Stranger Things season 4: Was the Hellfire Club a real thing?
Stranger Things season 4 is almost here! We’ve been waiting nearly three years, but we know it’s going to be worth it. After all, we’ve got supersized episode lengths headed our way!
We already knew Stranger Things season 4 would be split into two volumes. Netflix announced the first seven episodes of the nine installments will be released May 27 as part 1, with episodes 8 and 9 saved for when the show returns a few weeks later on July 1.
New seasons usually bring in new elements. And that’s also the case for the science fiction show. One new element introduced is The Hellfire Club. And it seems like we’re going to learn about it early on as that’s the title of the very first episode of the fourth season.
The Hawkins High Hellfire Club is an official Dungeons & Dragons club. New character Eddie Munson, played by actor Joseph Quinn, is the head of the group. We know for sure that Mike and Dustin will join the club.
The Duffer Brothers, aka the creators of Stranger Things, are known for including real-life elements and many references to the ’80s. So, was the Hellfire Club real?
Was the Hellfire Club a real thing?
When you search “Hellfire Club,” a couple of things will pop up. Technically, yes, it was a real club. But it’s not clear if it’s going to have a direct correlation to the D&D game the boys will be playing in season 4.
18th century Hellfire Club
In reality, it refers to several exclusive clubs for high-society rakes that was established in Britain and Ireland in the 18th century. The one most known is Sir Francis Dashwood’s Order of the Friars of St. Francis of Wycombe. Rumor has it the clubs served as the meeting places for those who wished to take part in what were socially perceived as immoral acts. Many of the members were people involved in politics. The first official Hellfire Club was founded in London in 1718, by Philip, Duke of Wharton and a handful of other high-society friends.
Marvel’s Hellfire Club
We all know how our favorite young heroes are geeks, so the title might be referring to comics. The Hellfire Club is also a fictional society that appears in Marvel Comics. The club members often come into confrontation with the X-Men. The social club is for wealthy elites and its Inner Circle seeks to influence world events because of their own agenda. The group first appears in The Uncanny X-Men #129, issued January 1980.
How does this connect to Dungeons & Dragons and the club at Hawkins High? Right now, it’s hard to tell. They may have just taken the name. Or maybe it is somehow related to the 18th century club and the Marvel group. We’ll find out very soon!
Stranger Things season 4 volume 1 drops May 27 on Netflix.