was trapped in the heart of the Upside Down within Vecna's consciousness.
As revealed in Season 5, Max had spent the previous 20 months traveling through Henry Creel's nightmarish memories.
She witnessed the darkest moments of his life, including the bloody massacre at Hawkins Lab in 1979. She was locked in a vicious cycle, constantly reliving the same horrific events.
"Running Up That Hill" Could Be the Key to Saving Max Again
Once again, Max's favorite song, which had saved her from Vecna before, played a pivotal role. In Vecna's mindscape, she heard the familiar sounds of Kate Bush's "Running Up That Hill."
The melody led her to a portal back to the real world – her hospital room, where Lucas had played the song for her. Unfortunately, the music ended before she could reach the exit, and the portal closed.
Still, this moment proved that Max's bond with her friends remained strong, and "Running Up That Hill" could be the key to her return again.
What Will Happen to Max in the Future Episodes?
After Max's failed escape attempt, Vecna intensified the hunt for her. However, she managed to find a unique hiding place – a cave in the Upside Down that the monster can't enter for some reason.
There, she finds Holly Wheeler, Mike's younger sister, who was kidnapped by the Demogorgon on Vecna's orders. Now, not only does Max have an ally, but she also has a real chance at salvation.
Together, they can try to escape the dimension and help Eleven and the others in the final battle against Vecna. Max's fate is now closely intertwined with Holly's, and their joint escape could be pivotal in the upcoming confrontation.
When Will Volumes 2 & 3 of 'Stranger Things' Season 5 Be Released?
The second Volume of Season 5, consisting of three episodes, will air on December 25. The final episode will air on New Year's Eve – on December 31.
