If you thought The Handmaid’s Tale was just another dystopian drama with red robes and eerie silence, think again. This isn’t your run-of-the-mill sci-fi show. Behind every shot, every word, and every eerie glance is a rabbit hole of meaning. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or someone who got roped in by the hype (and stayed for the drama), here are 15 facts that’ll probably blow your mind—and make you see Gilead in a whole new, chilling light.
1. Wait… The Handmaids’ Names Are Their Commanders’
Let’s start with something you might have caught if you were paying close attention (or got lost down a Reddit thread). The name “Offred”? It’s not her actual name—it means “Of-Fred.” As in, she belongs to Commander Fred. Pretty messed up, right?
The show doesn’t beat you over the head with this, but once you notice it, it’s impossible to unsee. Offglen. Ofwarren. Of Joseph. They all follow the same pattern. It’s a brutal way to strip women of their identity—and in Gilead, that’s exactly the point.
Honestly, it’s one of those details that sticks with you long after the credits roll. It’s subtle, sinister, and perfectly dystopian.
2. Margaret Atwood Didn’t Make This Stuff Up—She Based Gilead on Real Laws
This part? Yeah, it’s the scary bit.
Margaret Atwood, the author behind The Handmaid’s Tale, has been very clear: everything in the book has historical precedent. That means the laws, punishments, and overall vibe of Gilead are based on actual regimes, customs, and legal systems throughout history.
From Puritan America to 20th-century Iran, from the Salem witch trials to Romania’s forced birth policies under Ceaușescu, Atwood stitched together the worst of human history. Because, you know, sometimes fiction is the only way to talk about real horror without people shutting their eyes.
3. The Red Robes? Yep, They’re Inspired by Real Catholic Garments
You know those blood-red capes the Handmaids wear? They weren’t just made to look spooky on screen.
Atwood has mentioned that the visual concept was inspired by Catholic nuns’ habits—specifically, the idea of women being veiled and cloaked as a sign of piety, modesty, and submission. In a way, it’s almost poetic… if it weren’t so horrifying.
And that shade of red? It’s not random. Red symbolizes fertility, sin, and power—three things that Handmaids embody and resist at the same time.
4. Offred’s Real Name? The Book Never Confirms It
Okay, let’s clear this up, because the show and the book treat this differently.
In the TV series, you’ll hear her called “June.” But in the book? That name never officially appears. It’s hinted at. It’s buried between chapters. But we never get 100% confirmation.
Why? Because Atwood wanted to make a point—when a regime erases your identity, even something as basic as your name becomes a whispered rebellion. Creepy? Absolutely. Powerful? No doubt.
5. The Wall? It’s Based on Real Execution Sites
If you thought the Wall in Gilead was just some scary backdrop, think again.
Atwood took inspiration from actual historical execution sites where bodies were displayed as warnings. Think medieval Europe or, more recently, totalitarian regimes where dissenters were “dealt with” publicly.
It’s meant to terrify. It works.
6. The Book Was Banned in Several U.S. Schools
You know a story’s hitting a nerve when schools try to shut it down.
Over the years, The Handmaid’s Tale has been banned or challenged in numerous American schools due to its “offensive content.” Translation: It was a little too real for some folks.
Ironically, the book being censored only proves its point—when you silence voices, you build Gilead.
7. Atwood Only Used Real Historical Events—Nothing Is “Made Up”
Here’s the thing: Atwood had a rule while writing the novel. She wouldn’t include anything that hadn’t already happened somewhere, sometime, to someone.
So when do you see Handmaids being punished, women’s rights being stripped, or freedom being rebranded as “dangerous”? Know that it’s all drawn from the real world.
That alone should send shivers down your spine.
8. Moira Was Inspired by Real Feminist Icons
You know Moira—the fierce, foul-mouthed friend who never backs down? She’s not just a character. She’s a patchwork of real feminist icons and activists Atwood admired.
From Second Wave feminists to LGBTQ+ trailblazers, Moira represents that spark of resistance that Gilead can’t quite extinguish. She’s the reminder that even in the darkest dystopia, rebellion is still possible. Loud, stubborn, and queer as hell.
9. The Testaments Won the Booker Prize in 2019
Thought Atwood was done with Gilead after The Handmaid’s Tale? Nope.
She came back with The Testaments—a sequel set 15 years later—and it slapped. The book won the prestigious Booker Prize and shared the honor with Girl, Woman, Other by Bernardine Evaristo (which, by the way, is also incredible).
The Testaments dives deep into Aunt Lydia’s twisted mind, showing how survival can warp even the strongest spirits. It’s a wild, uncomfortable ride.
10. The Show’s Music Choices Are Wildly Contrasting—On Purpose
Ever notice how the soundtrack jumps from haunting choral pieces to ‘80s bangers?
That’s no accident.
From “You Make Me Feel Like a Natural Woman” to Heart’s “Barracuda,” the music often clashes with what’s happening on screen. That contrast—syrupy sweet songs layered over brutal scenes—is a deliberate gut punch. It makes you uncomfortable. And that’s the point.
11. Serena Joy’s Backstory Was Expanded (and Complicated) in the Show
In the book, Serena Joy is a side character—a bitter, rigid woman who upholds the patriarchy with terrifying commitment.
But the show? It gives her layers. Regret, rage, calculation, manipulation… and yes, the occasional flicker of remorse.
She’s not sympathetic (not really), but she’s fascinating. And her unraveling is one of the most compelling arcs of the series. You love to hate her. Sometimes, you almost hate to love her.
12. Gilead’s Map? It’s Built on What Used to Be the U.S.
This part’s subtle, but the showrunners have confirmed it—Gilead is a religious totalitarian regime that rises within the borders of the former United States.
States like Massachusetts, Washington, and parts of the Midwest are repurposed under the new regime. It’s never clearly mapped in the book, but the show provides enough breadcrumbs—license plates, flags, regional slang—to piece it together.
What’s scarier than a dystopia far away? One that’s built in your backyard.
13. “The Eyes” Are Modeled After Real Secret Police Forces
Let’s talk about the Eyes. You know—the men (and sometimes women) watching everything. Spies in plain sight.
They’re Gilead’s secret police, modeled after real-world organizations like the Stasi in East Germany or the Gestapo under Nazi rule. The idea is simple: if you can’t trust your neighbors, your spouse, or even your kids… You control everyone through fear.
It’s psychological warfare at its finest. Or, well—it’s most horrifying.
14. There’s a Ballet Version of The Handmaid’s Tale (No, Really)
No, this isn’t satire.
In 2013, The Handmaid’s Tale was adapted into a full ballet by the Royal Winnipeg Ballet. The red robes, the rituals, the rebellion—all told through movement, music, and choreography.
Imagine Offred’s story without words—just emotion, motion, and silence. It’s haunting. And surprisingly beautiful.
15. Atwood Herself Made a Cameo in the TV Series
Yep—keep your eyes peeled during the pilot episode.
When does June (Offred) get slapped during training? That’s Margaret Atwood herself playing one of the Aunts. A blink-and-you-miss-it moment, but such a boss move.
Honestly, if you wrote a book that defined feminist dystopian literature, wouldn’t you want to show up in your adaptation?
So… What Makes The Handmaid’s Tale Hit So Hard?
It’s not just the dystopia. It’s how close it feels.
Gilead doesn’t feel like a far-off nightmare. It feels like a twisted version of something familiar—just a few steps down a very wrong path. The details—the red robes, the erasure of names, the stolen rights—they’re not plucked from fantasy. They’re echoes of our past. Warnings for the future.
And that’s what makes The Handmaid’s Tale so unforgettable. You don’t just watch it. You feel it, long after the episode ends.
So next time you stream an episode or flip through the book, keep an eye out. There’s a lot more hiding behind those red veils than you might think.
