Fantasia 2019 review: SATANIC PANIC is the perfect horror comedy for the ADD generation

In the 80s, the “Satanic Panic” referred to the popular mass delirium that believed teenagers were being infected with Satanic thoughts through popular culture mainstays like music, film, and even Dungeons & Dragons. Directed by Chelsea Stardust, the new horror comedy Satanic Panic doesn’t exactly address the hysterical response to purported Satanic messages sneaking their way to the minds of impressionable teenagers worldwide, but it does maintain the feeling that something is definitely off in the clean-cut suburban landscape.

The film stars Hayley Griffith as Sam, a pizza delivery driver who’s tasked with delivering a pile of pizzas out into the suburbs of Dallas. Her dorky co-worker claims he once saw an orgy at the same address, while noting that he never even received a tip. Despite the warning, Hayley travels out to the stately home, where she is indeed stiffed on a tip. Frustrated by the dismissal, she finds a way to enter the home, interrupting a Satanic service being presided over by Danica Ross (a wonderfully hammy Rebecca Romijn). As it turns out, Danica is in need of a virgin in order to bring about the return of Baphomet, and sets her sights on Hayley to serve as a sacrifice.

Based on a script by Grady Hendrix (author of My Best Friend’s Exorcism and Paperbacks From Hell, one of our favourite pop culture books from 2017), Satanic Panic rides a fine tonal line between black comedy and outright horror. The dialogue is fun and snappy, but the film never skimps on the gore, ensuring that the stakes remain high even as the wisecracks keep flying.

The film features great supporting roles from Jerry O’Connell and AJ Bowen, but it’s the intense, bickering relationship between Haley and Danica’s badass daughter Judi (Ruby Modine) that really locks the film into its groove.

Like a YA take on Ti West’s The House of the Devil, Satanic Panic is the sort of classic teen horror film that coasts on the charisma of its young stars. At a breezy 85-minutes, the film never wears out its welcome; it’s the perfect horror comedy for the ADD generation.