Dylan Campbell only has two real friends, Jordy and Spud, but that is just enough to form a terrible heavy metal garage band. Nobody cares about their group, because there is so much cool music in the 80’s. Then, the body of Ryan Hudson, the varsity quarterback, is discovered, apparently mutilated in a ritualistic manner, so Campbell hatches an opportunistic plan to capitalize on the sudden interest in Satanism.
His bandmates think he is crazy, but when Campbell’s popular crush, Judith, agrees to be the first member of his phony “cult,” they quickly recruit new members. They also become suspects, when busybody Church-Lady Tracy Whitehead starts whipping up Satanic panic mania. However, she clearly knows more about the secret dealings in Happy Hollow than she lets on, starting with the fact her daughter Faith was abducted with Hudson. Somehow, she was released and returned home. Faith’s memory is a little fuzzy on the details, but it is just as well, since Whitehead is not eager for her to talk to the police.
Bearing the stress of the town’s suspicions takes a toll on Campbell’s family, especially his mother Linda, who starts having terrifying possession-like experiences. Yet, it is initially worth the hassle for him, because he gets to finally date Judith. Campbell is also fortunate Chief of Police Dandridge remains skeptical of all the Satanism hokum. He even runs interference for the heavy metal trio, but it would still probably be better for Campbell if the Chief did not learn he is dating his granddaughter.
Hysteria! probably sounds like a lot of fun—and sometimes it is—but too often, it undermines its good vibes. Weirdly, it never really embraces 1980s nostalgia, aside from the hair band soundtrack (including blasts from the past, like Lita Ford’s “Kiss Me Deadly”). Yet, what really smothers viewer enthusiasm like a wet blanket is the unsurprising revelation of the “real villain,” who is a predictable and divisive cliché.
Still, Hysteria! boasts the great Bruce Campbell chewing the scenery and jutting out his chin as down-to-Earth Chief Dandridge. Campbell plays it straight instead of falling back on his snarky larger-than-life persona, but he still lands all the funniest lines. Genre fans will also be delighted to see Barbara Crampton and Jeffrey Combs appearing briefly in the fifth episode flashback.
Once again, Julie Bowen plays a convincing mom, but she also has some impressive freakouts as Linda Campbell. Nolan North (whose voiceover work includes Green Lantern for DC animation and the Green Goblin for Marvel gaming projects) has some nice rapport with her as Campbell’s dad.
Arguably, Hysteria! Should have been tightened and compressed, because at its current eight episodes, it could use more creepiness, more black humor, and more 80’s period detail. It really needs more fire and brimstone too, because the core audience is going to horror enthusiasts who remember the Eighties and we like that kind of stuff. However, it is still recommended for Bruce Campbell fans, because Kane and the battery of directors understand how to showcase his talents and attitude. Casual viewers might dip into it, but Hysteria! is too inconsistent to be considered a priority when it starts streaming today (10/18) on Peacock.
