‘Hysteria!’ Recap: ‘The Satanic Panic’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

HYSTERIA! -- "The Satanic Panic" Episode 101 -- Pictured: (l-r) Julie Bowen as Linda Campbell, Emjay Anthony as Dylan, Nolan North as Gene Campbell -- (Photo by: Daniel Delgado/PEACOCK)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the Series Premiere of ‘Hysteria!’

​One particular question we are asking often these days, is how did we get to this point? Which is a broad question that applies to a bevy of concerns. For instance, our society is super polarized, with people making politics a huge part of their identity now and there are folks digging in hard from a religious standpoint. Not to mention, people are doing some fascinating things when it comes to the desire to be seen and noticed by the world. For instance, cosplayers will pay tribute to the death of a famous person by posting a ‘tribute’ in costume that draws attention to their skills, rather than just paying respects, and others will do stupid stuff to enjoy clout. All of which just leaves us scratching our heads because this doesn’t seem like behavior we should see in our modern world, and we don’t know how it came to this.

But there are answers to this, and honestly, we merely need to look back at our past to better understand how such behaviors took root and are rampant now, and it just so happens that Peacock and USA Network are now home to a horror story that will examine such matters, while scaring the hell out of us. A feat that Hysteria! accomplishes by transporting us back to the past. To the year 1989 to be exact, in the small Midwest town of Happy Hallow to be more precise. Wherein we meet a trio of teenagers named Dylan, Spud and Jordy, who yearn to be popular and would love for everyone to appreciate their band, and they find quite the opportunity to make that happen in ‘The Satanic Panic’. For a jock goes missing in this story, and the strange circumstances surrounding his exit speak to the possibility that something evil is happening in this small town.

That, and a surprise moment between Dylan and his crush, prompts the band to go dark and tie their music with satanic death metal. Which piques everyone’s attention and gives them the clout they so desire. But there are problems that come with hitting the limelight in such a manner. For their desire to do this in the midst of a crisis, prompts so many to begin to wonder if something genuinely evil is happening here, and that brings stunning fear to this town, and some strange occurrences as well. That speak to something sinister hiding in the shadows of this town after all. Which is… the perfect way to explore the central theme present here. Since that does indeed showcase why people are willing to do sink to low levels for clout, and it involves, being marginalized. Because that’s hard to reconcile, not being someone that is seen or matters… so those folks believe that it is worth their while to go for it and see what it is like to be noticed regardless of what type of attention it brings.

But what’s amazing about this intelligent and delightfully 80s story, is that it also harbors, some genuinely unsettling moments of horror. After all, the opening sequence where the jock is kidnapped, is about as scary as it gets and harkens back to the slashers of the era. Not to mention, the lurking darkness in this town is also unsettling. Because there really does seem to be something quite evil hanging out in Happy Hallow and it would seem a lot of what happened here, has awakened it. As though bringing harm to an innocent allowed for this darkness to thrive. Not to mention that ending, and those visuals really do leave add to the mystique of the story. Plus, it is also quite exciting that the show has more commentary waiting in the wings regarding that central question we are all asking in 2024.

Because clearly, the desire for some to have everyone return or join sweet baby Jesus, alongside the fear present in this town and the distrust that is growing… speaks volumes to some deep discussions on Modern America and the division we are currently battling, and the origins of it, and all of that makes, for a magnificent series premiere. For this is horror at its finest. After all, it has something for everyone. Because there’s scares abound and intense moments that chill, plus there’s fine commentary to be found within the framework of the show and above all, there are some horror legends present here. Since Anna Camp is True Blood royalty, and Bruce Campbell needs to introduction, just our awe. Because Hail to the King, baby. All of which just makes for a delightful watch, one that has us ready for more and ready for answers regarding what the hell is happening in Happy Hallow. Until next time.

To learn more about the creation of this series, visit our interviews with Co-Showrunners Matthew Scott Kane and David A. Goodman, and cast members, Emjay Anthony, Chiara Aurelia, and Kezii Curtis.

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