Hysteria, the new series set in 1980s Texas, takes a big swing at blending supernatural horror with social commentary. It's a heady mix of Satanic Panic, teenage rebellion, and small-town paranoia-an ambitious premise, but does it hit the mark? Like the hysteria it tries to capture, the show often feels chaotic and unfocused, but not without moments of intrigue and a few well-placed shocks.
From the first episode, Hysteria lays out its main conceit: a high school rock band becomes the center of a panic when a young girl goes missing, and the town's conservative roots quickly latch onto rumors of devil worship and occult practices. It's a reflection of a very real fear that gripped much of America in the 80s, with news stories and talk shows fanning the flames of paranoia. That sense of reality grounds the show, giving it a kind of eerie plausibility, even when the plot veers into supernatural territory.
Where Hysteria succeeds is in capturing the atmosphere of the era. The costumes, the set design, the music-they all do an excellent job of placing you squarely in the mid-80s, a time when the line between truth and urban legend was often blurred. The neon lights and heavy metal soundtrack evoke a world of rebellion, where teens are looking for escape, while adults are scrambling to maintain control. The show is best when it leans into that tension, using the Satanic Panic as a backdrop for exploring the real fears of a generation growing up under Reagan-era conservatism.
But the show falters when it tries to do too much. The narrative often spins out in different directions, introducing subplots and characters that don't feel fully developed. The supernatural elements, while spooky at times, feel tacked on rather than integral to the story. The series would've benefitted from focusing more on the psychological and sociopolitical dynamics of the panic itself, rather than relying on the occasional cheap scare.
That said, the cast delivers solid performances, especially the young leads. They carry the emotional weight of the story, their fear and confusion reflecting the larger chaos swirling around them. While Hysteria doesn't fully realize its potential, it still offers a compelling-if uneven-look at one of America's strangest cultural moments. There's enough here to keep you watching, even if you're left wanting more coherence by the end.
From the first episode, Hysteria lays out its main conceit: a high school rock band becomes the center of a panic when a young girl goes missing, and the town's conservative roots quickly latch onto rumors of devil worship and occult practices. It's a reflection of a very real fear that gripped much of America in the 80s, with news stories and talk shows fanning the flames of paranoia. That sense of reality grounds the show, giving it a kind of eerie plausibility, even when the plot veers into supernatural territory.
Where Hysteria succeeds is in capturing the atmosphere of the era. The costumes, the set design, the music-they all do an excellent job of placing you squarely in the mid-80s, a time when the line between truth and urban legend was often blurred. The neon lights and heavy metal soundtrack evoke a world of rebellion, where teens are looking for escape, while adults are scrambling to maintain control. The show is best when it leans into that tension, using the Satanic Panic as a backdrop for exploring the real fears of a generation growing up under Reagan-era conservatism.
But the show falters when it tries to do too much. The narrative often spins out in different directions, introducing subplots and characters that don't feel fully developed. The supernatural elements, while spooky at times, feel tacked on rather than integral to the story. The series would've benefitted from focusing more on the psychological and sociopolitical dynamics of the panic itself, rather than relying on the occasional cheap scare.
That said, the cast delivers solid performances, especially the young leads. They carry the emotional weight of the story, their fear and confusion reflecting the larger chaos swirling around them. While Hysteria doesn't fully realize its potential, it still offers a compelling-if uneven-look at one of America's strangest cultural moments. There's enough here to keep you watching, even if you're left wanting more coherence by the end.