The success of Stranger Things 4 will come as a surprise to no one. The ’80s-set sci-fi series has been a cornerstone show for Netflix since it debuted in 2016. One of the most popular storylines in the new season involves Max (Sadie Sink) dealing with the grief of losing her brother Billy (Dacre Montgomery). Ahead of the final two episodes, Sink discussed her character’s journey and what we can expect from Volume II.
The fourth episode of the penultimate season, “Dear Billy,” was one of the most talked-about parts of the season. I’m sure we’ve all heard Kate Bush’s classic “Running Up That Hill” make a roaring comeback in the past couple of weeks. The song is an integral part of the plot. In the episode, her friends use the song to save her from being captured by Vecna, all while she’s sitting in front of Billy’s grave.
“To be in a position where her life is on the line, but to see her friends showing up for her and choosing to fight was a really powerful moment for her,” Sink told The Hollywood Reporter. “The heart of the season and the entire show is based upon the idea that friendship is stronger than fear. That really comes to play in that moment for Max.”
That scene itself is tough enough for anyone to act, but the absence of Dacre Montgomery (Billy) — who could not be on set due to pandemic restrictions — made it that much harder for her:
"That was definitely the most challenging [scene] I think I’ve ever had to do on Stranger Things, just because so much of Max and Billy’s relationship comes from the onscreen chemistry that me and Dacre have. Being used to working with him and reading with him for two seasons now, and then having to do a really important scene with him but not have him there, was definitely very tricky."
Kudos to Sink for pulling it off!
We will see a “fiercer side” of Max in Stranger Things 4, Volume 2
In the final two episodes, Sink teases that we’re going to to see a much fiercer Max who’s prepared to make some big decisions. “Max’s journey in Volume 2, I think, is about how she has to make some really brave choices. And she has already, but I think she has to really step up and be braver than she’s ever been before.”
"So, that was a nice side of her to see; taking charge of her own life, her own fate and kind of taking a stand, which she’s always been good at, but this is to the extreme. So, it’s nice to see that fiercer side of her, which we caught kind of a glimpse of through the last bit of episode four when she’s choosing to fight. So I guess just a little bit more of that."
Looking even further ahead to season 5, which will be the show’s final season, Sink says that she has no idea what it will entail. “Honestly, I do not know anything about season 5,” she said. “They keep it very locked in a way and don’t let any of the cast know.” Those Duffer brothers like to hold their secrets close.
See how the “Running Up That Hill” scene came together on Stranger Things
Interested in seeing how that powerful scene came together? You’re in luck. In a recent video released by Netflix, director Shawn Levy and Sadie Sink talk us through the making of it:
Stranger Things season 4, Volume II drops on Netflix on July 1. Prepare yourselves: the season finale is a crazy 2 hours and 30 minutes long. Yikes!
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