Stranger Things season 4 volume 2 ending explained: Is Vecna dead?

Stranger Things season 4 volume 2 is finally here and fans are in for another action-packed installment of the Netflix Original. In case you missed it, the highly-anticipated season was split into two parts, and the final two episodes just dropped in the early hours this morning. A whole lot was riding on these two episodes, and fortunately for fans, they are definitely super-sized.

At the end of Stranger Things season 4 volume 1, we learned all about Vecna’s (Jamie Campbell Bower) identity as he revealed himself to be Number One / Henry Creel. It was a lot to process, and that ending leads perfectly into volume 2. Now that Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) knows who this monster is, she thinks she can fight him and in turn, save her friends back in Hawkins. But of course, it isn’t easy.

Spoilers ahead for Stranger Things season 4 part 2.

In the final episode, “The Piggyback,” Eleven realizes she might be able to save Max (Sadie Sink) and the rest of the group if she enters Max’s mind and fights Vecna that way. In the end, her strategy does work, however, not fully.

Does Max die in Stranger Things season 4?

Eleven and Max are transported to the Upside Down by Vecna, and he almost kills them both. Eleven is able to use her powers — thanks to Mike (Finn Wolfhard) encouraging her from the real world — and temporarily takes out Vecna. But it looks like it might be too little too late for Max, whose bones had already started to break. Max dies in Lucas’ (Caleb McLaughlin) arms, which is absolutely heartbreaking.

But there’s still a glimmer of hope. Eleven tries another time to save Max and she actually succeeds. At the end of Stranger Things season 4, Max is in a coma at the hospital. She dies and comes back to life in season 4. That’s pretty incredible.

Does Eleven kill Vecna in Stranger Things season 4?

There’s a two-day time-jump after Eleven saves Max, and we see the characters reunite. It seems unclear whether or not Vecna is gone for good, but we soon find out that he’s still alive. Unfortunately, Eleven is unable to kill Vecna in Stranger Things season 4, but there’s always Stranger Things season 5.

Back in Hawkins, the crew brings Eleven to Hopper’s (David Harbour) cabin so she can hide out there from the military. While they’re fixing up the place, Will (Noah Schnapp) reveals to Mike that he knows Vecna is still alive and he can feel him. He says that Vecna is hurting, but he will be back and he won’t stop until everyone is dead. We can predict that Stranger Things season 5 will be about taking Vecna down once and for all.

Do Hopper and Eleven reunite in Stranger Things season 4?

Cue the waterworks, because Hopper and Eleven do reunite in the final episode of Stranger Things season 4 and it’s so emotional! Previously, Hopper, Joyce (Winona Ryder), and Murray (Brett Gelman) are able to escape Russia with the help of Antonov (Tom Wlaschiha) and Yuri (Nikola Djuricko). From there, they get help from one of Dr. Owens’ (Paul Reiser) associates, who brings Hop and Joyce to the cabin.

While Eleven is in her room at the cabin, she’s shocked to see Hopper walk through the door. They share an adorable moment together and it’s really so great. Joyce also reunites with Eleven and with her sons.

Stranger Things season 4 ending explained

Although there are some really sweet moments in the Stranger Things season 4 finale, it does not end on a hopeful note. Will starts to feel goosebumps on the back of his neck, which signals that something from the Upside Down is coming. Particles start falling from the sky, and the people of Hawkins believe it’s somehow snowing in the spring.

The crew back at the cabin go to investigate, walking through the woods and outside to a field. They see half the field of flowers dead and black. Up ahead, they see dark clouds with a menacing red light radiating off of them. This means that Vecna is near.

Joyce and Hopper hold hands as everyone looks ahead, knowing they aren’t done with the fight yet. That’s how Stranger Things season 4 ends, and we know season 5 is about to be epic.

What are your thoughts on Stranger Things season 4? Let us know in the comments below! Stranger Things season 5 is in the works, so keep up with us at Netflix Life for all the latest news on it.