As the haunting storyline of Stranger Things returns with Season 5 Volume 1, the focus is relentlessly drawn back to Max's fate, which remains elusive even after the tumultuous events of Vecna's curse. The new episodes gently unravel what has become of her, but the truth, like shards of a shattered mirror, only deepen the mystery instead of providing clarity.
In the first four episodes of Season 5 Volume 1, Max finds herself in a state of suspended animation, trapped in a coma. Lucas's visits to her in the hospital, playing Kate Bush's "Running Up That Hill," are acts of hopeful defiance. Despite her physical condition gradually improving—her broken bones mending and the neck brace a thing of the past—Max remains blind, a lingering reminder of Vecna's nefarious power.
Yet, within the twisted realm of Vecna's mind, Max's consciousness finds a spark of life. She whispers to Holly that she "really did die" in season 4 but felt an inexplicable call before awakening in the Rainbow Room. As she navigates through Henry Creel's memories, Max searches for a way out, almost escaping when she hears "Running Up That Hill." The song acts as a portal to her hospital room, but it closes just before she can step through.
In "The Turnbow Trap," Max shares with Holly that Vecna cannot follow her into a cave near the Creel house in his mindscape. Choosing to remain in the cave, Max asserts, "he can’t get in there," keeping her safe from Vecna's grasp. The show teases us with this unexplained phenomenon, leaving us curious about why Vecna is barred from entering this particular sanctuary.
Lucas remains unaware that Max hears his music while in her coma, his hope unwavering. But when Vecna eventually discovers Max's attempt to escape, she urges Holly to return to the Creel house alone and to keep Vecna unaware of her knowledge.
The Volume 1 concludes without Max waking up, leaving her fate hanging in the balance. Will she and Holly escape Vecna's mindscape before he uses the other kids to reshape the world? Only Volume 2, releasing on December 25, will reveal if Max can return to the real world and reclaim her life.
