Stranger Things has its scary moments throughout its run, and there are lots of things in this show that are pretty disturbing. But for me, nothing scared me more nor more intensely then when Max’s vision of Vecna starts in The Piggyback.

To hear Lucas turn on her like that and call her a monster for dealing with mental illness, and to look at her like he was afraid and sickened by her legitimately got me crying and breathing a bit too fast. That stressed me the hell out, not only as someone who loves Max and Lucas and their relationship, but also as someone who struggles with mental illness.

What a performance there especially Caleb McLaughlin, and from Sadie Sink too. The sigh of relief when I realized it was Vecna was definitely audible. Just wanted to share a more subtle moment that really really freaked me out and put me on edge.