The title for Stranger Things’ Season 4 premiere has a significant X-Men reference. Netflix’s most-watched show from the past year is gearing up for its fourth season in a major way. The hype for it has already begun with the reveal of the first episode’s title, which is “Chapter One: The Hellfire Club.”
CinemaBlend’s Laura Hurley immediately noted the X-Men reference nestled in the name of Stranger Things’ Season 4 opener. What does “The Hellfire Club” callback to exactly? In the comics, The Hellfire Club is the name of a group that battles with the X-Men. What sets this particular group apart is that their public life as a club for wealthy elites actually covers something more sinister.
Their secretive Inner Circle aims to influence world events to fit their agenda. Hence, it is possible that Stranger Things may be referencing the introduction of its own version of such a group in Season 4.
The Hellfire Club was introduced in the comics when they to sabotage X-Men team member Jean Grey. Given the similarities between her and Eleven, it would make sense that a group like this on Stranger Things would target the superpowered teen. For reference, Jean Grey and Eleven both have psychokinetic powers.
The episode title may also not be a nod to anything plot specific. It could be Stranger Things’ way of acknowledging the influence that X-Men stories might have on the upcoming season’s overall vibe. Stranger Things is no stranger to sharing how certain movies have inspired the series.
When it came to its latest season, The Duffer Brothers acknowledged a non-horror film as an influence in the blockbuster installment. Could X-Men be an influence overall? Or is this a reference to a specific plot development? Based on where and how Stranger Things left off, it is tough to say.
The epilogue seemed to indicate that the kids of Stranger Things may have smaller roles in Season 4. So, they may or may not clash with this potentially introduced group. Either way, there are a lot of questions left for Season 4 to answer. Could Stranger Things' possible version of The Hellfire Club hold the key to revealing if Hopper is dead or alive?
Answers are closer than ever! This X-Men reference should be enough to ignite a lot of speculation while fans await more clues as to what is in store. A mysterious Stranger Things image already had CinemaBlend’s Mick Joest offering six theories to explain what it could mean.
How the show will use the Upside Down in Season 4 remains another compelling bit of speculation. Time will tell what it all leads too!
The first three seasons of Stranger Things are currently streaming on Netflix, along with newly arrived content. A precise release date for Season 4 has not been announced, but while you wait to return to Hawkins, check out this fall’s premieres.
