Hysteria! Review – Bruce Campbell Rocks Fun Satanic Panic Teen Horror

The month of October usually welcomes a plethora of horror-themed content, released just in time for spooky season, and the biggest highlight of this year’s offerings is supernatural horror comedy. Hysteria! With a rock cast, a captivating story and palpable energy, Hysteria! is a charming new show that will win the hearts of today’s teens and those who grew up in the era in which it is set.

Hysteria! Goodbye

Hysteria! takes place in a small conservative town in the late 1980s, amid the Satanic Panic, as a group of teenagers with a garage band decide to start a fake cult to make themselves more popular. When a local boy is found murdered, things spiral out of control and they find themselves embroiled in a conspiracy bigger than they could ever have imagined.

It’s interesting to see Satanic Panic explored in this way – where the characters aren’t actually Satanists. This makes the characters a little more sympathetic to the average viewer, as they are not an affront to any values; they’re just kids making stupid choices, which everyone can relate to. While some of the show’s more complex themes aren’t explored as well, they are addressed late in the season in a way that creates fertile ground for a second season.

The central mystery of a teenager’s murder investigation is for the most part solid, if conventional. That being said, many viewers might not care as much about this aspect of the story after about the third episode. It’s simply the catalyst that sets off all the other events in the story that are more interesting.

Which sets Hysteria! apart from the equally nostalgic and horror-tinged teenage mysteries (*cough* Stranger Things *cough*) that’s it Hysteria! actually makes the viewer care about the characters beyond the central mystery. It offers a truly compelling coming-of-age story and teen romance that goes beyond pure aesthetic homage to truly capture the magic of the media era it emulates.

Indeed, Hysteria! doesn’t get caught up in trying to recreate the superficial visuals of the late ’80s. There are the costumes and the soundtrack, and while those things are fun, it doesn’t try too hard to be retro. Other aspects of the show, like the CGI, are certainly modern and further contribute to its distinct visual identity.

With shows like this, the teenagers who make up the central cast are essential to the success, and Hysteria! delivers a set that will soon become iconic. Emjay Anthony (Krampus) plays the lead role and brings a silly but lovable and sincere charm to the role. He’s flanked by fun turns from Chiara Aurelia and Kezii Curtis, who play his best friends, and Jessica Treska, who is sinisterly fun to watch as the love interest.

There are also some good performances from the supporting cast, some from recognizable faces of horror and others from newcomers to the genre. Although he is billed as a “special guest star”, Bruce Campbell (The evil deaths) has a huge – and impressive – supporting role as the town sheriff, bringing his usual charm to the role in a way that makes the character more nuanced. On the other hand, that of Anna Camp (Perfect pitch) the performance as an evangelical whistleblower doesn’t have a lot of nuance but is very engaging and super entertaining. Garrett Dillahunt (army of the dead) and Julie Bowen (Modern family) are also solid in their roles.

East Hysteria! Is it worth watching?

Hysteria! is a ton of fun, offering a good balance of laughs, thrills, and gripping coming-of-age drama. For those looking to scratch the itch left by other teen horror thrillers like Stranger Thingsthis show will satisfy with eight binge-worthy episodes.

Hysteria! is now streaming on Peacock. All eight episodes reviewed.

Hysteria! Review – Bruce Campbell Rocks Fun Satanic Panic Teen Horror

Hysteria! is an enjoyable new teen horror series with a terrific cast, a solid mystery, and compelling characters. It will be a great time for both today’s teenagers and those who grew up during the show’s era.