Sadie Sink Came Around to Her Stranger Things Fate

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Max Mayfield is proving to be incredibly resilient. For most of the final season of Stranger Things, Sadie Sink’s character is trapped in a bleak and haunting dream world – Vecna’s mental prison, called Camazotz – where she’s been held for two years while looking after the spirited Holly Wheeler (Nell Fisher). Holly gets pulled into this nightmare too, becoming another of Vecna’s captives as he tries to reshape the world using children. However, in an unexpected turn, Holly isn’t a victim—she’s the one who ultimately helps Max.

Because of Holly’s determination to escape the cave – their only safe haven from Vecna – and find a way back home, the young women embark on a journey through Vecna’s memories, realizing they can escape by revisiting the night he captured Holly. Following a series of clues, they discover how Henry Kreel became Vecna and why he feared the cave so much. It turns out that as a child, Henry found an injured, unstable scientist hiding in the rock formations, guarding a briefcase. Mistaking Henry for an assassin sent by enemies, the scientist shot him. Henry then killed the scientist with a rock and opened the briefcase. The contents, and what was worth killing for, will be revealed in the finale. For now, though, there’s good news: Max is safe!

After a previous escape attempt ended badly in a strange, red place, Max thanks her friend, Holly, for saving her before they split up to try and escape Vecna on their own. Sadie Sink, who plays Max, explains that Holly’s recent heartbreak made their friendship especially meaningful, as Holly needed someone she could truly trust. Max manages to return to Hawkins, but Holly isn’t as fortunate. At the same time, Vecna unleashed Demogorgons to try and kill Max while she was in the hospital, but they weren’t successful.

Now that Max is back with her friends and boyfriend Lucas, the main group from Hawkins is getting ready for their most challenging fight yet. Sadie Sink, who plays Max, says even though Max is using a wheelchair and feels left out while the others plan to stop Vecna, the best is still to come in the final episodes. She describes filming the finale as a heartwarming experience and believes fans will be satisfied with the ending. The cast recently watched the last episode together, and Sink is confident viewers will be pleased with how the story concludes.

Max spent two years trapped in a dreamlike state, accepting her life in the cave because she was safe there. It was surprising to see how hopeless she felt, wasn’t it? The creators, the Duffers, had explained her storyline to me beforehand, knowing she was in a coma. That made it easier to understand where the story could go. It really clicked when we realized how time worked differently in her dream and how that affected her. Throughout the series, Max has faced a lot of hardship, so it makes sense she’d be the one to endure, consider her choices, and potentially overcome this. She’s always been remarkably strong.

It was surprising and heartwarming to see how well she connected with Holly. Max had never experienced a relationship like that before, especially considering her own complicated relationship with her brother. Seeing her offer Holly guidance was truly touching and seemed to be exactly what Max needed.

I really appreciate the small moments, like Max flipping off Henry in Holly’s flashbacks and taunting him from the cave. It’s interesting how she managed to stay true to herself, even in such a difficult situation, and didn’t fall apart. It could have easily become a darker, more disturbing story, similar to the movie Cast Away. I was almost hoping for a bit of that internal struggle, but it didn’t quite fit this season. When the environment changes so drastically, it’s important to maintain the character’s core personality. Max has relived these memories countless times, and she’s exhausted. In episode four, she explains how she realistically considered her options, and she was ready for any outcome. It’s not that she’s indifferent; she’s simply accepted whatever fate awaits her, which allows her to be remarkably courageous throughout the season.

Max and Holly learn about the traumatic events that caused Henry’s fear of the cave by experiencing his memories. Max then describes Henry, who becomes Vecna, as a disturbed person with delusions of grandeur, but ultimately still human. This raises the question of whether Max feels some sympathy for him. The answer is yes. Being immersed in someone’s memories, especially within a realm dedicated to holding trauma, gives Max a unique perspective on the person Vecna once was. While she doesn’t necessarily feel empathy, she understands his origins and the fact that he was once a child. Witnessing his childhood and the act that led him down a dark path changes how she views him. This blend of the supernatural and the deeply human is a defining characteristic of the show.

You did a great job helping Holly overcome her fears and believe she wasn’t a monster. How did you and Nell develop your on-screen connection while filming?

The first couple of weeks felt strange, not like Stranger Things at all. I was working with a new actress playing a character I hadn’t encountered before, and everything looked different – the sets, everything. It felt unfamiliar, but that actually made sense for Max’s situation; it shouldn’t have felt comfortable. I met Nell about a year before filming during her chemistry read, and I immediately felt protective of her, probably because she was around the same age I was when I started on the show. In some ways, our developing relationship reflected the bond between Max and Holly.

She was entering a passionate and sometimes overwhelming fan community I’d been a part of for years, and I really wanted to help her navigate it. It felt crucial to me, because the experience can be quite daunting. I think that desire to protect her came through in our on-screen connection. Especially in the final scene of episode six – Max hugging her really got to me. It struck me how rarely Max shows affection, and it was a powerful moment to see her embrace someone.

It’s interesting that Max was saved not by someone with superpowers like Eleven or a strong adult like Hopper, but by a young girl who simply believed in him, even when it didn’t seem logical. This feels very appropriate for the show, which consistently highlights the strength and resilience of kids facing enormous challenges and ultimately becoming heroes. It’s also powerful that the solution wasn’t some grand, supernatural event. While the show features other worlds and strange occurrences, the power to overcome obstacles ultimately comes from within these characters.

That final scene with Nell, in the red void, involved a really emotional speech. It was challenging to prepare for, especially since the set was just a green screen! The hardest thing about filming Stranger Things is often delivering long monologues while the world is falling apart. It’s a strange mix of high stakes and drawn-out heroism, but this moment felt earned – it perfectly captured the culmination of their journey. I focused on making it different from Max’s previous experience in the void. Last time, she was desperately trying to escape Vecna, so it was much more frantic. This time, with Holly, it felt like she was finding acceptance and peace, showing a real sense of growth.

Max helps her friend feel better about herself by pointing out she’s changed. I’m interested in exploring how Max herself has been transformed by her difficult experience in the cave, and what core parts of her personality have shifted after being in a coma. Having been isolated for so long, she’ll likely deeply value her relationships, particularly her bond with Lucas, who consistently supported her. She’ll crave that level of connection and care.

What really struck me in these episodes was the powerful connection between Max and Lucas. Max reveals that her safe space, her source of strength, wasn’t Kate Bush’s music, but Lucas himself. It makes you wonder what sets their relationship apart from the others in the show. They’ve always understood and accepted each other, which is especially important for Max, who hasn’t had much stability in her life. She’s faced disappointment and loss repeatedly, but Lucas has consistently been there for her, even when she’s tried to distance him. Their reunion after Max’s coma is incredibly moving. It’s easy to forget how much they’ve been through, especially this season when they were separated, and seeing them reconnect feels complete and lasting.

Do you think they’re meant to be? Absolutely. Considering everything they’ve overcome, if they’re still a couple by the end, it’s clear they’re a perfect match.

I was curious how easily Caleb was able to move around the hospital while carrying me, and if there were any accidents. Thankfully, he didn’t stumble or fall at all! I was actually really amazed – he was running while carrying me and the boombox, and then pretending to fight Demogorgons. I honestly felt terrible because I couldn’t help at all – I was just completely helpless.

I’ve been wondering what happened to Max’s mother and how she would react to her daughter being in a coma. It’s interesting that Max never mentioned her to Holly. It seems like the show rarely addresses the parents – we only really know about Karen Wheeler. I think Max’s mom might have disappeared or died during the events at the end of season four, possibly when the rift went through the trailer park. That day isn’t really focused on anymore, so it’s easy to miss.

Near the end of the seventh episode, Max perfectly captures how I felt all season when she says, “It gives me a headache to try to understand all of this.” I’ve found myself wondering if the complex backstory and world-building have started to overshadow the story itself. Honestly, the supernatural elements are confusing, especially considering my character’s storyline last season. I often feel lost while watching shows, and I had the same experience with Severance. Sometimes, you just have to trust the actors and go along with the general plot. Sadie Sink, who plays Max, has been dealing with this for two years within the show, and I felt similarly during the big planning scenes. I was completely lost and needed to rewatch the episodes to catch up! Now I have a much clearer picture of what’s happening.

It’s interesting how two songs by female artists – Kate Bush’s “Running Up That Hill” and Lorde’s “Green Light” – have become so connected to my work, specifically Stranger Things and John Proctor Is the Villain. They both feel incredibly emotionally releasing. I’ve really embraced this accidental playlist and I think I’ll even add Taylor Swift’s “All Too Well” to it. These songs feel like they’ve become a part of who I am.

Let’s switch gears – your hair in Camazotz was quite a statement! Can you tell me about the idea behind that wild look? Actually, that wasn’t my real hair! It was a wig because my hair was short at the time, and the script called for long, messy hair – describing it as ‘down and a bit feral.’ I had imagined something beautiful, so when I first saw the wig, I was shocked! It looked crazy. But I eventually got used to it and really liked it. It fit the character – sun-damaged and tangled. Still, watching the show for the first time, I was startled by my own appearance and thought, ‘With all the stuff in her cave, she couldn’t find a hair tie?’ It was a real jump scare!

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2025-12-26 07:56