Stranger Things fans are eagerly awaiting the release of season five, but many have been rewatching earlier episodes and questioning the name of the Hellfire Club, the Dungeons & Dragons group led by Eddie Munson. In the show, the club is blamed for strange events in Hawkins, but fans have debated whether the name was a poor choice given the satanic panic surrounding D&D.
One fan on Fandom asked: "Was 'Hellfire Club' a poor name choice? If D&D was already notorious for supposedly having Satanic roots, and if Eddie really wanted to convince people that it was merely a fantasy game, why did they call themselves Hellfire Club?"
Responses varied, with some suggesting Eddie may have chosen the name for its cool factor or as provocation. However, it turns out the name has historical roots in 18th-century British and Irish clubs for wealthy aristocrats known as rakes, who engaged in debauchery and blasphemy. A statement on PocketMags explains that these clubs were notorious for their immoral activities and have since become surrounded by folklore.
One fan noted: "Probably just provocation from Eddie, as it should be, plus the historical Hellfire Club is a British aristocratic gentlemen’s club from the XVIIIth century. So it’s definitely cool." Another agreed, expressing surprise at finding someone else who knew the historical origins.
