EastEnders won’t end in 2025 peacefully. Instead, the film chooses to sow the seeds of disaster with a familiar name: Max Branning Once again, Max found himself at the epicenter of all the chaos, precisely when Walford was most exhausted for him — and perhaps also the most dangerous time to trust any promises.

Max Branning and his string of mistakes leave no room for excuse.

Having just caused chaos at the Mitchells’ christening by revealing his secret relationship with Cindy Beale, Max went on to burn bridges behind him. A violent brawl with Peter Beale. An ill-timed and unacceptable flirtation with Linda Carter. As the year drew to a close, Max not only lost favor — he nearly became the ostracized figure of Walford.

But Max still believed he could start over. And as always, he chose to begin with… an apology.

A “reconciliation” lunch and an emotional trap with Lauren, Oscar
Determined to enter 2026 with a different image, Max approaches Oscar with a fragile olive branch: a family lunch, Lauren, an apology, and hope for reconciliation. “Just don’t tell her you met me,” Max blurts out—a statement enough for Oscar to understand she’s walking into an emotional ambush.

Lauren showed up at The Vic believing it was a reunion with her brothers. When she realized she’d been tricked, her anger erupted immediately. She reluctantly sat down, but only gave Max exactly 10 minutes. No more.

The confession was cut short at the cruelest moment.
For a rare moment, Max laid down his weapons. He admitted he was trapped in a toxic, self-destructive loop, constantly hurting the people he loved. He said he wanted to change. He said he was determined.

But Walford didn’t give Max a chance to finish the story.

Elaine Peacock burst in, throwing a scathing accusation straight at him: Max had been drunk, tried to sleep with her daughter, groping her inappropriately, leaving her with an indelible feeling of humiliation. Despite Max’s attempts to explain that his children were the most important thing in his life, it was too late. Lauren and Oscar stood up and left. No need to argue. No need for further evidence. Only the raw humiliation remained.

Ian Beale and the cruel offer disguised as sympathy.
Left alone, Max wandered the market, drinking as was his habit. Ian Beale appeared, initially feigning sympathy for his end-of-year loneliness — then revealing his true colors. Ian offered money. The condition: Max would leave Walford forever.

Completely broken, Max packed his bags, checked out of the hotel, and asked Linda to say goodbye to Annie for him. Another escape was being prepared — typical Max Branning.

Linda Carter and the moment that turned her fate around.
But this time, there was a variable. Linda found Max and said something nobody expected: she believed he could change. Not a reproach. Not a plea. Just a straightforward belief that made Max hesitate.

Max returned to Harry’s Barn, paid Ian the money, and declared he would stay. He chose to fight rather than run away. “2026 is the year I’ll be a real father,” Max said, before turning to Lauren and vowing that next year she would be proud of him.

Flashforward 2027 and the question no one dares to answer.
The Queen Vic sign changed to “Happy New Year 2027.” Flashforward began. The future unfolded—but it was anything but reassuring. Max’s vow sounded eerily familiar. Walford had heard it many times. And each time, the consequences had been more severe.

EastEnders doesn’t ask the audience whether they believe Max or not. The film simply raises a far more dangerous question.

Will 2026 truly be the year Max Branning changes — or just the beginning of his biggest downfall?