‘Stranger Things’ Star on That Surprise Return: “She’s in a Rough, Feral State”

[This story contains major spoilers from Stranger Things season five, episodes one through four.]

Heading into the final season of Stranger Things, fans are well and fully prepped for a certain level of brutality. Just think back on some of the biggest traumatic moments from over the years — the death of Sean Astin’s Bob, for one, and the fresh tragedy of meeting and losing Eddie Munson (Joseph Quinn) all in one season. But there was very nearly a worse death in season four: Sadie Sink’s skateboarding hero, Max, briefly killed at the whims of Lord Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower), only to return to life thanks to a little help from her friend Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown).

Set months after the season four finale, the final season premiere shows just how much has changed since Max fell into a coma — except for Max, who is still comatose as the story begins. But that’s not where the story ends. The season’s third episode reveals Max’s true whereabouts as a spirit of sorts, stalking the Upside Down, hiding out from Vecna and plotting a comeback. All she needs is a little help from another friend. Enter: Holly Wheeler, played this season by Nell Fisher, who shows up at the wrong place at the right time to join forces against the Upside Down’s cruel overlord.

Below, The Hollywood Reporter speaks with Sadie Sink about Max’s epic comeback, spending most of her scenes across from a relative newcomer to the Stranger Things scene, and why she still doesn’t feel closure at the end of the series’ run.

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The wait between seasons four and five was quite stressful for Max fans. I assume it was less stressful for you?

Yes, it was less stressful. I knew she would be coming back when we were finishing season four. I was kind of warned that it would look like I was dying, “but don’t worry, you’re not.”

Technically, you did!

Technically! But they said, “Don’t worry, you’re safe. You will serve a purpose in this plot.” But that was kind of it, so I had no idea what that meant. We got the first four scripts [for season fove], and then there was a ridiculous table read for it, which was so formal, and not what we were used to at all. It seemed like it was so intense, and we were all like, “What are we doing?” Table reads are fun and we got to do a lot more this year, but honestly, I’ve never been more nervous at a table read than just to say that line one …

Right, because you’re silent until the very end of episode three, and then bam: Max!

Totally. And it was in this huge room where they had blacked it all out, and there was a camera on every single cast member — and there’s like 30 of us. With the cameras it was very rigid and stiff. Everyone had been reading through it, and I think I was knitting a scarf or something. (Laughs.) Because the first three episodes, I’m obviously in a coma. Then we got to the end of episode three and it came time to say my line, I was sweating. I thought I was losing control of my voice. I was like, “Oh, my God, I’m going to fuck it up!” But I didn’t.

Once you found out how you were coming back, how much did the Duffers unpack things for you? You’re sort of existing in a dream within a dream — or a nightmare within a nightmare. 

They had to give me more specifics because I had to do a chemistry read with Nell Fisher who plays Holly this season, and we had a couple of scenes together in episode four that kind revealed more information about Max’s plot line. Then they filled me in on where I was. But before then, I don’t remember what I thought Max was doing. I think I was just trusting the process.

That’s a lot of trust, given just how existential your role is so far. It’s Max, and it’s not Max? You’re physically alive, but in a coma, and meanwhile in the Upside Down, you’re giving Vecna hell. Was it harder to ground yourself this year?

For sure, because in past seasons there’s always been something to anchor me to the character, whether it’s the actors I’m with or the environment, or even just the clothes, the bands, the skateboard. But this season, there was nothing. It was clothes that didn’t feel like Max, crazy hair that was grown out and tangled, and dirt all over my face. She’s in a rough, feral state. It was pretty bizarre. It was weird to feel like Max and then look like that and be in that environment, and working with a new actor. I know how Max responds to Lucas or Mike or Eleven or Will, but to a 12-year-old girl? I didn’t know what that was like.

What did you discover about Max as you pushed deeper into those scenes with Nell?

It revealed that Max is a really caring person. She’s a really good friend, and I don’t think she sees Holly as someone who is younger than her. She sees her as an ally and extends that respect. There’s a mutual respect. She knows they have to be on the same team, and she needs something from her. It was cool to see her level with her. Holly’s also a really intelligent character, so it was an interesting dynamic to explore, and Nell is so good. She’s ridiculously smart, not just in her acting choices in life and who she is. She’s got an incredible brain and I learned a lot from her, and as different as it was to be away from the rest of the cast, I found so much joy and freedom and discovery with Nell. It felt like we were on our own little adventure, our own little side quest. I can’t wait to see what she does next.

Still, was it tough to be away from the rest of The Party?

Totally. It was difficult, but also cool to watch these first four episodes, which is all I’ve seen, and to see what they’ve been working on because I’m more of a visual person. At the table reads it was kind of confusing to visualize everything. For example, Nell and I laugh because when I read in the script that she wears a little action figure around her neck, I thought it was a full-sized G.I. Joe. Then when I saw it on the day and saw its size, I was like, “OH. Okay. That makes a lot more sense.” (Laughs.) But that’s how I always am with the show. When I read the scripts, I just can’t [visualize]. It’s hard for me.

Do storyboards help?

Storyboards do help sometimes, especially for the bigger action stuff. What I don’t like is a pre-vis, but that’s why they don’t show it to the actors. I’m always blonde in it for some reason, or something else is off.

With this as the final season, how much did you feel the finality looming over everything? Was there space to feel celebratory at the same time?

I feel like we bonded a lot more this season… or maybe we just reflected more on how much we actually know each other and lean on each other. This season kind of felt like a tribute to these last 10 years we’ve spent together. It definitely hung over all of us throughout the season. Even on month eight when you’re like, there is no end in sight, but we have to get through this! Even then, it was like, we’ll never have this again. By the end, I felt like I could do another season.

With the show out now — partly at least — do you feel like you’ve let Max go? Or will it take some time still?

I mean, I’m so happy with the way it ends. I feel like we’ve left it all out on the table and it’s at a good closing point, but I don’t know. I could do it again. Bbecause I love that set so much and I love the character. I don’t think I really said goodbye to Max yet. I don’t think I ever really will.

I was going to ask what you think it would take to feel that finality, but you think she’ll stick with you?

I think so. I know this is so far in the future, but I think about showing future family members of mine or kids, and showing them this huge piece of my history and the most formative years of my life. Having that to look forward to sharing with new people helps me hold on to it. I know it’s not over because I still have so much more of it to share.

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Season five of Stranger Things will be released in three parts: Volume 1 (consisting of four episodes) is now streaming on Netflix, Volume 2 releases on Christmas (three episodes) and The Finale on New Year’s Eve. Check out THR‘s season five coverage here.