The Darkside of Society, Narrated by Julian Sands

Many horror movies, like Texas Chainsaw Massacre pretend to be “based on a true story.” Brian Yuzna’s Society actually was, but screenwriter Woody Keith, now known as Zeph E. Daniel, did not realize it, even though it was his story. He had just repressed the horrors he endured. It is crazy stranger-than-fiction testimony you might not totally believe, but you will never be bored by Larry Wade Carrell’s documentary, The Darkside of Society, which releases today on VOD.

If you know the cult classic movie, Daniel never claims to have survived the grotesque body-horror conclusion referred to as the “Shunting.” Instead, he explains how his parents, especially his mother groomed him to be the sacrifice of a satanic ritual, much like the lead character, Bill Whitney. That’s right, the much maligned “Satanic Panic” was in fact based in grisly fact.

According to Daniel, his mother was the chief architect of his torment, or at least her satanic witch personalities. She also had nurturing Christian personalities. However, her dark side nearly killed Daniel several times.

If any of this is true, Daniel deserves great sympathy and tremendous credit for overcoming such adversity. Also, his expression of Christian forgiveness sounds genuine and laudable. On the other hand, if this is an extended put-on to create a prequel to Society that is equal parts David Lynch and Andy Kaufman then hats off to Daniel and Carell. Either way, it is an eerily fascinating film that takes the so-called “Satanic Panic” seriously, instead of trying to laugh it away.

Indeed, Darkside is unlike any other horror movie documentary, in which the cast-members prattle on about how gratifying it is to be a part of something that still means so much to the fans. Aside from Daniel, the only major cast or crew members who appear in Darkside are Yuzna and special effects artist Screaming Mad George. However, horror filmmaker Richard Stanley (who is also an abuse survivor) appears to discuss the kind of ritualistic menacing Daniel describes.

Adding a further layer of tragic spookiness, the late Julian Sands appears as an on-camera narrator. Indeed, he had a distinguished voice, worthy of Hammer Horror, which well suits the film.

Again, this is nothing like typical horror movie docs, which is why it is so distinctive and memorable. It will intrigue and unsettle viewers even if they haven’t seen Society in a very long time, if ever. Highly recommended as something very different, The Darkside of Society releases today (5/13) on VOD.