What happened to Sadie Sink's Max in Stranger Things 5 Volume 1? Explained

Stranger Things 5 released the first four episodes on November 26, 2025. Vecna had not returned after the events of season 4, but the heroes of Hawkins were not leaving any chance to search for him. They are determined to put an end to the chaos, but endless twists make things challenging for them.

Viewers have waited long to know what's up with their favorite characters after the last season. Max Mayfield is one character whose fate remained unclear to the fans. Played by Sadie Sink, Max put up a brave fight against Vecna in season 4. However, the tragedy she faced at the end made many wonder how things would unfold for her in season 5.

In the first volume of season 5, it is revealed to the audience that Max is stuck in Vecna/Henry Creel's memories, which acts like a mental prison.

Disclaimer: The article contains spoilers for Stranger Things 5 Volume 1. Reader's discretion is advised.

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Exploring Max's situation in Stranger Things 5 Volume 1

A still from Stranger Things 5 (Image via YouTube@stillwatchingnetflix)

Max became one of Vecna's victims in season 4, which put her life in danger. Her confrontation with Vecna brought tense moments to the show, leading to the tragic incident at the end. While Eleven and others manage to stop Vecna, her condition worsens, putting her in a coma in the end.

In Stranger Things 5, she was still lying in a coma as Lucas and the rest stayed right beside her. However, Holly's vanishing in the latest season gave an unexpected update on Max's situation. As Holly is brought to the same world of Henry Creel's memories as Max, the former innocently believes Henry to be a well-wisher and stays content there.

However, a suspenseful letter, signed under the name of Henry, is left for Holly at the Creel House, which leads her to a cave in the wild. A mysterious person meets Holly there instead of Henry, who is revealed to be Max.

Max reveals Henry's evil intentions to Holly. After season 4's incident, Max was in a coma as he had captured her inside his memories. Holly names this world of memories Camazotz, inspired by the book A Wrinkle in Time. Max shared that Henry/Vecna made her live through all his disturbing memories as an observer, which made her feel miserable.

This update justified her prolonged state of coma and health struggles, giving viewers the much-needed answers about the character's fate.

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Max's missed escape plan and the cave system

A still from Stranger Things 5 (Image via YouTube@stillwatchingnetflix)

Jumping from one memory to another, Max was losing hope as the suffering seemed endless in Camazotz. However, as she reached the memory of the Hawkins Lab Massacre day again, she heard her favorite song, Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God) by Kate Bush. Her search for the sound led her to an open portal to Hawkins, showcasing Lucas sitting beside her at the hospital and playing her favorite track.

The portal raised her hope, and she rushed to exit, but it quickly closed down as the song ended. This left her devastated, as she was very close to returning to her world. Vecna caught her in time and chased her till she reached a mysterious cave system. As she entered the cave, she realized that Vecna could not enter for some reason. There was visible pain on his face, indicating that he could not harm her at that location. Since then, she took refuge in the caves.

But Holly's entry changed things for her as it reignited her will to escape Camazotz. The second volume may explore her and Holly's escape plan and whether it works out in their favor.

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Watch Stranger Things 5 Volume 1 on Netflix.