Hysteria is an upcoming streaming series set to drop on Peacock this October. Alongside an enthralling cast of horror legends, Modern Family star Julie Bowen and more are on edge following the sudden disappearance of a young football star. Two-time Emmy award-winner Bowen stars as Linda Campbell and her son, Dylan, views the situation as an impetus to form a heavy metal rock band called Dethkrunch.
Hysteria Takes Place During Satanic Panic
While the Campbell family is watching the news, Dylan spots a familiar face that has been reported missing: his classmate and star varsity quarterback Ryan Hudson. As he and his friends weren’t finding success with their tunes, Campbell decided that switching genres to heavy metal should make them more favorable. Their theory proves correct as large crowds can be seen jamming out at one of their shows. As more odd and eerie occurrences start to infest the small town of Happy Hollow, Michigan during the 1980s, residents begin to consider if the burgeoning high school musicians are to blame.
While the story of Dylan and Dethkrunch isn’t based in reality, the paranoia surrounding the paranormal was. Much like it was depicted in the last season of the Netflix phenomenon Stranger Things, the Satanic Panic was a period in which people alleged that those with lived alternative lifestyles often had ties to the devil.
It was in part kicked off or exacerbated due to the release of mainstream horror films including Rosemary’s Baby and The Exorcist. The rise of interest in rock and roll music with dark, macabre lyrics such as Judas Priest and the role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons were frequently targeted for causing impressionable minds to be manipulated.
Inspired by the Trump Administration and “Fake News”
The co-creator and showrunner of Hysteria Matthew Scott Kane has gained past experience in entertainment as a PA on notable series including It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia and American Horror Story. Kane drew on the atmosphere in 2019 as Donald Trump was serving as President of the United States to make Hysteria. The rise of subjectivity and terms like “fake news” harkened Kane back to the mindset of those who believed in the panic of the 1980s.
While in conversation with USA Network, Kane shared “I felt like there was a period we were going through where both facts and our own sense of reality were becoming very warped. Everything started to feel more subjective. ” The miscommunication between loved ones can be seen in the series as Dylan’s ill-advised motivation and the parents of the town’s actions are shown to complement one another.
Evil Dead and Hereditary Stars in Hysteria
Sam Raimi’s close collaborator Bruce Campbell was recently seen in the MCU sequel Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness as the gut-busting Pizza Poppa. He returns to his horror roots sans Sam to star in the limited Peacock serves as chief of Police Chief Dandridge. As opposed to his regarded role as Ash Williams and his string of cameo appearances in Raimi’s features, Dandrige is more straight-laced than wise-cracking.
Speaking of returning to their horror roots, Hereditary breakthrough star Milly Shapiro also joins as Ingrid. Her character is described as a nerdy kid based on Stephen King’s Carrie that’s often made an object of ridicule by her peers. The prolific voice actor Nolan North, known for his starring roles as Nathan Drake and Desmond Miles in the acclaimed Uncharted and Assassin’s Creed video games is also in the upcoming horror comedy.
North will be playing Linda Campbell’s husband and Dylan’s father Gene. He’s described as an All-American who feels content with the suburban life he’s built with his family. He is as skeptical as Linda about their son’s interest in Satanism and his rise of panic in the town as strange occurrences become more prevalent.
Final Thoughts
There are no two harder genres that require strong writing and artistic expression than horror and comedy. Hysteria creators Matthew Scott Kane and David A. Goodman have demonstrated their ability to create a wholly unique and creative story with quality music that has genuine appeal to audiences. The strong cast as well is proof that this will be a creepy and entertaining series that will draw in large numbers.
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