Spoiler for the movie EastEnders

In tonight’s dramatic installment, Walford is rocked by scandal, betrayal, and shocking revelations that will change everything. At the heart of the chaos lies a moment no one expected: Max Branning’s explosive return — and a kiss that threatens to shatter Stacy Slater’s world.

The evening begins at the Vic, where Lauren’s wedding is already overshadowed by her father’s sudden arrival. Max storms into the pub, instantly reigniting old grudges and raising tensions. Cat Slater, sensing the storm brewing, urges Stacy to avoid the drama upstairs. But fate has other plans. Before long, Max is seen in deep conversation with Zoe Slater. Cat spots them together and warns Zoe to stay clear, reminding her of Max’s toxic history. Yet no one else in Walford realizes that Max and Zoe already share a secret past.

Later, outside the Vic, Stacy is blindsided when she catches sight of Max and Zoe locked in a passionate kiss. Max resists at first but quickly gives in, unaware Stacy is watching. The moment leaves her shaken, betrayed, and horrified. She never suspected Zoe of being tied to Max — let alone romantically. The cliffhanger grips viewers, as teasers for what comes next promise devastating fallout.

The kiss is only the beginning of Max’s troubles. Spoilers reveal that his return sparks fury not only from Stacy but also from his daughter Lauren, who is outraged that he missed most of her wedding. Their confrontation escalates until Lauren, pushed to her breaking point, demands that Max leave Walford for good. Yet the question lingers: will Max actually go, or will he dig in his heels and cause even more turmoil?

Meanwhile, Cindy learns that Max is back in town, and her rage reignites. Haunted by the memory of her son Steven’s death, which she holds Max responsible for, Cindy storms to the Vic ready for a fiery showdown. Tensions flare as long-buried pain collides with present betrayal, and Max finds himself cornered on all sides.

For Stacy, the discovery of Max and Zoe’s kiss cuts deep. Actress Lacey Turner teased that Stacy feels “utterly flawed” by the betrayal. She never knew Max and Zoe were connected, and the revelation crushes her trust in Zoe while reminding her that Max’s destructive patterns never truly change. The fallout will ripple through the Square, testing friendships, families, and loyalties.

But the drama doesn’t stop with Max. Another storyline takes an even darker turn as troubled teen Joel Marshall spirals further into misogynistic violence. Influenced by toxic online ideologies, Joel has already shocked viewers by assaulting a woman on a train, pressuring Tommy Moon to record the crime, and secretly filming schoolgirl Avani Nandra Hart without her consent. He even shared intimate footage of Stacy Slater online, leaving her humiliated and devastated.

Joel’s disturbing past comes to light piece by piece. Years earlier, he was caught taking upskirt images in Australia, only escaping legal consequences after his father Ross allegedly paid off the victim’s family. Now in Walford, Joel’s violent tendencies resurface, and he lashes out at his girlfriend Vicki Fowler, whose once-bright relationship with him hangs by a thread. Fans have praised Alice Hey, who plays Vicki, for her emotional portrayal of a young woman trapped in Joel’s increasingly abusive grip.

Off-screen, Hey admitted the storyline has been one of her most challenging yet, describing how carrying Joel’s toxic masculinity arc left her “drained” after weeks of filming. Still, she emphasized the importance of telling such raw, uncomfortable stories, praising her co-star Max Murray for bringing chilling authenticity to Joel. Murray, just 18, has stunned castmates with his ability to shift from his kind off-camera personality to Joel’s menacing on-screen persona. The intensity of Joel’s actions is only set to escalate, promising even more harrowing developments in the weeks ahead.

Elsewhere in Walford, Harry stumbles upon Ravi’s latest ruthless scheme. When he learns that Kojo has been booked to appear at a car show far away from the Square, Harry realizes it’s a trap — another cover for Ravi’s criminal empire. Fear floods him as he grasps the danger Kojo faces, but whether he can intervene before tragedy strikes remains uncertain.

At the same time, George grows increasingly desperate for answers. Sensing something is wrong, he pushes Harry for information about Kojo. But Harry stays silent, refusing to betray confidences. The secrecy only fuels George’s frustration, and family tensions rise as Gina and Anna step in, warning George not to push his son too hard. Their plea falls on deaf ears, and the rift between George and Kojo deepens.

Meanwhile, cracks appear in the Mitchell family. As Phil prepares for his next trip, Cathy and Julie urge him to make peace with his son Ben before leaving. With tensions still simmering in the family, Phil faces a choice: swallow his pride or let another chance to heal slip through his fingers. Whether he chooses reconciliation or stubbornness could shape the family’s future.

Across the Square, Suki Panesar delivers shocking news of her own. Determined to build a future with Eve, she announces her plan to adopt. Instead of support, however, her family turns against her, branding her unfit and questioning her ability to parent. Their rejection leaves Suki devastated, doubting herself and her dream of motherhood. But rather than surrender, she turns to Eve, the one person who understands her, seeking comfort and strength. Their relationship faces yet another test — will their love endure the backlash, or will family pressure tear them apart?

As all these threads unfold, Walford simmers with betrayal, heartbreak, and danger. Max’s kiss with Zoe threatens to implode the Slater family. Joel’s spiral endangers those closest to him and exposes the dark realities of toxic masculinity. Ravi’s schemes put Kojo in jeopardy. Suki and Eve fight to hold on to their love. And Phil faces a reckoning with his pride.

The cliffhangers come thick and fast, leaving fans desperate to know what’s next. Will Stacy expose Max and Zoe’s secret? Can Joel be stopped before he causes even more harm? Will George save Kojo from Ravi’s trap? And will Suki and Eve defy the odds to create a family of their own?

One thing is certain: in Walford, no secret stays buried for long, and every choice has consequences.