Stranger Things season 5 is finally filming, but one photo outside the set has raised concerns about Max’s (Sadie Sink) fate, but there’s nothing to worry about. After lots of mysteries and adventures in both the human world and the Upside Down, Stranger Things is coming to an end with its fifth season. Following a couple of delays, mostly due to the 2023 Hollywood strikes, Stranger Things season 5 is finally in production, and the Duffer Brothers celebrated the beginning of filming with a photo of the main cast, which included Sadie Sink.

Stranger Things season 4 ended on a massive cliffhanger as the Upside Down started to take over the human world, but it also ended on a tragic note. Max couldn’t be saved from Vecna on time, and she died but was brought back by Eleven, leaving her in a coma. Sink’s presence in the cast photo shared by the Duffer Brothers gave hope for Max’s survival in Stranger Things season 5, but a new photo has now raised concerns, as Sink is no longer in Atlanta, where filming is taking place – but there’s nothing to worry about.

Sadie Sink Can Still Be Filming Stranger Things Season 5

It’s not uncommon for actors to go back and forth while filming.

Production of Stranger Things season 5 came across various obstacles that delayed the start of filming. The COVID-19 pandemic delayed filming of Stranger Things season 4 and the writing of season 5, and as mentioned above, the 2023 Hollywood strikes delayed the start of filming of season 5. The final season of Stranger Things finally entered production in January 2024, with the Duffer Brothers sharing on-set pics from time to time on their social media, but without revealing any plot details and other spoiler-y things.

The group photo shared to celebrate the start of filming included Sadie Sink, which was a huge relief for fans of Max and Stranger Things as it gave them hope for Max’s survival – however, this excitement quickly dissipated after a photo of Sadie Sink in London with the cast of the prequel play Stranger Things On Stage was shared on social media. Sink being in London while the rest of the cast are filming season 5 in Atlanta instantly raised concerns about Max not surviving for long in Stranger Things’ final season.

However, Sink being in London doesn’t mean that she’s done with her work on Stranger Things season 5. It’s not uncommon for actors to go back and forth between locations and leave the area for a while, whether to fulfill other work commitments or for personal reasons. Sink could be on a break from filming Stranger Things season 5 and will return to the set at some point, so her photo in London is no reason to worry about Max’s fate.

Stranger Things Has Proven It Won’t Kill Its Main Characters

Hopper’s fate points at Max most likely surviving.

Stranger Things has mixed horror, fantasy, comedy, and drama, and hasn’t been afraid of killing popular and beloved characters, usually new ones. The first controversial death in Stranger Things was that of Nancy’s friend, Barb, which made way for the hashtag “JusticeForBarb”, and season 2 killed the new character Bob Newby, who earned the love and trust of Joyce and the audience. Stranger Things season 3 took it a step further by killing two popular characters: Max’s stepbrother Billy, who had been under the Mind Flayer’s control, and Sergei, a new character who quickly won the audience over.

Stranger Things season 4 had what might be the most tragic death in the series so far. Eddie Munson, Hawkins’ outcast and a friend of Mike, Lucas, and Dustin, was killed by the demobats in the Upside Down while helping the Hawkins crew defeat Vecna, but to the rest of the town, Eddie was nothing more than a murderer. However, despite killing all these beloved characters, Stranger Things has never killed a main character – at least not those on the side of the heroes, as Dr. Brenner died in season 4.

A couple of Stranger Things characters have had death fakeouts, beginning with Will Byers in season 1. Brenner and Eleven were also believed to be dead at the end of Stranger Things season 1, but the biggest death fakeout so far has been Jim Hopper. Hopper was supposedly killed at the end of season 3, but a post-credits scene teased his survival, which was later confirmed in a season 3 teaser. Hopper’s fate is proof that Max will be ok in Stranger Things season 5, as it’s unlikely the series will kill a main character.

How Max Can Be Saved In Stranger Things Season 5

Not all hope is lost for Max.

It’s unclear if Max is trapped in her mind of Vecna’s, as Eleven couldn’t contact her in the void, but there’s still some hope for Max to be saved. Eleven could find another way to get to Max and bring her back, but if Max is somehow linked to Vecna, her only salvation might be Vecna’s defeat and destruction. Others have suggested that Max’s bond with Lucas could be what brings her back, similar to how Mike’s love helped Eleven summon the strength she needed to confront Vecna. However, even if Max’s consciousness is brought back, she’s facing another massive challenge.

Vecna’s attack left Max severely injured, with various broken bones, and left her blind after making her eyes bleed. Max even told Lucas that she couldn’t see, so even if her mind is brought back and she comes out of her coma, it’s unclear if Max would be able to see again. Fans of Stranger Things don’t need to worry about Sadie Sink not being on the set of season 5, but they should worry about the consequences that Vecna’s attack will have on Max’s body and mind.