Max’s Fate In Stranger Things Season 5 Volume 1 Explained: Is She Still Alive?

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Be warned – this contains spoilers for the first part of Stranger Things season 5! Everyone is wondering what will happen to Max in the final season of Stranger Things. The show is known for its sad moments, but the ending of season 4, specifically what happened to Sadie Sink’s character, was particularly heartbreaking.

I have to say, Max has really become a standout character since she was introduced in season two. She’s quickly become crucial to the show’s heart, and it’s been fascinating watching her grow, especially her relationships with the younger kids. Season four, though? That was a powerful dive into the aftermath of Billy’s death, and the way it messed with her – the grief, the possible guilt, it was all so layered and compelling to watch. It really showcased the depth of her character.

Fans were shocked when Max was attacked by Vecna, and even more surprised when the show’s creators, the Duffer Brothers, seemed to kill her off. While Max is currently in a coma, the creators have confirmed she’s technically alive, but with no brain activity. Fortunately, the first part of Stranger Things season 5 quickly reveals what really happened to her.

Max Is Still In A Coma At The Start Of Stranger Things Season 5

Even though season 4 of Stranger Things ended some time ago, Max remains in a coma at the start of season 5. Despite this, Lucas hasn’t given up on her recovery. He still visits her and plays Kate Bush’s “Running Up That Hill,” hoping to wake her, but so far, his efforts haven’t shown any results.

Max looks like she’s recovering well. Her broken bones have healed and she’s no longer wearing a neck brace, which means she might be able to get out of bed when she wakes up. However, she lost her sight because of Vecna’s curse, and it’s unknown if she’ll regain her vision even if she does wake up.

What Happened To Max After She “Died” In Season 4

By the end of the third episode of Stranger Things season 5, titled “The Turnbow Trap,” it’s revealed that the person watching over Holly at the Creel house is Max—but not the Max viewers knew. She explains to Holly that she actually died when Vecna attacked, but before she passed, she felt a pull that led her to the Rainbow Room after Henry’s killings. Now, she’s stuck inside Vecna’s mind, constantly reliving memories.

Vecna trapped Max inside a confusing, maze-like world within her own mind. Just when she was about to lose hope, she was suddenly back in the Rainbow Room, and the song “Running Up That Hill” began to play. Meanwhile, Lucas didn’t realize Max was even hearing the music, as she was in a coma. While reliving the night Vecna attacked her, Max discovered a doorway that looked like a portal, leading back to the hospital room. But the song stopped just as she was about to go through it, and the portal closed. To make things even worse, Vecna found her while she was trying to get away.

Why Max Is Living In The Cave Within Vecna’s Mindscape

Image via Netflix

While fleeing Vecna—who appeared as Henry Creel—Max found herself in the same memory that Holly later entered. Instead of going into the Creel house, Max ran into the woods and into a cave with Vecna in pursuit. Surprisingly, Vecna wouldn’t approach the cave wall and didn’t follow her inside. Max tells Holly that whatever kept Vecna from entering the cave is why Holly was able to create a safe space there within the mindscape.

By the end of Stranger Things season 5, the show needs to reveal the full story behind the strange memory of the rock formation and cave – including what happened to Henry and why he’s blocked from entering. More importantly, the season must determine if Max and Holly can escape Vecna’s control and return to the real world. Holly is a key target for Vecna, who intends to use her to change the world.

Okay, fellow movie and TV lovers, great news! The first part of the final Stranger Things season is finally here on Netflix. We can dive in now, but mark your calendars – Volume 2 drops on December 25th, and then we get the absolute series finale on December 31st. It’s going to be a bittersweet end to the year!

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2025-11-27 05:08