By Melissa Fleur AfsharShareNewsweek is a Trust Project memberA dog’s dramatic reaction to their name being called during a pivotal scene in Stranger Things has left millions of viewers on TikTok in stitches.
The viral video, shared on November 29 by the dog's owner under @mah.bordercollie0, shows the border collie named Maxine transfixed by a season 4 scene from the hit Netflix series. The clip, viewed more than 4.4 million times and liked by almost 1 million users, struck a chord with viewers on the platform, thanks to the dog’s rapid response to their nickname, Max, being called in the show.
Viewers were able to see Max sitting calmly on a couch beside her owner, casually watching the television and observing her surroundings. But everything changed when the character Eleven, played by Millie Bobby Brown, called out, “Max!”—prompting the dog to immediately perk up and lock eyes with the screen. As Eleven repeated the name in distress, the pup continued to react, each time more alert, creating the impression that she believed she is being urgently summoned by the main character on screen.
The scene is from a critical emotional arc in season 4 of Stranger Things, when Eleven is seen trying to reach Max Mayfield, another main character played by Sadie Sink. The tension and urgency in the dialogue appeared to have struck a nerve with the real-life canine Max, whose attentive reactions give the moment a new comedic layer.
Loading tiktok content...
An overlaid text on the video provided viewers with more context: “When your dog’s name is Max and she thinks Eleven is calling her.”
...To the amusement of Max's owner and viewers online, each time her name was called by the character on-screen, the canine reacted by whipping her head toward the TV or tilting it inquisitively.
The post quickly gained traction, with TikTok users flooding the comments in delight. Several shared how their own pets react to the hit Netflix series.
"She is like: [oh my God] the TV knows my name," one viewer said, while another added: "And dogs can feel/sense energy, so she was [probably] concerned.
"My dog’s name is also Max and he thought Eleven was calling him," a third shared.
"My cat's name is Will," a different viewer commented. "Season 1 is fun when he’s in the room."
The viewer was referencing a particular scene in season 1 of the show, where Will, played by Noah Schnapp, goes missing, and his name is called out repeatedly in the field search for him by his family and police officers.
Newsweek reached out to @mah.bordercollie0 for more information via TikTok.
Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to [email protected] with some details about your best friend, and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
Request Reprint & LicensingSubmit CorrectionView Editorial & AI Guidelines
Add Newsweek as a preferred source on Google to see more of our trusted coverage when you search.Recommended For You
PetsTears at How Deaf and Blind 15-Year-Old Dog Falls Asleep Waiting for Owner3 min read
PetsWoman Confused Why Dog’s Fur Is So Glossy—Then Realizes What Boyfriend Did3 min read
PetsWoman Takes Dog for X-Ray—Results Reveal Chilling Truth About Her Past3 min read
LifeTears at Reaction From Terrified Stray Dog As He Enters Warm Loving Home4 min read
PetsOwner Introduces Siberian Cat to Snow—Then Sees His Reaction3 min read
Life‘Stray’ Cat Shows Up in Woman’s Garden—Then Comes Jaw-Dropping Realization6 min readRelated Podcasts
Top Stories
NewsExclusive: Democrat Targets Trump’s $175B Immigration Funds for Housing7 min read
For MembersNewsUncommon Knowledge: Will Trump Accounts Pay Off?6 min read
NewsUkraine War Live Updates: Russia Says No ‘Compromise’ Peace Deal Reached2 min read
PoliticsDemocrat Says Trump Admin’s ‘Absurd’ Actions Will Help ICE Bill Succeed6 min read
OpinionHas President Trump Ushered in an Era of Peace in the Middle East? Newsweek Contributors Debate6 min read
U.S.Exclusive: Melania Trump’s Immigration Lawyer Responds to New Citizenship Bill5 min readTrending
WeatherList of Schools Closed Tuesday as Snowstorm Hits4 min read
TennesseeTennessee Special Election: Behn Teases Another Run After Losing to Van Epps2 min read
Winter StormWinter Storm Warning As 12 Inches of Snow To Hit: ‘Delay All Travel’3 min read
ViralCat Arrives at Vet for Neuter, Staff Not Ready for What’s in the Carrier3 min read
CitizenshipCitizenship Requirements to Change For Millions of Americans Under New Bill4 min readOpinion
OpinionLebanon 2.0—Shepherding the Path to Peace | Opinion4 min read
OpinionThe Cost of Detaining Immigrants Working Legally | Opinion5 min read
OpinionProsecuting Congress for Stating the Law: An Impeachable Offense | Opinion4 min read
For MembersOpinionConventional Wisdom: Trump Pardons Former Honduran President3 min read
OpinionRand Paul: My Proposal Will Improve Health Care and Lower Costs | Opinion4 min read
