Stranger Things season 5’s time jump has been confirmed, but it adds another tricky aspect to Max’s fate in the show’s final installment. It’s now been over two years since season 4 arrived on Netflix, with Stranger Things season 5 releasing in 2025. Though a direct release date isn’t known, more details regarding the final chapter are slowly coming out. That said, we already know who is returning as part of the Stranger Things cast, and it includes Sadie Sink’s Max, a character that has been vital to the story since her debut in season 2.

Stranger Things season 4’s ending tragically featured Max becoming one of Vecna’s victims despite Eleven’s failed attempt to save her. El’s powers brought Max back from the dead, but Vecna’s possession still left her in a coma with broken limbs, blindness, and other serious injuries. Heading into season 5, it was unclear what Sink’s return as Max would look like, considering the character’s condition the last time we saw her. Her impact on the final season also depends on Stranger Things‘ timeline when looking at how much time has passed since season 4.

Stranger Things Season 5’s Time Jump Adds Another Challenge Surrounding Max’s Fate

The Final Season Is Set Over A Year After Season 4’s Ending

In addition to Stranger Things season 5’s episode titles, it was officially confirmed that the upcoming season would be set in the fall of 1987. The reveal puts Stranger Things season 5’s time jump at around 18 months, which is pretty substantial for a multitude of reasons. Vecna is still out there somewhere, with elements of the Upside Down spilling into Hawkins. Granted, any final showdown with Stranger Things‘ ultimate victim won’t happen until season 5’s 1987 setting. Aside from character ages, jumping ahead that far will have heavy implications for Max’s fate in the show.

Stranger Things Season 5 Episode Titles

Episode 1: “The Crawl”

Episode 2: “The Vanishing of ______”

Episode 3: “The Turnbow Trap”

Episode 4: “Sorcerer”

Episode 5: “Shock Jock”

Episode 6: “Escape from Camazotz”

Episode 7: “The Bridge”

Episode 8: “The Rightside Up”

Stranger Things creators confirmed Max is alive following the events of season 4, but they reiterated that she’s “braindead.” Without any interaction with Vecna since season 4, it’s unlikely Max’s condition has changed based on what the Duffer Brothers have teased. She died for a short period before Eleven brought her back, but even so, Max can’t even be found in the Void, suggesting her fate is far more complicated than initially thought. It’s possible that Max will remain in a comatose state for much of Stranger Things season 5 as her friends deal with whatever is in store.

Stranger Things Can’t Risk Undoing Max’s Fate In Season 4’s Ending

Max’s Condition Increased The Stakes Heading Into Season 5

Another possible solution for Max’s role in Stranger Things‘ final season would be revealing that she woke up from a coma during the time jump. By the latter half of 1987, Max may very well be in the healing stage of her long road to recovery. The option would still limit her participation in the group’s final faceoff with the Upside Down and the threats that come with it. However, saying that Max woke up during Stranger Things‘ upcoming time jump would diminish the impact of season 4’s ending.

Max being in a coma was gut-wrenching enough, but the fact that Eleven couldn’t even find her in the Void proved that getting their friend back wouldn’t be an easy task. Finding a solution to bring Max back between seasons or implying that she simply woke up from the coma would be a massive risk for Stranger Things because it would essentially undo one of the most emotional moments in the show. Max and her fate are a reminder of the dangers linked to Vecna, and erasing that notion downplays the stakes.