Universal Studios
Set in the fictional suburb of Happy Hollow, Michigan, circa 1989, Hysteria! taps into the Satanic Panic of the ‘80s with a mix of horror, satire, and teenage angst so thick you could spread it on toast.
The story follows a group of metalhead misfits—Dylan, Jordy, and Spud—who, in a moment of teenage brilliance, decide to lean into the Satanic rumors plaguing their town by branding their band “Dethkrunch” as full-blown devil worshippers.
Unfortunately, what starts as an edgy marketing gimmick quickly spirals into a town-wide meltdown featuring disappearances, a nasty adult-only rash, exorcisms, and what might (or might not) be actual demons. As chaos erupts, our teens must clear their names while trying not to get burned at the metaphorical stake—though, given the public exorcism in the season finale, that
The show throws us into a world where adults are freaking out, kids are playing with fire (literally and figuratively), and you’re never quite sure if you’re watching a supernatural horror series or just an extremely dark PSA about parental overreaction.
By the time the final episode rolls around, most of the major threads are tied up—but not so neatly that fans aren’t left squinting at the screen asking, “Wait… was that Satan?”
Let’s talk characters. Dylan (Emjay Anthony) leads the band with all the confidence of a teenager who’s never had a plan backfire—until it does, catastrophically. He’s relatable, impulsive, and just trying to impress a girl, which unfortunately turns him into the poster child for small-town Satanism.
Jordy (Chiara Aurelia) brings goth realness and emotional depth to the group; she’s the sharp-tongued outcast with a heart of steel, and her scenes investigating the town’s secrets are among the show’s most compelling. Then there’s Spud (Kezii Curtis), who serves as the group’s MVP of comic relief. He’s a bit underwritten, but his quips are gold, and he gets some great moments in the finale that hint at untapped potential.
The adults, of course, are fully losing their minds.
Anna Camp plays Tracy Whitehead, a pious mom on a mission to save her daughter and the entire town from the clutches of Beelzebub. She hires a cult deprogrammer and spearheads a crusade that feels ripped straight from a Jerry Springer episode. She’s terrifying, tragic, and somehow still kind of sympathetic.
Julie Bowen dials down the comedy and ramps up the dread as Dylan’s mom Linda, who starts seeing visions and possibly gets possessed—or maybe she just needs a nap. Bruce Campbell, shedding his usual camp, plays Chief Dandridge with just the right amount of gravitas. He’s the guy you want in charge when the PTA starts burning sage in the parking lot.
Nikki Hahn, as Tracy’s daughter Faith, quietly steals scenes with a nuanced performance of a teen caught between guilt, trauma, and mom’s holy wrath.
The ensemble cast clicks surprisingly well, delivering performances that ground the wilder story beats. Emjay Anthony captures the awkwardness of teen rebellion, Aurelia nails the outsider-with-edge vibe, and Curtis brings timing and charm, even when he’s just yelling “DUDE” in the background. Among the grown-ups, Camp and Bowen bring more layers than expected, and Bruce Campbell’s straight-man routine works shockingly well. Even side characters like Garret Dillahunt’s shady Reverend and Jessica Treska’s mysterious Judith add spice to the already spicy chili of chaos.
And then there are the fan theories—oh, the glorious theories.
Is there an actual demon wreaking havoc? Or is the real monster just mass hysteria fueled by too much tabloid TV and not enough parenting?
One camp says yes, the supernatural is real, citing horned visions, adult rashes, and Linda’s questionable behavior.
Others argue it’s all just panic-induced group psychosis, pointing out that most of the actual damage is done by humans being… well, human.
A third theory splits the difference, suggesting that the kids may have accidentally summoned something real by pretending too hard—which, to be fair, would be a very metal way to go.
Which theory is right? In a clever decision, no answer confirms which theory is right, and that ambiguity is half the fun. It invites rewatching, frame-by-frame clue hunting, and more Reddit threads than any canceled series deserves.
Undeniably entertaining, Hysteria! Season One perfectly captures the 80s and is a jolt of nostalgia for heavy metal and horror fans.
Unlike the similar Stranger Things, any depiction of genuine fear or terror, Hysteria! plays the scenario with it’s tongue planted firmly in cheek. Despite an unfortunate cancellation, Hysteria! delivers weirdness, dark humor and Satanic hijinks and it’s physical release preserves the fun for years to come.
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