Review: Hysteria! Peacock's Take on the 80s Satanic Panic Era
"Hysteria!" is a supernatural horror-comedy that draws inspiration from a dark and serious period in American history known as the satanic panic, characterized by a surge of baseless allegations involving cults engaging in ritualistic child abuse across the nation.
The juxtaposition of horror and comedy can really highlight the absurdity of the panic and the hysteria surrounding it. By weaving in elements of satire, you explore how fear and misinformation can lead to devastating consequences, all while delivering some laughs.
The satanic panic is a rich backdrop, filled with paranoia, sensationalism, and the very real impact on individuals and families. Its interesting to create characters who embody different reactions to the panic—those who are swept up in the fear, skeptics trying to expose the truth, and perhaps even those who exploit the situation for personal gain.
The combination of ‘80s nostalgia, rock music, and horror creates a unique vibe that can really resonate with fans of both classic horror and teen dramas. Starting with a shocking scene like this series did, sets the tone perfectly, blending humor and horror right from the get-go.
Bruce Campbell and Julie Bowen bring a lot of star power. Plus, tapping into that heavy metal aesthetic adds an extra layer of fun, especially when the soundtrack features iconic tracks that enhance the mood. Opening with the song "Heaven Is a Place on Earth," the initial scene plunges us into 1980s suburbia, where we witness a teenage girl preparing to engage in intimacy with a good-looking high school football player. However, their encounter is abruptly interrupted by a masked intruder who forcefully abducts them and throws them into a van with chilling implications. This gripping introduction sets the tone for the forthcoming events in the show, leaving little doubt about the suspenseful journey ahead.
The news reports the disappearance of a popular jock without mentioning the girl, while a reporter at the scene highlights an inverted pentagram on the family's home, creating a sense of Satanism in the air. This catches the attention of Dylan, Jordy, and Spud, three high school students struggling to launch their heavy metal band, Death Krunch. Inspired by the notion that "Satanists are cool," Dylan proposes that their band adopts a devout Satanist image to capitalize on the missing person case and boost their music career. Jordy and Spud eventually agree, and the trio fully immerse themselves in worshipping the Devil.
Unexpectedly, the town's religious individuals and the police chief, played by horror icon Bruce Campbell, start suspecting that the trio's "cult" might be linked to the kidnapping. This twist adds depth to the story, making "Hysteria!" an engaging narrative that goes beyond the initial premise.
The idea of the trio leveraging the town's paranoia to boost their band is both clever and hilarious. It captures the youthful desire for recognition and the lengths people will go to for a taste of fame, even if it means embracing something as outrageous as "devil worship."
Bruce Campbell's character adds a perfect layer of charm and horror, given his legacy in the genre. It’ll be intriguing to see how he balances the absurdity of the situation with his character’s authority and perhaps even skepticism.
The escalating conflict between the trio and the town's religious fervor opens the door for some great satire. You can explore how misinformation and fear can spiral out of control, leading to hilarious yet dark consequences. Plus, it gives plenty of opportunities for memorable confrontations and character development as the trio navigates the fallout from their scheme.
The monsters targets the adults. By shifting the focus to the adults and their conflicts, you create a richer narrative that explores the complexities of small-town dynamics. It’s a smart way to highlight how hysteria affects different generations, illustrating that the real horror often lies in human behavior rather than supernatural elements.
The combination of humor and deeper themes around fanaticism adds a unique twist, allowing for both campy fun and moments of genuine reflection. It sounds like Kane is striking a balance between playful clichés and meaningful commentary, which can make for a more engaging viewing experience. The gradual reveal of plot twists keeps the audience invested, creating anticipation and a sense of mystery that enriches the story.
Despite its cleverly crafted style and adequately eerie cinematography, Hysteria! eventually reveals its heavy reliance on one main twist. As this twist is unveiled halfway through, it becomes increasingly clear that the series lacks substance in its final episodes. While the narrative takes bold steps towards a more perilous direction, it fails to fully embrace the dark and chilling themes it hints at. This is also evident in the portrayal of "demonic possession," which showcases impressive CGI in the climax but lacks a clear direction. Ultimately, the story lacks a crucial element needed to provide a more intricate and satisfying resolution.
Instead of a fulfilling conclusion, the series offers touching moments of friendship among the main trio (Death Krunch forever, baby) and delivers poetic justice to the various despicable characters, regardless of age. However, as the end credits roll, it's evident that Hysteria! falls short of reaching its full potential. Despite not being a complete success for first-time creator and showrunner Matthew Scott Kane, the series does highlight his talent and affinity for horror (as well as his refined taste in music). While the future of Hysteria! remains uncertain in terms of finding its audience, there is optimism that Kane will continue to produce compelling work. Personally, I eagerly anticipate his next project.
Hysteria! has a lot going for it, even if it stumbles a bit in its final act. The blend of heartfelt moments with the chaos of a horror-comedy can be really compelling, especially when you have a strong connection to the characters.
It's annoying when a series doesn’t fully capitalize on its intriguing setup, especially with such promising themes and visuals. But it’s great that Kane’s passion for the genre shines through, as that often leads to growth in future projects. The love for the music and the horror elements could definitely set the stage for something even more ambitious next time.
Given that he’s shown a knack for blending nostalgia with horror, it’ll be exciting to see how he evolves his storytelling in future endeavors.
All 8 episodes of Hysteria! are now streaming on Peacock.
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