A Review of ‘Hysteria!’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

HYSTERIA! -- "The Satanic Panic" Episode 101 -- Pictured: Julie Bowen as Linda Campbell -- (Photo by: PEACOCK)

It is definitely safe to say that modern pop culture is heavily influenced by the 1980s, for several reasons. After all, a great deal of creatives who grew up in that epic decade, are now in charge of storytelling and are paying homage to the best parts of the 80s in their work. Not to mention, the decade really did offer up some iconic stories, the kind that we are still in love with today. To the point where children of the 80s are showing their kids the stories they grew up on, making those epic tales generational in nature and course… it was also… a super important decade in horror history. Since it was filled to the brim with groundbreaking horror features whose elements and tropes are still in use to this day.
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In addition to all of that, the nostalgia for the era is at an all-time high, and that’s allowing for stories set in that decade to come to life often, allowing for this decade to dominate pop culture in the 21st Century. And it just so happens that a brand-new series on Peacock, serves as the perfect tribute to all the best parts of that era, including the genre that dominated the day. A feat that Hysteria! accomplishes by offering up a story that is not only set in 1989 but is a horror story in its own right. One that plunges us into the lovely town of Happy Hollow at the height of the Satanic Panic, and well… something dark is happening in this lovely town.

For one of the most popular kids in school has gone missing, and there are many who wonder if some sort of evil force from outside of the town has brought about his disappearance. A fear that only grows when a local band, comprised of everyday teens, seek to piggyback on that notion by posing as a band that is all about that Satanic lifestyle. But when the darkness in this town grows and more strange occurrences take place, questions rise regarding this band’s role in the whole mess. All of which gives rise, to a fantastic horror series. One that really does impress in so many ways. Starting with the fact, that it really is a perfect tribute to 1980s horror. Since it gets the vibes right, and the look right as well. In fact, just about every single shot in this story has that perfect glow and VHS wash that everyone associates with 80s horror. But the wonder of this story goes beyond its ability to fit into the zeitgeist of 2024 nostalgia.

Because this is also a hyper intelligent homage, one that puts the Satanic Panic on display, something that was a weird and wildly big deal in the late 1980s, and while it thankfully burned out in the early 1990s, the paranoia and the division it created has relevance here. Since there are moments in this series that feel eerily reminiscent of today, and the division we currently harbor from a political standpoint, and even the strange push from the church to be relevant and dominant in matters both political and moral in 2024 finds root here, giving rise to commentary on the cyclical nature of our society. Not to mention, even the band just hopping on the bandwagon has its own bit of commentary, regarding our current obsession with trends and clout. Which in turn just adds to the majesty of this series, because good commentary like that is often found in great horror and that’s really what this series is, and it backs that up… with some stunning scares as well.

For what happens in this town is genuinely creepy, and the scares are both original and familiar. Thanks to moments that either pay homage to the slasher and horror stories of the 80s or offer something refreshing and new, and all of these elements blend together to bring forth a must-see series for Halloween. Because it really is something quite special and something quite delightful. Since it is the perfect blend of scares and intelligence, and the tribute to a beloved era is never overwhelming. Courtesy of some amazing writing that’s been put forth by co-showrunners Matthew Scott Kane and David A. Goodman, and it also doesn’t hurt that this series boasts a stunning cast. One that features Anna Camp and Julie Bowen, and even horror legend Bruce Campbell gets in on the fun, and the principal cast, consisting of Emjay Anthony, Chiara Aurelia, and Kezii Curtis hold their weight as well.

But the best news of all, is that you don’t have to wait to enjoy this series, in fact… you have a bevy of options when it comes to watching it. For all eight episodes are on Peacock now, and if you don’t have Peacock, but do happen to have cable, you can watch it weekly on USA Network starting tonight, and we hope you give it a look. For this really is quite the unique horror series, one that truly blends together so many wonderful elements of nostalgia and commentary, about a wild moment in time. Courtesy of a grand exploration regarding how Americans struggle to adapt with the ever-changing times.

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