Reviewed by Colin Jacobson (April 24, 2025)
Back in the 1980s, suburban parents all across the USA became terrified that Heavy Metal music would turn their kids into Satan worshipers. For a period mix of comedy and horror that looks at this topic, we go to Hysteria!, a 2024 Peacock series.
Set in 1989, we go to small-town Michigan to see how small-town – and previously controversy-free – Happy Hollow deals with potential tragedy. This points toward devil music!
This two-disc set includes all eight of Season One’s episodes. The synopses come from the package’s liner notes.
Hysteria: “A popular teenager goes missing, and a local band rides that momentum to sell concert tickets.”
Though the Blu-ray’s case lists this as Season One of Hysteria!, it turns out to give us the complete series. I guess the show didn’t do the ratings Peacock wanted, as they cancelled it after this batch of eight episodes.
Whether that becomes a shame remains to be seen, as I can’t judge an entire season/series after a single episode. Whether Program One rocks or sucks, it doesn’t tell the whole story.
The opening show neither rocks nor sucks, honestly. It brings us a perfectly serviceable introduction to the characters and premise but doesn’t do much more than that.
Actually, I probably overstate the utilitarian vibe of the episode, as it works more than acceptably well. It brings us into the series with reasonable wit and punch.
That said, I don’t think the pilot knocks it out of the park in any way. While it offers a good opening, it doesn’t really impress. Still, I remain curious to see where we go from here.
Die Young: “There is a development in the missing persons case. The town gathers for an event at the church.”
Given the promotion for the series, one might Hysteria! to lean toward nutty 80s parody territory like Hot Tub Time Machine. However, while it comes with some comedy at times, the series seems much more serious than I anticipated.
Well, through the first two episodes, at least. “Die Young” gives us a foreboding tone that focuses more on the series’ burgeoning sense of evil than the campy 80s theme.
This doesn’t flop in terms of “Die Young”, but it also doesn’t really excite. While the episode manages to advance the overall narrative in an adequate manner, it seems a bit all over the place and doesn’t propel matters forward with a lot of drive.
Can I Play With Madness?: “Dethkrunch holds an official cult meeting. Linda (Julie Bowen) seeks to understand what’s happening to her.”
If nothing else, “Play” manages to embrace the silliness and comedy of the series’ subject matter. After the unconvincing darkness of the prior show, this comes as a relief.
Not that “Play” delivers a laughfest, as it still digs into some horror and drama. However, it balances the various tonal choices better than the first two programs and gives Hysteria! a bit of forward momentum.
Dance Macabre: “Dylan (Emjay Anthony) and Judith (Jessica Treska) make their relationship official. Faith (Nikki Hahn) attempts normalcy for a night.”
After “Play” gave Hysteria! a kick in the pants, “Dance” continues that positive trend. It also manages to mix comedy and darkness in a satisfying manner and gives me optimism the second half of Season One will maintain this momentum.
Mother: “A romance forms between Faith and Ryan (Brandon Butler). Tracy (Anna Camp) fears Faith may be on the same path she was as a teen.”
As we move past the series’ midpoint, we get a potentially major new character: “The Reverend” (Garret Dillahunt), someone who claims he can “deprogram” sinning young minds. This role allows us a flashback to see a younger Tracy (Anna Lore) and imply what sent her down her Bible-thumping path.
We see less of the series’ usual main character than usual, but “Mother” nonetheless advances the overall narrative well. Toss in cameos from cult faves Jeffrey Combs and Barbara Crampton as Tracy’s parents and “Mother” becomes a winner.
Speaking in Tongues: “The cultists must deal with the fallout from Homecoming. Tracy encourages Faith to play her part.”
After most of “Mother” went with flashbacks, “Tongues” brings us back to the series’ present day. It lacks the great impact of the prior episode and can lean too hard on pure exposition, but it comes with enough drive to make it work.
It’s Late: “Dylan tries to put an end to what he started. Restless townspeople look to Tracy for leadership.”
As we steam toward the end of Season One – and the series, though no one knew that at the time – “Late” cranks up the drama. It brings together threads and steers us toward the finale in style.
Heaven’s On Fire: “Tracy gathers the town to cast evil from Happy Hollow. Dandridge (Bruce Campbell) closes in on the Reverend.
All the various plot threads convene to wrap S1. These lead us toward a pretty solid conclusion, one that ties up S1’s themes and also hints at where Season Two would go.
Or would’ve gone if Peacock had renewed the show. I can’t claim that I liked Hysteria! so much that I’ll mourn its cancellation, but I still think its one and only season offers a largely engaging tale.
