Stranger Things 4 Episode 1: The Hellfire Club: Thoughts & Analysis

I’ve been talking about Stranger Things 4 nonstop everyday (mostly to my Mom). I watched the first two episodes late at night after I had returned from a school trip, and then I couldn’t fall asleep until after 1 a.m. I was invested. 

I ended up finishing the next day and was left with thoughts ever since. However, it was only late at night yesterday that I realized I can share them–I have a blog! AND… I’ve been reading online reviews this whole time.

I am going to be discussing EVERY episode of the new season, giving my own thoughts and analysis on everything: story, characters, relationships, cinematography, etc. There is a lot to discuss, so let’s start with Chapter 1: The Hellfire Club.

We open with a bright morning in a serene neighborhood, very different and unusual from previous season openings, where 3/3 times, something bad is happening. This definitely sets a false illusion. The slow reveal and indirect characterization of Brenner was intriguing, specifically him speedrunning the crossword puzzle. It illustrated his obsession with the mind and using it as a weapon. When the scene changed to Hawkins Lab, very unsettling vibes. Also we’re thinking: Eleven, Eleven… but no, we see 010 instead. During 010’s lessons, you can sense this juxtaposition between Brenner’s voice and his inner intentions, and he eventually asks 010 to spy into another room. This is when all hell breaks loose, and the true tone of the season is set. The flashing images of the massacre is when Stranger Things breaks into full horror. The flickering lights, the sharp cuts and screams, were all very well executed. But the actual shock (although I predicted this) comes when we see Eleven standing over the corpses with blood running down the eyes. I remember thinking: Oh no! They are not going to turn Eleven evil this season?! I’m concerned. 

Then we cut to Eleven in the present, where she’s living with Will, Jonathan, and Joyce in California. Her exposition was cheesy, but I did raise my eyebrows when she talked about Will. Eleven says he’s been acting weird, he maybe likes someone, and that his painting is for a girl. There was a certain emphasis behind those lines, and I immediately recalled that season 3 scene where Mike tells Will: “It’s not my fault you don’t like girls!” Many people ended up interpreting that as Will being gay. However, I just thought it was more about Will not being interested in dating. Although, later in the classroom, when the girl next to him rubs his leg, he is visibly uncomfortable, so the writers are definitely hinting at it. Back to Eleven, she is being bullied, and while the bullying scenes feel generic, they’re painful to watch. Angela is just an ugly, monstrous human being. Period. When El decides to strike back as if she had her powers, uhh… my heart sank. Props to the teacher though. Also, it was emotional when Will ran to comfort her and said he’ll rebuild the diorama as his voice was breaking. I was especially intrigued to see the pairing of El and Will, and while I wish there were more one-on-one moments, this scene ended up solidifying their connection. Last on California, Joyce is just doing “Joyce things,” but with Murray this time. That scene of their phone call is weird but hilarious. 

Now time to talk about everything in Hawkins. In the Wheeler house, Nancy and Mike’s dynamic is chaotic as usual. Nancy is all business this season; her outfit and hairdo are uptight but at the same time wild. Mike looks more edgy. His hair is longer and rock-star-y in the back. Also, the black-and-white look of the Hellfire Club shirt, black jeans, and converse create a sharp contrast to show he’s matured. Dustin looks sharper this season as well. He’s also donning the Hellfire Club shirt, but his personality remains intact with the new Thinking Cap and colored dress shirt; he does add some style by slicking back his hair. Max looks badass but shut off from everyone else. The literal representation of that being her wearing headphones. This is because of what happened last season, and her home life is also not great. I noticed this season she primarily wears cool colors, which could represent her grief. Robin and Steve remain a charming duo, definitely more chaotic but still charming. The platonic aspect of their relationship is definitely emphasized. Meanwhile, Lucas is on the basketball team, and tonight is their championship game. Unfortunately, the climax of the Hellfire Club’s campaign, The Cult of Vecna, is supposed to occur that same night. Mike and Dustin need Lucas for the campaign, but obviously he can’t not attend the game. Lucas argues he can get them in good with the popular crowd, but Mike says it’s not what they want. My thoughts on this: I agree that Lucas can’t skip the game, but I don’t respect his intention of trying to get them in with the popular crowd. I think Mike and Dustin should be more understanding, but at the same time you can’t blame them for being terrified by Eddie. 

Flash forward to after the cafeteria scene: oh… that’s Eddie. Eddie is a little out there… but he has charisma, I guess. Eddie is the leader aka dungeon master of Hellfire, and he’s a basically rock-star mixed nerd. He’s not very happy about “Sinclair’s turn to the dark side,” so he sets Mike and Dustin to find a replacement. Max is seeing the school counselor, but she’s not the only one… Backtracking a bit here, but on the basketball team, the lead jock, Jason (ugh), is dating cheerleader Chrissy, who Max sees walking out from the office. Later in the bathroom, Max notices Chrissy in a stall throwing up. Once she’s all alone, we get the first appearance of the new villain, Vecna, who’s terrifying. He conjures flashing lights and bangs the door–all great, but it’s the personal aspect of Vecna’s attacks that I found most interesting. Vecna impersonates Chrissy’s mom who screams and body shames her; it’s unique to see that blend of horror with real life issues, especially as they offer social commentary.

On the more bright side, Mike and Dustin figure out their replacement: the one and only Erica, Lucas’ sister. Eddie’s reaction to this is hilarious, but even more hilarious is how Erica counters and completely shuts him down. She’s seriously the best. The transition from the game to Hellfire was spot on, especially how the Star-Spangled Banner music shifted to rock for Hellfire. The montage of the basketball game and Hellfire was creative and fun–the parallels between Lucas and Erica were also unique and symbolic when they both ended up winning for their respective teams. I liked how vigorous the D&D game was portrayed this season. Robin and Steve’s mouthing to each other at hearing Tammy Thompson sing, also great. After the game ends and Lucas sees his friends walking and cheering with his sister–ouch! 

Lastly, remember Chrissy. So after the bathroom incident, she goes out into the woods to buy drugs from Eddie–not cool, Eddie. They end up flirting and bonding somehow (okay, I guess), but now they’re doing the deal at night after the game. Eddie walks out of the room for a split second to find the stuff, but then Vecna puts Chrissy under his curse. Chrissy is running around screaming. She runs into her Mom, whose face is disfigured, and she’s sewing her cheerleader costume; there are spiders all on the food; her Dad’s face is all gruesome. Eventually, there’s this epic scene of Vecna slowly walking down the stairs in the darkness, slowly approaching. We still can’t see him in full light which keeps the horror-suspense. Eddie returns and from his point of view it’s not great either. Chrissy’s eyes are possessed and she begins to slowly rise up in the air, and while Vecna claws her face, her bones all twist and break, and her eyes burst out of her skull, while Eddie screams, terrified. 

Sorry for the dark ending, just recapturing the scene. Hope you enjoyed. Feel free to comment your thoughts. Stay tuned.

Final Rating: 8.8/10