Stranger Things finale is upon us, and questions and curiosity are doubling every day about key characters' fates.

Stranger Things season five has been packed with theories, timelines, callbacks, and about a million unanswered questions. But one storyline in particular has been driving everyone a bit mad: Max being trapped inside Vecna’s mind prison alongside Holly. Is she stuck forever? Can she actually escape? And if she does, when does it happen?

Stranger Things 5 star Caleb McLaughlin reflects on his journey as Lucas Sinclair, his relationship with Sadie Sink's Max Mayfield, and more.

The Duffer Brothers borrow from James Cameron's approach to action in the thrilling "Sorcerer" episode of Stranger Things 5.

In the unfolding drama of Season 5, Max has remained in a coma since the events of Season 4. However, her return in Volume 1 brings renewed hope and speculation regarding her fate. Within the confines of Henry's Mindscape, Max encounters Holly, who is portrayed with significant visual cues that link her to Alice from Alice in Wonderland.

Stranger Things season 5 is going quite badly, and there is one big reasons for why that's happening, which could have been avoided.

Max’s physical body is in the real world in a coma. Meanwhile, her mind is in Matrix-like dimension created by Vecna. It consists of his past memories. This is also where Vecna, as Mr. Whatsit, brought Holly Wheeler. Like Max, her physical body is elsewhere.

While Stranger Things Season 5, Volume 2 has its fans, the episodes drew harsher response than the show is used to seeing

Stranger Things Season 5 Volume 2 dropped right on Christmas, 2025. The storyline puts Max Mayfield and Holly Wheeler in Henry Creel’s mind prison.

Except… eagle-eyed fans noticed a very modern detail stitched right onto the sleeve: the unmistakable Under Armour logo. Cue the collective gasp. The problem is obvious to anyone who has ever worn compression gear to the gym.